Security deposits for Ann Arbor sublets: what to know
How security deposits work for sublets in Ann Arbor, Michigan — what's normal, your rights under Michigan law, and how to actually get yours back.
5 min read · Updated July 3, 2026
What's a normal deposit
For a sublet, a deposit of around one month's rent is typical, though plenty of summer sublets ask for less or none — especially room sublets in a place the original tenant is still on the lease for. Under Michigan law, a residential security deposit generally can't exceed one and a half months' rent.
Your rights under Michigan law
Michigan's security deposit rules are specific. A landlord must return the deposit, or send an itemized list of damages, within 30 days of the lease ending. In a sublet, the person holding your deposit takes on that obligation, so it matters who you're paying. Get the deposit terms in writing up front: amount, what it covers, and when it comes back.
How to actually get it back
The single best thing you can do is document the place the day you move in. Photos and a quick video, timestamped, of every room and any existing damage. Do the same when you leave. That evidence turns a he-said-she-said deposit dispute into a non-event.
- Timestamped move-in photos + video of every room
- Note any existing damage in writing, shared with the other party
- Keep the place clean and undamaged
- Repeat the photos at move-out
- Get the deposit terms in writing before you pay
Deposits on Wroomly
Listings on Wroomly state the deposit up front, and a blue check marks listers who've verified as UMich students, so you can see who is holding your money. Pay the deposit by a traceable method and keep the written terms — that paper trail is half the battle when it's time to get your deposit back.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a security deposit for an Ann Arbor sublet?
Around one month's rent is typical, and plenty of summer sublets ask for less or none — especially room sublets where the original tenant stays on the lease. Under Michigan law, a residential security deposit generally can't exceed one and a half months' rent.
When does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Michigan?
Within 30 days of the lease ending, a Michigan landlord must return the deposit or send an itemized list of damages. In a sublet, whoever holds your deposit takes on that obligation — so get the amount, what it covers, and the return terms in writing before you pay.
How do I make sure I get my deposit back?
Document everything. Take timestamped photos and a quick video of every room the day you move in, note existing damage in writing, and repeat the photos at move-out. Combined with written deposit terms, that evidence turns a deposit dispute into a non-event.