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Housing Options
Finding Housing
After Move-In
Rental Rate Information
Tenant Tips
Tenant Tip Library
Recycling Information
A2 Housing Inspections
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Introduction
This monthly on-line newsletter has been developed for University of Michigan students who live in off-campus housing. We hope you find this to be a helpful resource and we welcome your suggestions for future Tenant Tips. Call in Tenant's Tips to 734-763-3205 or email us at housing@umich.edu.
1. Place an advertisement on the Off-Campus Housing Listings (January)
If you want to post an ad for a sublet or look at available housing, be sure to check the Housing Listings and Student Services section on this website. (A user name and password may be required for some areas.)
The listings provide the following information: address, phone number, email, lease length, furnished vs. unfurnished, type of unit (e.g., room or 2-bedroom apt.), proximity to campus and bus lines, amenities (e.g., laundry, dishwasher, garbage disposal), rental rates, and utilities included with the rent.
Since the U-M Off-Campus Housing Program does not own or inspect these units, we must rely on student-tenants and the registered property owners/managers for information about units available for rent or sublease. Ads expire after 3 weeks unless you renew or cancel your ad on-line. Landlords pay an annual fee to advertise their rentals with the Off-Campus Housing Program. There is no charge for University of Michigan student ads.
2. Winter Utilities Costs (January/February)
If you pay a monthly rental rate that includes utilities, you have the right to know what the actual charges are to your landlord. Pursuant to Ann Arbor City Ordinance 8:524, the landlord is required to provide tenant with the costs of utilities on the budget plan where tenant is paying for utilities and where such information is available from the utility company at no charge.
If any utilities are included in your rent and you would like to know the monthly charges, ask your landlord. Or, you can contact the utility company directly for information.
The following are the local utility companies and phone numbers and web sites:
Electric/Gas: DTE Energy (800)477-4747
http://my.dteenergy.com
Water/Sewer: City of Ann Arbor Water Utilities (734)994-2666
www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us/PublicServices/Water
3. Plan Now for Spring/Summer Term Housing and Subletting (January)
Subtenants for Winter and Spring/Summer term are more difficult to find than tenants for Fall term, because there are many sublets available from May through August and few potential subtenants. Sublease terms and rental rates are usually negotiable. Some of the fraternities, sororities and cooperatives also offer inexpensive rooms for rent to non-members during the spring-summer months. Sublet listing and roommate listings are available on the Student Services section of this Web site. You can place an ad on-line or respond to ads submitted by other students who are looking for a place to live. We also suggest advertising in the Michigan Daily or the Ann Arbor News for spring/summer housing. Many students post fliers around campus and have reported that the response makes the extra effort worthwhile.
If you would like further assistance, then please stop in or call the Housing Information Office at (734)763-4105.
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