In order to get an apartment in Michigan, there are many things that you need to know, and many of them, are things most people wouldn’t think to tell you.
- Security Deposit: When you sign on an apartment or a place to live,the landlord will ask for a Security Deposit of 1 or 2 months of rent. This is used to cover any damages you might cause to the apartment beyond standard use. Legally, this money should be held in an account, and if you ask, they need to tell you where it is. To be very clear, If your apartment is charging $1,000 a month, your first month could be $2,000 or $3,000. When you move out, any money that is not claimed as a valid expense, they must return to you.
- Double check first: Before you move in, walk around your apartment, take photos of anything that is not perfect. Test the water pressure, test all of the appliances. Make clear notes, label it with your name, your address, and the date. Give a copy of this list and copies of photos to any issue to the landlord. If anything is not working, ask it be repaired. Keep a copy of these documents with a copy of your lease agreement. This list will be evidence of what the apartment looked like when you moved in, in case the landlord when you move out blames you for a pre-existing problem.
- Utilities: When you speak to your landlord, ask for what utilities are covered, which you need to call and put in your name, as well as if there is a specific garbage day. Often, if there are utilities that you must put in your name, they will have the information on which companies to call, as apartments usually have one provider for each. When looking for your apartment, assume you will have to cover ALL of these utilities so planning is a bit safer. Often there are: Electric, Gas, Garbage, Internet.
- Read your lease agreement: I realize that this document is mind-numbing and usually 5 pages longer than it needs to be. It is also often written in a form of legalese most people cannot comprehend. But here is why this is important, no matter how painful. This is a legal document that you are agreeing to with your signature. If there is something in there that you completely disagree with, you have agreed to it in a form that a judge would defend. This isn’t often in your favor. This can be things like: “If we find evidence of an unauthorized pet, we will require a $5,000 security deposit.”, it can be: “Any call for repair requires a $50 payment to the service man upon their arrival.” Another interesting note, I have a friend that was reading the Terms and Conditions on a website they were signing up for and found a note in the fine print. “If you are actually reading this, Good Job! Email me at [enter email address] with the subject of [I read your darn agreement: Peacock] and I will send you $100 dollars.” She did, and she received a $100 check.
- Lease Duration: Most often a lease will be for 1 year. There are leases that allow for month to month, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months. Usually the price goes up for the shorter the lease (if it is even an option.)
- Document everything: This seems like a bit of advice you have already heard, and probably ignored. By reading the first three items I am hoping that you can take away from this document that while no one is “out to get you”, everyone is out to protect themselves. Without documentation, it has always impressed me how frequently people forget about a relevant conversation, or a promise, or a deal. When you call someone on the phone, when you speak to someone in person, ask them for their name for your documentation. Get the name of the representative, the phone number you called, the date and time, and a short summary of your conversation. Store it with your important papers.
- Furnished Apartment: There are apartments that come furnished. Often you pay $100-$200 more per month to have an apartment that is furnished. I am not sure how frequently these are available now. But good to know that they exist. All apartments should come with fixed appliances. Without being a “Furnished Apartment” you must assume that there will be no chairs, no table, not couches, no beds.
- Things you will need: This is not an exhaustive list. I will try to break these out be room/area:
- Bathroom: Toilet paper, cleaning products, personal/feminine products, soap, washcloths, towels, plunger, toilet brush, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. (A non-slip rug and a garbage can will make your life better though not a NEED.)
- Kitchen (Room): Rags, hand towels, silverware, plates, bowls, trivets (those tiles you put hot pans on), oven mitts,, multi-surface cleaning product, garbage, garbage bags. at least one: glasses, mugs, cutting board, large knife, frying pan, sauce pan, cookie tray, serving spoon, spatula, broom & dustpan, dishwasher tabs.
- Kitchen (Pantry): Cooking oil, salt, pepper, pick your seasoning, ketchup, mustard, sugar, flour. This category is about all those items that always seem to be there that you never think about. If you have the luxury to do so, it is worth buying an armful of mac & cheese or ramen. (Good to have backup food.)
- Furniture: You decide what your minimum is. Money is hard and these are expensive. You need something to sleep on, with sheets, a pillow, and a blanket. You need at least one chair. You will build up the furniture you need, but a bed is worth investing in.
- Light Bulbs. I assume when you move in, all lights will have bulbs, but have a pack in the apartment for when one goes out.
- Lamps: Sometimes this is a luxury item. Other times, there are no installed lights in rooms. In rooms like this, you must have a lamp if you want to see
- Things you can live without, but might not be used to: Toaster, Microwave (may be included), vacuum.