Websites:
Michigan Tech USG Off Campus Housing Guide
Houghton/Hancock, Michigan, Housing for Rent
General Comments:
"My daughter found the Neighbor’s on Bark Board. The rent may seem like a lot but if you add it all up it is cheaper than Hillside even for all year rent. Downside looking for someone to sublease when taking co-ops. The place is furnished so no need to move a bed. Check your places out thoroughly some places have black mold. My son had black mold in a house he rented at UW-Whitewater & had health issues because of it. Visit the basements."
"Easiest to find homes if you have a group-- not many rent by the room anymore. I always moved into homes that already had a base of residents, so that was easy. It was very hard for my daughter to find a place after she had to take a year off due to health issues. Start early, visit the places, use the phone to follow up, etc."
"Ask to speak with several recent prior renters directly. That is speaking from a bummer of an experience that looked fantastic. “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.”"
"My son found his place through an upper classman he knows from home. Nice enough place. Decent price. Make sure they read the lease about when they have to start paying rent. Mine did not and had to catch up for the summer months even though he didn't move in until just before Labor Day weekend."
"My suggestion is to take pictures of the interior of the rental before you move in, so there is proof if damage is claimed by the landlord."
"My son and daughter found their housing by going around and looking at places with friends. My son seemed to put it off until after Christmas. My daughter was a little more proactive. Keep in mind leases are usually May to May. And don't count on getting someone to sublet in the summer. There are lots of available places, and not that many people looking. My son's last semester he was in a 3 bedroom townhome. One kid lived there all year. My son and a friend graduated in December and had 2 friends who were on co-op take their rooms starting in January, so it worked out great for everyone."
Positive Experiences:
"Jon something or other has a number of homes in Houghton, he was okay to deal with as a landlord-- the homes are in various condition. The one he has on Franklin in Houghton (former Rugby house) was not tooo bad."
"The second apartment is Julien Heights. That was found through this parent site. Very nice apartment. More expensive rent, but some utilities are included. It's also closer to campus."
"There are two landlords that own many of the rentals in the Houghton area - Gail Sanchez and Derek Bradway. My son has rented from both and hasn't had any major issues."
"My friend used the USG site. She had Mark Kempenan (sp?) as a landlord at 7000 Sandpiper (townhouses) and really liked him."
"My son is renting at Northwoods resort this year. Place to himself. Rent includes all but internet. Nice thing is you only have to rent 9 months. They are 1 bdrm vacation cabins. Be sure that snow removal is included with any rental 
😉"
" My son transferred from a local community college and found his apartment searching the internet. He is in Julien Heights. The apartment is very nice and close to campus. We are very pleased."
"Son moved in with roommates from freshman year both of them n 7 other from floor of w McNair. 202 Quincy was their rental."
Negative Experiences:
"No to 220 Hubbell-- falling apart, mold, dirty; No to the Pink House on Franklin in Houghton-- nothing done to it since my sister lived there 20 years ago. It was bad then. Be careful of anything that Allan's Reality has, however the house on Franklin in Hancock is nice."
"My son has had two different apartments. His first on Garnet. He found on the Bark Board. Good sized apartment. High utilities & the apartment was extremely dated/ worn down. "
"She stayed at 908-910 Champion Street apartments owned by Ted Gast and it was a horrible experience."
" My son rented his first year from a guy named don. He had a room in a run down house and the electric to the basement was turned off a couple times due to non payment by the landlord. So the tenants had no laundry and no hot water. Beware of don."
