Renting in Ann Arbor

Finding a first apartment can be an adventure. University Housing guarantees housing for first-year students which means most but not all students will move off-campus their second year and continue to live off-campus through graduation. While students are able to find off-campus housing throughout the year, most students secure housing for the next academic year before the fall semester ends. Below are some things your student should consider for their off-campus housing search.

Roommates

An integral part of your student’s success and peace while living off-campus is finding a compatible roommate(s). When searching for a roommate(s), they should consider their personal habits and needs. Is your student a morning or night person? What level of cleanliness do they require to feel comfortable with their living space? Is quiet something they appreciate or do they prefer a space for socializing? Encourage your student to honestly communicate with their potential roommate(s) to ensure they are selecting a good fit for them. A great way for your student to begin this conversation is by creating a roommate agreement. This form can help them have important lifestyle conversations before moving in together. They can hang the agreement on the fridge where it can be easily revisited if there is a conflict down the road.

If your student needs assistance finding a roommate, Beyond the Diag, U-M’s Off-Campus Housing program provides a roommate finder resource. Students can make an online profile with their preferences and can view profiles of other students.  Because a U-M uniqname is required, students will only be engaging with members of the Michigan community.

Finding Off-Campus Housing

Once your student has found a roommate or decided to fly solo, it is time to find off-campus housing. There are a wide variety of living options in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area. Beyond the Diag hosts the Off-Campus Housing listing service which allows students to see many of the apartments available in the area. Your student can search for things like location, housing type, or cost. They also have the option to list their apartment for sublease through the listing service if they plan to go home for the summer or study abroad. Your student may want to also consider living in coop housing, in a fraternity or sorority house, or the U-M HomeShare program.

Off-campus housing prices can vary depending on the amenities and location. Some places include utilities in the monthly rental payment while others may charge for a features such as a parking spot. Encourage your student to explore what is and is not included with the rent. Also, when considering cost, it may be helpful to note that your student may be able to use financial aid to help cover housing costs if they qualify for financial aid, and while they are enrolled in classes. If your student does not plan on taking classes in the summer, it is important to plan ahead.

Signing a Lease

Signing a lease is the final step in your student’s off-campus housing search. Before signing the lease, it is important for your student to understand that it is a legally binding contract and once they sign, it is hard to break. Hundreds of students visit the Dean of Students Office and Student Legal Services (SLS) with the interest of breaking their lease, which is incredibly challenging to do. While there may be some options for them, it is hard to go back once a lease is signed. The attorneys at SLS can review your student's lease, help your student understand it, and assist them if legal issues arise with their lease, as long as the concerns do not pertain to the university or fellow students. 

Fraternity & Sorority Life

Along with a lifelong membership, some fraternities and sororities offer off-campus housing opportunities as part of their membership experience. Their facilities are often owned by local or national /international alumni organizations. For chapters that do not have a facility, sometimes members choose to live together in an apartment or house. Many, but not all, of the housed organizations in Ann Arbor are affiliated with one of the councils associated with the Fraternity & Sorority Life office.

If your first-year student is considering going through recruitment in January 2020, they may want to wait until that process has concluded before signing a lease, as many organizations require that members live-in the chapter facility the year after they join.

Hopefully your student has a smooth experience finding off-campus housing.  If your student has any questions, please encourage them to check out the Beyond the Diag off-campus housing website or call the Dean of Students office at 734-764-7420.

 

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