Winter Utilities Costs
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 8:533, 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

Place an advertisement on the Off-Campus Housing Listings
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.

Keep the Noise Down
How loud is your stereo? According to City Code 9:364, if it exceeds 61 dB during the day (7 am - 10 pm), or 55 dB during the night, you could be subject to a $500 fine -- no warnings.
As a general guideline, the following activities are prohibited if they produce clearly audible sound beyond the property line of the property on which they are conducted:

The operation, between 10PM and 7AM of power tools or equipment; or of any device for killing, trapping, attracting or repelling insects or other pests

The sounding, between 10PM and 7AM of any bell, chime, siren, whistle or similar device, except to alert persons to the existence of an emergency, danger or attempted crime4. The operation or playing between 10PM and 7AM of any radio, television, phonograph, drum or musical instrument

The operation or use between 10PM and 7AM of any loudspeaker, sound amplifier, public address system or similar device used to amplify sounds

The use of any drums, loud-speakers, musical devices or other instruments or devices for the purpose of attracting attention by the creation of noise to any performance, show or sale or display of merchandise.

Please note, that the prohibitions of this section apply even if the sound level produced by a prohibited activity does not exceed the applicable level specified in section 9:364.

Plan now for Spring/Summer term housing and Subletting
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 classified ads in the Michigan Daily or the Ann Arbor News for advertising or seeking 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)763-3205.