How to list a room for free and fill it fast

Step 1: get the basics ready

• Weekly rent and bond. Check similar rooms near you so your price is fair from day one.
• Bills. Decide whether power, internet and water are included, or how they're split. Renters compare the total weekly cost, not just the rent.
• Room details. Size, furniture, bathroom setup, parking and the date it's available.
• House rules. Guests, pets, smoking, quiet hours and cleaning. Saying it up front saves awkward talks later.

Step 2: list it free on MateHaus

Choose List a room, sign up with Google or email, and fill in the form. Listing is free, and messaging renters is free too. A few things make it quicker:

• Already advertised the room on Facebook? Paste the link or the post text and the form fills itself in.
• Not sure what to write? Tap Write it with AI and choose Friendly, Professional or Short. It only uses the facts you've entered.
• Photos: drag them into order. The first photo is the cover, so make it the room itself in good light.

Every new room is checked by the MateHaus team before it goes live, which keeps fake listings off the site and gives renters more confidence to reply.

Step 3: write a listing that gets replies

• Lead with what matters: rent, bills, the date it's free and the type of room.
• Describe the household honestly. Who lives there, your routines and what the place is like day to day.
• Set your lifestyle answers. MateHaus lets you describe your household and who you're looking for, so renters see how well they'd match.
• Add open-for-inspection times. Renters can pick one, or suggest their own time in the chat.

Step 4: reply fast and choose well

Renters usually message several rooms at once, so the first good reply often wins. Ask a few questions about work, routines and how long they want to stay, then meet in person before agreeing to anything. Once you both accept an inspection time in the chat, each of you gets a calendar invite.

Put the rent, bond, bills and house rules in writing before move-in, and check the rules in your state for lodging a bond.

Do I need to pay to get it seen?

No. A free listing works. If you'd like more attention, upgrades are one-off and end on their own, with nothing to cancel: Featured (15 days, $24.49) shows your room ahead of free listings, Featured Plus runs for 30 days ($31.49), and Boost (7 days, $10) tops up a room that's already Featured.

Common questions

Can I list a room for free?

Yes. On MateHaus, listing a room is free and so is messaging renters. Optional one-off upgrades are available if you want more attention, but you never have to buy one.

How long does it take to list a room?

A few minutes. You can type the details, paste an existing Facebook post to fill the form, or use Write it with AI for the description. New rooms are checked by the MateHaus team before they go live.

How do I find the right person for my spare room?

Be clear about your household and house rules, set your lifestyle answers so renters can see how well they match, ask questions in the chat and meet in person before agreeing to anything.

How much should I charge for a room?

Look at similar rooms near you and compare the total weekly cost including bills. A fairly priced room with clear photos and bills spelled out usually fills faster than one priced at the top of the range.