Searching for an apartment in Ann Arbor is an exciting step, especially for students preparing for life near the University of Michigan. But with so many housing options, amenities, and lease details to consider, apartment tours can quickly become overwhelming.
To help you stay organized and make the most of your tours, we’ve compiled 13 important questions to ask before choosing your next apartment. Whether you’re touring Rambler or exploring other student housing in Ann Arbor, these questions can help you feel confident in your decision.
Read Next: How to Find the Perfect Student Apartment in Ann Arbor
1. What are the lease terms and policies?
The lease is the most important contract between you and your possible landlord, so it’s vital to understand exactly what you’re signing up for. They can also be complex and have a lot of legal terms, so make sure to ask these questions before signing:
- Start and end dates: Are the lease dates fixed or is there some flexibility?
- Subleasing and re-letting policies: Are there fees associated with moving in early or breaking a lease?
- Personalization rules: Can I hang pictures, paint walls or make other changes to my apartment?
- Late payment policies: If I have to pay late for some reason, is there a grace period? What are the fees for late payments?
- Pet policy: Are pets allowed?
- Parking availability: Is parking included or available for an additional cost?
- Additional costs: Are there any extra fees associated with amenities, utilities or other services that aren’t included in rent?
As well, while most student housing apartments in Ann Arbor will offer individual leases, it’s always good to clarify whether your landlord is offering you an individual or traditional lease.
2. What’s included in my monthly rent?
The advertised monthly rent can vary greatly depending on utilities or extra fees. A few significant costs to ask about that can cause an impact on your rent include:
- Utilities: Are water, electricity and gas included?
- Internet and cable: Will these services be bundled into the rent, or will you set them up separately?
- Installation: Do you require a set-up fee for utility services?
- Trash removal and recycling: Are there fees for these services?
- Amenity fees: Am I paying extra for access to the pool, gym or common spaces?
These are some of the most overlooked questions during apartment tours and can have the biggest impact on your monthly rent. To avoid any surprises, ask for a breakdown of what’s covered.
3. What are the typical utility costs?
Utilities can be a significant expense and although they’re widely based on how much you and your roommates use them, the fees can vary by apartment complex. Make sure to ask:
- Unit billing: Do you charge a utility rate for the entire apartment unit or individually?
If your apartment can’t give you a clear estimate, you can look at the average utility bill in the U.S. to get a broad overview.
4. What’s the pet policy?
If you have pets or plan to get one during your lease, clarify the property’s pet policy, including:
- Allowed pets: Are there any breed or size restrictions?
- Pet fees: How much are the pet deposits? Are they one-time or monthly? Is it refundable at the end of my lease?
- Features: Are there designated pet spaces on-site or parks within walking distance?
5. Is renter’s insurance required?
While Michigan law doesn’t require renter’s insurance, student housing apartments in Ann Arbor will almost always need it to protect their property in case of unexpected events like fires, theft or water damage.
Some properties will offer their own insurance, but these will generally only cover the apartment itself. The building’s insurance policy almost always leaves your belongings unprotected, so understand the required coverage if you plan to add your own protection.
Read Next: A University of Michigan Student’s Guide to Renter’s Insurance
6. What are my rent payment options?
When it comes to paying rent, there are many different modes available, including:
- Online portals: Most apartments make paying rent pretty easy with an online resident portal. You can usually pay with a credit card, debit card or direct bank transfer. Many of these systems also offer an auto-pay option, which helps you avoid missing a payment and incurring late fees.
- Checks: If you’re more old-school, some complexes still accept checks. Just make sure you double-check with the leasing office on how and where to drop it off so it’s processed correctly.
- Other methods: Other places might allow money orders or in-person payments, but policies vary. It’s always a good idea to ask what payment options are available before move-in so you know what to expect.
7. What happens if I need to break my lease?
As a college student, plans can sometimes change unexpectedly. If you decide you want to graduate early or study abroad, it can be important to know what happens if you need to break your lease.
In Michigan, you have the legal right to break your lease. If you face specific circumstances, such as being called to active military duty, losing the ability to live independently or becoming a victim of a crime like stalking, you can legally end your lease in Michigan if you can prove you qualify. However, if you need to break your lease for any reason other than the ones stated, you’re only responsible for your rent until your landlord finds a new tenant. In Michigan, law requires that your landlord “mitigate losses,” or try to find a new tenant as quickly as possible, so this can be helpful if you can find someone to take over your lease.
8. How is maintenance handled?
Even the best apartments require maintenance sometimes. Whether it’s a leaky pipe or a toilet that just won’t flush, knowing how your apartment complex handles maintenance requests can save you time and frustration down the road. Be sure to ask:
- Maintenance request process: Is there an online portal or a phone line for me to report an issue if I need to?
- Emergency repairs: Is there a 24/7 maintenance team to assist me for urgent problems?
- Response times: How quickly are non-urgent requests typically resolved?
9. What are the security features?
Safety is the top priority when choosing a new home, and asking these questions can help Mom and Dad sleep better at night. You’ll want to know things like:
- Surveillance: Does the property have security cameras and are they monitored?
- Personnel: Are there security guards or patrols on-site, especially during nighttime hours?
- Entry: Are there key fobs, security codes or mobile apps for restricted entry? Will my unit have additional security features like a deadbolt and peephole?
If your building has a parking garage, be sure to ask about security measures and surveillance for that area as well.
10. How often does rent increase and by how much?
Rent increases are common year-to-year in purpose-built student housing apartments, so understanding what you might be looking at in a year. Especially if you’re looking for a home to stay in for multiple years, understanding the typical annual increase can help you plan ahead.
11. Is parking available, and what does it cost?
We all know Ann Arbor parking can be frustrating, especially during peak class hours and during gamedays. Having a place to keep your car close to home can be a huge help, and many student housing complexes in Ann Arbor offer on-site parking for an additional cost.
Make sure you ask about availability and extra fees, since parking is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, it can be helpful to ask about on-site visitor parking areas for when your friends and family come to visit.
12. What are the move-in costs and fees?
In addition to rent, you’ll need to budget for upfront costs. Make sure you ask about:
- Application fees: These non-refundable fees typically range from $50 to $100 and cover the cost of background checks and other necessary screenings for your application.
- Admin fees: A one-time, non-refundable service fee that helps cover the cost of administration, billing and other overhead expenses throughout your lease.
- Security deposits: Typically refundable at the end of your lease if there isn’t excessive damage to your apartment, these deposits are sometimes credited towards your rent. While there is no legal cap on security deposits in Texas, it’s usually one to two months rent.
It’s also important to note what stage of the leasing process your prospective building is in when touring. Many properties will offer discounted or waived move-in fees to incentive early signing, so be sure to ask if the complex you’re touring has any promotions going on.
13. Do you offer roommate matching?
If you’re hoping to live with roommates but don’t have any in mind, many student housing properties will offer roommate matching services. You can fill out a form with information like your sleep time, volume preferences, weekend activities and guest boundaries, and your apartment can match you with like-minded individuals.
Your roommate match may not become your best friend, but it’s a strong start to finding people you’ll want to keep living with.
Read Next: A Student Guide to Finding a Roommate at Michigan
Finding a home in Ann Arbor should feel exciting, not complicated. Whether you’re exploring student housing for the first time or a seasoned expert looking for their next apartment, we hope these questions have given you a good starting point for what to ask on your next unit tour.
If you have any questions for us or need any guidance on your student housing search, don’t hesitate to contact our leasing team at Rambler. We’ve helped hundreds of college students navigate Ann Arbor and would be happy to assist you.
Alexis
Alexis is a Property Marketing Intern for Rambler Ann Arbor. She's a sophomore at the University of Michigan, majoring in Communication and Media Studies. Her favorite drink to order is a Blueberry Dream matcha!
Published On: April 30, 2026
Last Updated On: May 6, 2026
