Resist the Urge to Sign Leases Early
The search for off-campus housing in Ann Arbor can be very competitive, and some students may feel pressured to search for housing a year or more in advance to have access to the best selection of rental properties. It's easy to get swept up in the housing frenzy when you see students around you searching for fall housing before you've even unpacked from summer vacation. However, early leasing is usually unnecessary, and may lead to later problems.

It's not always true that the best housing will be taken early. We advise all landlords registered with us to wait until after the annual Housing Fair in late October to post advertisements for their properties. Some landlords even hold their best properties until later in the year, to purposely avoid the early-fall frenzy.

We also advise students to wait until after the Housing Fair to begin searching for housing for the following fall. Rushing to sign a lease as early as possible may cause you to overlook problems with the rental property. Keep in mind that you'll have a whole year to get through before you'll be moving into the place. Many things can change in a year, including whether you still want to live with the people you signed the lease with. Waiting until after the Housing Fair to sign a lease will give you an opportunity to learn more about the rental process, and will allow you to be more careful, as well as informed when selecting a rental property and future roommates.

The Housing Fair will be held Monday, October 24th, from 1-5:30 in the Michigan Union. If you have any questions about where and how to look for fall housing, feel free to stop by the Housing Information Office in the Student Activities Building or call (734) 763-3205.

Agree Up Front With Roommates
You're already friends so you should get along great as roommates, right!? Don't bank on it. Roommates face challenges that many friendships aren't prepared for or don't expect to be hard to handle. For example, what are the expectations about cleaning the bathroom? The bottom line: everybody has different standards and expectations. This reality is fertile ground for problems. Solution: the Roommate Agreement Form, which is available at no charge at the Housing Information Office and on our website. Get one now, gather your roommates, discuss it, and complete the agreement.

An alternative method is for each roommate to fill out his/her own copy of the agreement. The roommates should meet to discuss their opinions, and work out any differences, so that a single agreement is completed and signed. Each roommate should get a copy of the agreement.

If roommates have problems carrying out their agreement, they should reconvene as soon as possible and modify the agreement. If problems persist, contact University Housing's Conflict Resolution Services (763-4105) for assistance in achieving a resolution.

1Does Your Apartment Need Cleaning or Repairs?
Your landlord might have promised that specific repairs or improvements would be made prior to your move-in date. If you moved in and found that these have not been done or found the apartment not cleaned, contact your landlord. Your lease might include specific instructions for submitting a work order, so refer to it first. If it does not specify instructions, call your landlord and ask where to direct your written work order request.

It is important that you keep documentation of any contact you have with your landlord in case you have difficulty getting service and need a record of your efforts (e.g., copies of letters, phone log of conversations). Note: Management uses your completed Inventory Checklist as documentation of the condition of your apartment upon move-in, not as a request for repairs.

If your landlord takes what seems to be an unreasonable amount of time to respond to your letter, follow up with another written request and contact University Housing's Conflict Resolution Services (763-4105) for advice and assistance.

Still Waiting for Your Security Deposit?
Within 30 days after the termination of your occupancy, your landlord must mail you a list of damages, the cost of repairs and the reasons why he/she intends to deduct money from your security deposit. You should receive a check for the amount of the security deposit that your landlord claims you are entitled. If you gave your landlord your forwarding address in writing within 4 days after the termination of your occupancy, and your landlord does not send you the balance of your security deposit within 30 days after the termination of your occupancy, he/she must send you the entire deposit. If you do not agree with the damages claimed, you must notify your landlord by mail within seven days or you forfeit the amount claimed. If you have properly notified your landlord of your forwarding address and properly objected to the damages claimed, your landlord must either:

Return the balance of the security deposit to you; or

Start a suit against you within 45 days after the termination of your occupancy, or

Agree with you in writing about the amount the landlord will retain and the amount he will return to you.

If your landlord does not sue within 45 days, you are entitled to sue in Small Claims for twice the amount in dispute. Before filing such a claim, we suggest you first seek counsel from Student Legal Services (763-9920), or speak to an advisor at the Housing Information Office (763-4105).

Turn In Your Inventory Checklist!
When you first move into your apartment your landlord is required by law to provide you with 2 Inventory Checklists. If your landlord hasn't by now, ask for them. If you landlord still does not provide them, pick them up at the Housing Information Office, 1011 SAB. The Inventory Checklist is essential for determining which damages existed before your lease started, and it is supposed to be completed and returned within seven days after obtaining possession of the rental unit. If you did not turn it in within seven days, then it is still well worth your while to complete and return it. Fill it out in detail, noting any scratches, chips, holes, cracks and tears you find in on any surface, including furnishings. Attach an extra piece of paper, if necessary, and save a copy for yourself. Your landlord will use your Inventory Checklist after you move out in order to determine what, if any, deductions to make from your security deposit for damages caused by you or your roommates. If you have roommates, it is best that each person keeps a copy in their records, along with a copy of the lease. Important note: The Inventory Checklist does not serve as a maintenance request.

Don't Like Your Own Cooking?
Unless you can talk your roommate(s) into doing all the cooking, consider your alternatives. Eating out is hard not to do in Ann Arbor. The city has a culinary variety that competes with major cities around the country. Students can find all of their favorite foods with ease around campus, but the cost adds up and can take a big bite out of a budget. You can easily spend twice as much eating out as you would shopping and cooking at home. Co-op Board Only is another option for students who live off-campus, but want the convenience of prepared meals and affordability. Several of the co-op houses serve meals and offer board contracts, in exchange for a fee plus the commitment to contribute some time to help with meal planning and preparation. Contact the Inter-Cooperative Council, phone: 662-4414 for details on prices, food choices, etc.