Resources
Find information about living Off-Campus and browse through our collection of resources.
Before You Sign a Lease
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Living on your Own
Moving off-campus is an exciting part of your Michigan experience; however, the transition to living on your own can be overwhelming. Keep these things in mind for a successful year.
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Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
When choosing to move off-campus, you should be aware of your rights as a renter under local and state laws.
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Mandatory Lease Clauses
If you are using a private lease and your rental property is located in Ann Arbor, you should ensure that each of these clauses is included.
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Early Lease Ordinance
The City of Ann Arbor has passed the Early Leasing Ordinance to prevent landlords to show a property until 70 days after the start of the current lease.
Once You Move In
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Off Campus Housing Assistance
Having a dispute with your roommate or landlord? Learn more about the dispute resolution services offered in the Dean of Students office.
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Be A Good Neighbor
Remember that your off-campus neighbors live just feet away. Maintain a positive relationship with students or Ann Arbor residents next door and keep these helpful tips in mind.
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Explore Beyond the Diag
U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Ann Arbor one of the Top 10 College Towns in America. With so much to see and do in your off-campus neighborhood, we recommend you explore Beyond the Diag.
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Trash Collection and Recycling
Ann Arbor contracts with Recycle Ann Arbor to provide free, easy-to-use recycling collection and processing services.
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Recycling & Reuse Options in Ann Arbor
Moving off-campus can be a huge adjustment with many new things to learn. Since recycling guidelines vary from city to city, we want to make sure you know how it all works in Ann Arbor.
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Cutting Costs by Living Green
On top of rent each month, you will likely be responsible for paying many of the utilities for your off-campus house or apartment. Here are some ways to significantly cut costs while reducing your carbon footprint.
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Local Laws
Be respectful and stay in control. Please direct your attention to this list of local laws and ordinances.
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Tips for a Safe Off-Campus House
Always remember to lock your door and review these tips to protect your home and your belongings.
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U-M Safety Resources
There are many resources provided by the University of Michigan to help you think about your personal safety, talk about safety with your friends, and share responsibility for keeping our campus community a safe place.
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Party Smart
Whether you plan to host or attend a party, it is important to stay safe and legal while enjoying a night out. Here are some recommendations to help minimize risk for yourself and your guests.
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Stay in the Blue
Staying in the Blue means keeping your blood alcohol content (BAC) at low-risk levels of .06 or below.
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Late Night Transportation
SafeRide is a free service that transports students, faculty, and staff to their residence or vehicle in their off-campus neighborhood.
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U-M Parking and Transportation Service
This flow chart will indicate the types of Special Transit Services available to U-M students and explain when to use them.
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Bike Safety
For many members of the University community, bicycling is the preferred mode of travel around campus. Do your part to stay safe when biking by being aware of this information.
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Protecting Your Security Deposit
A security deposit includes any rent you pay in advance – please refer to the timeline of what to expect regarding your security deposit at the end of your lease.
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All About Sublets
Subletting your space is not a decision you can make by yourself. You should read your lease and check with your landlord to find out if you are allowed to sublet your space and if there are any restrictions or guidelines you must follow. This link will help you learn more tips about subletting.
Student Safety Tips
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City of Ann Arbor Crime Alerts & Crime Mapping
Sign up for crime alert communications to your email and/or utilize crime mapping to be notified when a crime happens near a specific address.
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Register your Laptop
Laptops and other portable electronic devices are easy targets for theft. Learn how to register your device online with the University of Michigan Police Department.
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Medical Amnesty Law
To better ensure that minors at medical risk as a result of alcohol intoxication will receive prompt and appropriate medical attention, in 2012, the State of Michigan adopted a medical amnesty law to remove perceived barriers to calling for or seeking help.
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UM Emergency Alert Notification
UM Emergency Alert is a free, mass notification system by which the University can notify students, faculty and staff of an active, major campus emergency.
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Making Safe Choices Online
Safety online includes protecting your privacy, staying connected to your support network, deterring identity theft and financial fraud, and managing your social networks so that you share only the information you want to share and with whom you choose.
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Put a Stop to Identity Theft
Don’t be the victim of identity theft; protect your information with these tips from the University of Michigan Police Department and U-M Information and Technology Services.
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Reporting a Crime
See Something? Say Something! If you witness criminal or suspicious activity alert the police in a timely manner.
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Fire Safety Tips
The Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) provides emergency services including fire suppression, vehicle extrication, medical response, hazardous materials, water/ice rescue and technical rescue 24 hours per day.
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Law Enforcement on Campus and in Ann Arbor
Concerned about who to contact in an emergency? This information identifies local law enforcement agencies.
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Crime Prevention
Equip yourself with information on crime prevention both on and off campus.
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Walking Alone At Night
It’s late. You’re studying for finals, so it is going to get later. Here are some ideas to help you be safer and feel safer. Remember, it’s up to you to decide which strategies will best fit into your life.
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Personal Safety Education
Practice saying “No.” It is not the easiest skill to learn. If it is challenging to refuse anyone or anything, here are some tips to get you started.
Off-Campus Parking
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Plan to Bring A Vehicle to Campus?
If you plan to bring a vehicle to campus, make sure you have a place to park and keep in mind that spaces in Ann Arbor are very limited.
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Vehicle Safety
If you have a car on campus, consider these tips from the U-M Police Department to keep yourself and your vehicle safe.
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City Parking Information
The City of Ann Arbor’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) provides metered parking, public parking structures, attended parking lots, monthly and yearly parking permits for designated lots. Non-metered parking is available on many residential side streets near campus. State law requires that your vehicle be park a minimum of three feet from any driveway and 15 feet from fire hydrants.
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Residential Parking Permit Brochure
Not being able to find a parking space in your neighborhood can be a frustrating experience. The City of Ann Arbor has initiated a program that serves as a solution to many of the parking problems in residential neighborhoods, this brochure will explain more.
Protect Our House
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Respectful Fan Behavior
As Wolverines, it is important to show our maize-and-blue pride while respecting the Michigan community, other fans, and our competitors. Keep these tips in mind for a safe and fun game-day experience.
Weather in Michigan
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Snow and Ice Removal on Sidewalks
When it snows in Ann Arbor, the city depends on its citizens to be helpful, responsible, and aware of the need to remove all snow and ice from the public sidewalks including walks and ramps leading to a crosswalk. Keep this information in mind during the winter months in Ann Arbor.
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Severe Weather Preparedness
Michigan weather can change at any moment. Be prepared in the event of a tornado or severe thunderstorm with these safety tips from the U-M Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Social Media
U-M Student Support Services
- Beyond the Diag
- Student Legal Services
- Office of Student Conflict Resolution
- Dean of Students Office
- Services for Students with Disabilities
- University Health Services
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Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP)
Are you in recovery from alcohol or other drug addiction? You are not alone! The UM Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) is designed to support recovering students and help them thrive as they navigate their university experience.
- Students with Children
- Office of Greek Life
- Spectrum Center
- Counseling & Psychological Services
- Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Center
- Confidential Relationship Resources for UM Students
Ann Arbor Area Resources
- Recycle Ann Arbor
- Fair Housing Center of Southeast Michigan
- The Dispute Resolution Center of Washtenaw and Livingston Counties
- Michigan Tenant Council
- Ann Arbor Building and Inspection Bureau
- Washtenaw Area Apartment Association
- Red Cross of Washtenaw County
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Washtenaw County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service
Washtenaw County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service provides referrals for $30 to receive 30 minutes of legal advice.
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Legal Resource Center of Ann Arbor
Legal resource Center of Ann Arbor can assist with free services like filing forms, etc...
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Legal Services of South Central Michigan
Legal Services of South Central Michigan provides free legal services in certain civil cases to low income persons.