Frequently Asked Questions
Houses convenient to the Michigan Tech campus.
FAQ's
What You Need to Know
Thanks for taking a moment to explore our Frequently Asked Questions—your trust means a lot. At Copper Country Rentals, we believe housing should be reliable, affordable—and yes, friendly. Whether you’re a group of second- or third-year students ready to move out of the dorms, or parents looking for a safe place near campus, we’ve spent 40 years refining the process for just such situations. Feel free to reach out anytime if something’s unclear or you’d simply like to talk through your options. We’re here for you.
You can also check out a detailed housing guide for finding off-campus housing at MTU.
Rental Process
Call or text me at 906-370-7356 to schedule a time to come by and see the house in person. It’s the best way to get a genuine feel for the house, the neighborhood, and its proximity to campus.
Once you’ve seen the property and decide it’s the right fit, we’ll schedule a lease signing. To hold the house, you’ll pay a $100 retainer, which reserves the property while we complete the paperwork. (This amount goes toward your security deposit.) We’ll meet on campus well before June 1 to go over the lease together and sign it in person. At that time, you’ll pay the full security deposit. I take time to review every lease term with you and email a copy to each tenant for your records.
I reach out to current tenants in August to learn their plans for the next year and confirm available properties by October. Homes tend to fill quickly once they’re listed, so it’s best to start your search early to have the widest selection of options.
I rent entire houses to groups of students rather than individual rooms. You and your friends lease the whole home together, and everyone listed on the lease shares responsibility for the total rent amount.
I agree to this, but you will be responsible for finding the replacement tenant and managing the transition. I don’t get involved in finding replacements or chasing subletters for rent.
Lease Terms
All leases are for 12 months, running from June 1 through May 27, in line with MTU’s academic calendar. I often allow early move-in if the previous tenants have already moved out, so if that’s something you need, just ask when you sign your lease.
No co-signer is required. Students sign the lease in their own name—there’s no need for parents to co-sign or be listed on the lease.
Yes. I allow subletting for co-op students. You find someone to take over your portion of the lease and handle the arrangement. However, I will need their contact information.
You find a replacement tenant. Once you find a replacement, I’ll work with you on the arrangement. You handle the transfer process.
Costs & Payments
Rent varies by property. Contact me at 906-370-7356 for specific pricing. I include city water and gas heat in your rent.
I collect rent on the 1st of each month.
The security deposit is equivalent to one month’s rent and is due in full upon signing the lease. I return the full deposit to about 90% of tenants, and if any deductions are necessary, I provide clear documentation and receipts—never vague fees or surprise charges. In accordance with Michigan law, your security deposit will be returned, minus any documented deductions, within 30 days of your lease ending and sent to your forwarding mailing address.
I accept Venmo, checks, or cash. 95% of my students pay via Venmo.
No. What I quote you is what you pay.
You pay for electric and Wi-Fi. I provide utility company contact information at move-in. I include city water and gas heat in your rent.
No. You set up and pay for Wi-Fi. I provide contact information for local providers at move-in.
Property Features
All my properties sit within walking distance of Michigan Tech. Most take 5-10 minutes on foot.
Yes. Each bedroom gets one parking spot. If the house has five bedrooms, you get five parking spots.
Yes. Every house has a non-coin laundry in the unit.
No pets.
Yes. Every property I rent passes annual inspections by the City of Houghton. This gives you third-party verification that the house meets safety and building codes.
Maintenance & Living
Call me directly. You have my personal phone number. For emergencies when I’m unavailable, you have direct numbers for my maintenance staff and the heating/AC company.
I handle non-emergency requests during regular hours. Emergency issues, especially heating problems, get same-day service.
This must be approved by me in advance for painting.
MTU-Specific
Yes. MTU’s academic calendar runs late August through early May. My leases run June 1st through May 27th. This gives you time to move in before classes start and move out after finals end.
Yes. I’ve been renting to MTU students since 1983. I know MTU’s academic calendar and understand the co-op program. I allow subletting specifically for co-op students.
For Parents
Extremely safe. Houghton’s crime rate is 66% lower than the national average, making it safer than 83% of U.S. cities.
Key Facts:
- Violent crime is 78.8% below the national average
- MTU campus crime rate is 53% lower than typical colleges
- Crime decreased 53% in 2024
Your student’s chance of being a victim of violent crime in Houghton: 1 in 781
All properties are conveniently located within walking distance of campus in safe, well-lit residential neighborhoods. Students will have direct access to my personal cell phone and to MTU Public Safety (906-487-2216), which is located near all rentals and is available 24/7.
I’ve been proudly renting to Michigan Tech students since 1983—over four decades of dependable housing and service. Each of my properties passes the City of Houghton’s annual inspections to ensure full compliance with safety and building standards. Tenants receive my direct phone number, and I respond quickly to any maintenance needs. Gas heat is included in the rent to help avoid high winter heating bills. I consistently return about 90% of security deposits, and when deductions are necessary, I provide detailed documentation and receipts. As a lifelong Houghton resident, I take pride in offering well-maintained, comfortable homes for MTU students.
Contact our team if you have further questions or would like more information.