Off-campus Housing

Central Michigan University's campus residency policy requires that freshman and sophomore students live in a residence hall. Students who have completed four full-time undergraduate semesters may live in housing of their choice.

Exceptions to the policy will usually be granted if special circumstances are outlined prior to the signing of the residence hall agreement. Exceptions include:

• Living at home with parents and/or guardians and commuting within a 60-mile radius
• Married and living with spouse
• Special or guest student
• 21 years of age or older

Instead of living in on-campus residence halls or apartments, many eligible students prefer to live near campus. Many people in the Mount Pleasant area lease rooms, apartments or houses to Central Michigan University students. There are a number of options available.


Finding housing
Postings for apartments and houses are available in the classified advertising sections of local newspapers. Housing will be listed in the “for rent” section. Local newspapers include the Morning Sun, the Buyers Guide and CM Life.

Some owners post “for rent” flyers on bulletin boards on campus, in local stores and at the Office for International Education.


Apartment features
If you will not have a car while you live in Mount Pleasant, find an apartment near campus. Mount Pleasant has some rainy weather and cold, snowy winters. You will want to live close to campus so that your walk to classes is short.

Is the apartment furnished? Make sure you understand who is responsible for providing the appliances and furniture in the apartment.

Most apartments do not allow animals. If you plan on getting an animal, get permission from the owner of the apartment before you get the animal. If you have an animal where one is not allowed, you may be asked to move out of the apartment, and you may be required to pay a fine.


Your lease
You will be asked to pay a security deposit on the rental of the apartment. This deposit to the landlord is usually equal to one month of rental cost. The landlord holds this money to ensure that he or she has an extra month’s rent if you were to leave suddenly or damage the apartment. If the apartment is not damaged at the end of your lease, your deposit usually will be refunded.

Read your lease carefully before you sign it. Your lease is a legal contract with rules that you agree to follow. Check these items to make sure you and the landlord agree:

• What is the cost per month?
• What is the length of the lease?
• Who is responsible for the payment of utilities – heating, electricity, water, garbage collection, etc.?
• What is the cost of the security deposit and is the deposit refundable?
• Who is responsible for repairs to the apartment while you are living there?