Housing Options

Finding Housing

After Move-In

Rental Rate Information

Tenant Tips

Recycling Information

A2 Housing Inspections

1. What does it mean when a landlord is registered in the Off-Campus Housing Program? A registered landlord is someone who pays a yearly fee to advertise their units on this Web site. If a registered landlord uses a private lease, it has been checked for the appropriate city and state housing clauses. Landlords also agree to make a good faith effort towards conflict resolution in the event of a dispute. The Off-Campus Housing Program does not approve or endorse any landlord. We accept the terms of their rental lease and check for Fair Housing violations. We also do not conduct housing inspections but require that landlords have a “Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Ann Arbor" for each rental unit. Check here for other provided services by the Off-Campus Housing Program.
   
   
2. Take advantage of the Housing Information Office and the Housing Web site before you start looking. We have maps, rental listings, bus schedules, roommate matching services and more. Also, the advisors will be glad to sit down end give you an orientation to the housing market or just answer any questions you may have.
   
   
3. Don't sign a lease for an apartment or house unless you are certain you want it. A lease is a legally binding contract, so you remain responsible for the full rent, even if you move out.
   
   
4. If the landlord makes any promises or representation about the unit or the lease terms, get them in writing. If you are promised new furniture, $15 a month to clean the porch and hallway, guaranteed parking or whatever the case may be, make sure the lease reflects this. Verbal contracts can be impossible to enforce and some leases expressly preclude verbal agreements.
   
   
5. Don't commit yourself to a place that you can't afford! Don't put yourself in the position of signing a lease for a large place alone, and having to find people to move in and help pay for it. Each fall, there are students who rented a multi-bedroom place in the spring, and still have not been able to round up enough housemates to make the payments. Anyone who has signed the lease remains legally liable for the full rent.
   
   
6. Carefully consider whom you choose as roommates. If a cotenant fails to make payments, then the landlord can legally hold the other tenant(s) responsible.
   
   
7. Before you move in or during the first week living together with your roommates/housemates, clarify your expectations and the "house rules" for: cleaning, having visitors over, quiet time, paying bills, summer subletting, and any other issues that are important to you.
   
   
8. Get renter's insurance for your belongings. If your things get ruined or stolen for any reason other than the landlord's proven negligence, then the landlord is usually not responsible. Renter's insurance does not have to be expensive.
   
   
9. The landlord is required to provide you with a property Inventory Checklist at move-in. If you don't get a copy, ask for one. Take the time to complete it fully and return it. Keep a copy! (Inventory checklist forms are also available on-line and at the Housing Information Office.)
   
   
10. Notify the landlord of any problems immediately, and keep a written record of events and communications between you. If the problem is not satisfactorily resolved, notify us in the Housing Information Office.
    
    
11. Be a reasonable tenant. Realize that things sometimes go wrong, and give the landlord a reasonable amount of time to correct problems. Treat the unit and your neighbors with respect.