1. Resist the Urge to Sign Leases Early (September/October)
The search for off-campus housing in Ann Arbor can seem 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. Additionally, most landlords cannot show their properties to prospective tenants and/or sign leases for them until 70 days of the current lease period has passed.

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 online Housing Fair in early January to post advertisements for their properties. Some landlords even hold their best properties until later in the year, to purposely avoid the 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 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. 

If you have any questions about where and how to look for fall housing, contact the Housing Information Office in the Student Activities Building.

2. First Comes Leaves, Then Comes Snow... (October)
Whose job is it to rake and shovel? Check your lease. If the job is yours, the lease will say so and the landlord will probably provide a rake, shovel and salt (used to melt the snow). If it isn't in your lease, your landlord will likely make arrangements to have the walkways, steps, and driveways cleared. If your lease doesn't answer these questions and the leaves or snow are piling up, call your landlord or the rental office and get the answer. It is usually the landlord's responsibility to shovel if the lease does not state it. Also, the City of Ann Arbor can issue a ticket if snow/ice accumulates.

3. Renter's Insurance (June/October) 
Renter's Insurance is peace of mind worth the small investment. Your landlord's property insurance probably does not cover your personal property. If you can not afford to replace your belongings if they are damaged, lost or stolen, then you should look into buying a policy. The least expensive policies are those that can be added to your car insurance or your parents' insurance. If these alternatives are not available to you, you can purchase personal property insurance from many insurance agencies. A listing of some local agencies is provided here.

Consult your insurance agent, this Web site or the Off-Campus Housing Office for more information.

4. Parking is a Sacred Commodity (October)
By now this fact is obvious to everyone on campus. Parking Services strongly discourages students from bringing a vehicle to campus, and University Housing echoes this recommendation. Students who must bring a car and are looking for off-campus housing should be clear about what kind of parking is provided before signing a lease. Shannon, a junior transfer student, responded to an ad for a room in a three-bedroom apartment that included parking. After she signed the lease, she discovered that there were only two parking spaces provided for the apartment. Unfortunately each of her roommates also brought a car. Since she was the last to sign a lease, Shannon felt pressured to not "rock the boat" with her roommates and tried to find parking on the street. In this case, the lease should have specified how many spaces were available and Shannon should have had the opportunity to find out how many roommates had cars before she signed the lease. Then she could have decided whether she wanted the place enough to take it without the assurance of available parking every day or to continue looking for another rental.

Also, some neighborhoods have instituted a permit parking system. Make sure to check with your landlord/property manager if you this effects you!

We recommend that you use the area bus services if you don't live close enough to classes to walk. They are reliable, safe, well-maintained, and a good way to meet other people or just relax for a few minutes. Even better, they're free for U-M Students.

UM Bus Services website: "http://pts.umich.edu/"

Ann Arbor Transit Authority/The Ride website: "http://www.theride.org/"

5. Personal Security Safeguards (October)
We advise that students not knock on the doors of the rentals they're interested in to find out rental information. It is the responsibility of management to notify current residents in advance and to show you their rental properties. Your safety is potentially at risk if you enter someone's home unescorted or allow someone to tour your home unescorted. Many houses have signs on the outside with the property manager's name and phone number. We encourage you to use this posted information in your search for housing. If there is no such information posted on the exterior of the house, you can contact the Housing Information Office (734) 763-3205 and we will tell you if the rental is registered with our office. (If you are out after dark studying, house-hunting, or visiting friends, take advantage of the Department of Public Safety's service, S.A.F.E.Walk. They provide rides to students who are walking at night. Blue Light Emergency Telephones are located throughout the campus area. S.A.F.E.Walk (734) 763-WALK (763-9255)