"And certainly, we have knowledge about certain landlords that we've had issues with," Meyers said. "We see most of the issues, so we can certainly pass on that information as well."

Meyers recommends that students come into Student Legal Services to discuss roommate agreements as well, which are most commonly done for on-campus housing to ensure expectations for living standards and financial responsibilities are documented and avoid potential conflict. Since an off-campus lease is only with the landlord, Meyers stressed the importance of defining external expectations among roommates in documented form. 

During tenancy, students often face a number of challenges, including being stuck in their lease unwillingly, roommate conflicts, maintenance/repair issues and potential eviction. In times of conflict between landlords and apartment administration, Student Legal Services offers defense services to negotiate with landlords to reach a potential compromise. 

When handling roommate disagreements, which occur from various situations like financial issues, unsanitary and unhealthy living conditions, and domestic violence, attorneys can advise students on potential legal avenues for victims to exit a lease.  

Upon the completion of a lease, if students face unnecessary fees and holds on security deposits, Student Legal Services are able to intervene, assisting students in disputing larger bills and taking legal action against landlords who don’t follow the security deposit act. 

Meyers, despite having hundreds of cases regarding housing, wishes students would utilize the resources that Student Legal Services provide. Students can contact Student Legal Services by visiting their website and contacting them to set up a consultation. Student Legal Services will usually ask for proof of student tax payment and a summary of the case prior to appointments. 

"It's not that we're not being utilized, but at the start of leases, we would like to be doing more lease reviews because we can always come in on a case," Meyers said, "It's a lot easier when the students already spoke to us if an issue occurs, they already have some of the tools that will give them to help with the case when they do come in."

Meyers pointed out common pitfalls students encounter when signing a lease, such as panic signing, neglecting research, settling for verbal agreements, unawareness of non-refundable fees and lease terms, lack of roommate agreements, and misunderstanding lease types. All of these issues that students encounter can negatively impact their experience living off campus.

"Again, sometimes students just think of it as 'something I can get out of, it's no big deal if I need to switch or change.' It's not. It is a legally binding document for a year for a good chunk of money," Meyers said. 

When students expect certain things without confirmation and don't critically understand the weight of the lease, they end up in unwanted situations, which can cause financial issues and negatively impact their living situation. Meyers emphasized that students should closely read their lease to confirm that everything they need and expect is included. 

Prior to consulting Student Legal Services, Meyers recommends searching on the internet and using resources like Google reviews to see previous residents' experiences at the complex. Furthermore, taking tours to see how well the property is maintained outside and inside can provide important insights to potential residents. 

It's also important to understand what landlords can and cannot do; the Michigan Truth in Renting Act provides a guideline so students can know their rights and make informed decisions when looking for a lease. 

If students are unsure if a housing issue they are encountering is a legal issue or not, Meyers still encourages students to visit student legal services. “If it's not something we do; we'll help you find a resource to help you, but at the very least we can kind of give you some baseline advice and resources," Meyers said.