.png)
.png)
UMich sublease guide for students
- Ong Ogaslert
- Dec 2
- 6 min read
Introduction
Subleasing near UMich is extremely common—and for many students it’s the best way to get housing that matches your timeline without committing to a full-year lease. But the same reasons subleasing is popular are also why it can get messy: lots of listings, lots of urgency, lots of money moving quickly, and a wide range of “informal” deals. Students lose money when they rush, skip paperwork, or trust screenshots instead of verifying the lease and the unit.
This UMich sublease guide is designed to make your sublease safe and predictable. You’ll learn how timing affects price, how to evaluate whether a sublease is a fair deal, what paperwork you need (and who must approve it), how deposits should work, and the step-by-step scam prevention checks that protect you before you send money or sign anything.
UMich sublease guide: timing and the sublease seasons you need to know
Timing affects everything—availability, pricing power, and how much risk you’re taking.
The most common sublease timelines
Summer subleases (most supply): students leave for internships, travel, or go home
Fall-only subleases: less common, but appear when people study abroad or graduate
Winter subleases: appear around semester changes
Full takeover: when someone wants out long-term and you assume the lease
How timing affects price
When there are a lot of summer subleases, prices often drop because supply is high.
Closer to move-in date, some sublessors discount more to avoid paying rent on an empty unit.
In tighter periods (fall start), prices can hold stronger and good units move fast.
Your strategy should change by season: in high-supply seasons, negotiate. In high-demand windows, prioritize verification and speed (but still don’t skip safety checks).
1) Pricing: how to tell if the sublease is actually a deal
A common trap is thinking any sublease is automatically cheaper. Some subleases are priced above market because the sublessor is trying to recover their costs.
What “fair” pricing looks like
A fair sublease typically reflects:
The remaining lease term
Whether it’s furnished
Whether utilities are included
Whether parking is included
How close it is to campus and your routine
Ask for the real monthly total
To compare options, calculate:True Monthly Cost = Rent + Utilities + Internet + Parking + Monthly fees
Then compare that to what similar units cost nearby. A lower base rent doesn’t matter if fees and utilities push the real total above a normal lease.
Negotiation tips (especially in high-supply seasons)
You can often negotiate:
Lower monthly rent
Sublessor covers utilities
Sublessor pays a portion of rent for the first month
Waived “takeover” fees (if allowed)
Furnishing included without extra charge
Keep it simple:
“I’m ready to sign this week if we can do $X/month (or if you can cover utilities).”
2) The safest way to find subleases (and the risks by source)
Subleases can be found anywhere, but safety varies.
Lower-risk sources (still verify)
Trusted school/community networks
Listings where the poster can clearly prove tenancy and provide paperwork
Platforms with identity signals and message history
Higher-risk sources
Random reposted listings with no unit details
Posters who refuse video calls or walkthroughs
“Too good to be true” deals with urgency and pressure
No matter where you find it, your protection is the same: paperwork + verification + walkthrough.
3) Paperwork: what you must have before you pay
This is where students get scammed: they send money based on a promise and a few screenshots.
Documents you should request
At minimum:
A sublease agreement or lease assignment document
Proof the poster is a current tenant (matching name on lease or official rent portal screen)
Written landlord/property manager approval if required
Sublease vs lease assignment (know the difference)
Sublease: the original tenant stays responsible to the landlord; you pay them or sometimes pay landlord with permission
Lease assignment/takeover: you become responsible under the lease (cleaner structure, usually requires landlord approval)
If the building requires assignment but the poster wants to do an “informal sublease,” that’s risky. You want the arrangement that the landlord recognizes.
The proof test
Ask:
“Are you allowed to sublease under your lease?”
“Can you show the sublease/assignment clause?”
“Does the landlord require written approval?”
“Who do I pay rent to officially?”
If they can’t answer clearly, pause.
4) Deposits: how they should work in a legitimate sublease
Deposits cause conflict because they’re often handled informally.
Better deposit structures
Deposit paid to the landlord/property manager (best clarity)
Deposit paid to sublessor with written conditions and a move-in/move-out photo record
Red flags in deposit requests
Large deposit demanded immediately with no documents
“Send deposit to hold it” without a signed agreement
Refusal to provide receipt or written deposit terms
Your deposit protection steps
Use a payment method with records
Get a signed agreement before payment
Take full move-in photos/video (time-stamped)
Confirm how and when the deposit is returned
Deposits should be treated like a formal transaction—not a handshake.
5) Walkthroughs: why you should never skip them
A walkthrough protects you from:
Fake listings (unit doesn’t exist)
Misrepresented condition (damage, pests, mold, broken appliances)
Layout surprises (room smaller than expected)
Furnishing differences (“furnished” means one chair)
Best walkthrough method
In-person tour if possible
If remote: live video walkthrough (not a pre-recorded clip)
During walkthrough, confirm:
Exact address and unit number (if comfortable sharing)
Bedroom/bath configuration
Appliance condition
Water pressure and hot water basics
Noise level
Signs of poor maintenance (stains, leaks, pests)
If they refuse a walkthrough, treat it as high-risk.
6) Scam prevention: the checklist that saves students
Here’s the scam prevention core for this UMich sublease guide.
High-risk warning signs
Pressure: “multiple people interested—pay now”
Refusal to video call
Won’t show proof of tenancy
Asks for money before paperwork
Uses vague address (“near campus”) but won’t specify
Only communicates through one-way messages
Wants payment through methods with no protection
Verification steps (do these before any payment)
Confirm the identity of the tenant (matching proof)
Confirm the unit exists (address verification + walkthrough)
Confirm sublease permission (lease clause or manager confirmation)
Confirm payment flow (who receives rent and how)
Sign written agreement that includes dates, rent, utilities, and deposit terms
One missing step can cost you hundreds or thousands.
7) Utilities and fees: the “hidden costs” that break budgets
Many subleases advertise rent but ignore:
Electricity/gas
Internet
Trash service fees
Amenity fees
Parking
Ask for:
The last utility bill amounts (or typical range)
Whether internet is included or needs setup
Any recurring monthly fees besides rent
Then calculate true monthly cost and compare fairly.
8) Roommate subleases: extra checks if you’re taking one room
If you’re subleasing a room in a shared unit, confirm:
Who the roommates are and their schedules
Guest policy and quiet hours
How bills are split (and whether anyone is unreliable)
Whether the lease is joint liability (risk if someone doesn’t pay)
Ask for a quick roommate intro call if possible. Compatibility matters even for a short stay.
9) Move-in and move-out: protect your deposit and your sanity
Move-in day checklist
Take photos/video of every room, appliances, and any damage
Confirm keys and access method
Confirm utilities and internet status
Confirm how you report maintenance issues
Confirm payment schedule and receipts
Move-out checklist
Clean to the standard required
Take photos/video again
Return keys exactly as instructed
Confirm deposit return timeline in writing
Most deposit disputes are solved by documentation.
10) What a good sublease deal looks like (quick summary)
A solid sublease usually has:
Clear dates and written agreement
Verified tenant identity and proof of tenancy
Confirmed landlord approval if required
Transparent utility/fee breakdown
A walkthrough (in-person or live video)
Payment method with receipts
Deposit terms that are written and fair
If you have all of that, your risk drops dramatically.
Conclusion
Subleasing can be one of the smartest ways to get housing near UMich—if you treat it like a real transaction instead of a casual arrangement. This UMich sublease guide gives you a process that protects you: understand timing, compare true monthly cost, insist on paperwork and landlord approval when needed, document deposits carefully, and never skip a walkthrough.
Do those steps and you’ll avoid the most common student sublease failures: paying too much, getting stuck in unclear agreements, or getting scammed. You’ll also be able to move in quickly with confidence—exactly what subleasing is supposed to provide.
Comments