For students planning to sublet, looking for the perfect person to trust with your house or apartment is a process that needs to be done correctly to ensure a restful summer.
"Because of my security deposit, I want to get someone who's basically going to take care of the place and leave it like I would," said Rackham first-year student Ann Ho.
There are several services available to help students with the legal and organizational aspects of subletting.
The University's Housing Information Mediation Services offer students a "subletting packet" that includes a sublease agreement, an inventory checklist and a booklet about the rights and duties of tenants. A list of apartments and people wishing to sublease is also available for use.
"Students who want to sublet can fill out a free ad for our posting," said Jeff Micale, a housing adviser with the Off-Campus Housing Program. "The list starts the first Friday in March and usually runs until it starts to dwindle out."
The list will be accessible on the Internet or in the HIMS office free of charge. Students can pay for a copy at Kinko's on Liberty and Main streets.
Ho, who has already signed a lease for another apartment, said she hopes to find a tenant to sublet her current residence soon.
"If I have to pay double rent, it will put a little dent in my checkbook," Ho said.
The HIMS office also offers counseling to students in frustrating sublet situations.
"Depending on the nature of the situation, the first thing we do is share information that will help the student solve the situation on their own," Micale said about the mediation process. "Then if added assistance is necessary, we may provide mediation ourselves or refer students to the Student Mediation Services dispute resolution center."
Student can follow certain guidelines when subletting to the make the process less worrisome, said Melissa Danforth, program coordinator for the Ann Arbor Tenants Union.
"We suggest students collect a deposit, sign a lease and give the sub-tenant a copy of renters' rights," Danforth said. "Make sure you get a full name and address, too, because sometimes sub-tenants skip town."
The Ann Arbor Tenants Union is another place students can turn to with subletting questions. All University students are considered members of the union, which offers free advice to subletters and their sub-tenants.
Danforth said subletting is economical, but she has heard several horror stories.
"In general, subletting is a great way to get out of your lease if you need to leave town, or if your roommate situation goes sour, but it has its drawbacks," she said. "There's a common perception that if you sublet, you can trash the place and it's difficult to hold you to your responsibility."
One rental organization changed their subletting policy because it wanted to avoid numerous problems.
"Last year, we started a new system where students become the landlords," said Rebecca Greenshields of CMB property management.
CMB managers explain to students the responsibilities they will have as landlords, such as collecting security deposits and receiving rent checks. They also place ads in local newspapers for tenants who wish to sublet and recommend that students get to know their sub-tenant in order to avoid potential problems.
Even with help, some students can't find people to rent their apartments for the summer and are forced to find other alternatives.
"I'm working full-time over the summer, so I'm not too concerned," Ho said. "If I can't find someone to sublet and have to pay double rent, I won't starve, but that's less money I'll have for school."
02-10-98
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