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I have an unwanted guest, who is my male friend's brother, staying in my apartment. My male friend and I share the lease, but I originally moved in alone, put down the deposit, and my credit was run for the lease. My male friend started as an occupant but is now on the lease. I've been... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2025
You and your roommate both have equal rights to possess the apartment under the lease, so you cannot unilaterally lock out or remove his brother; police will usually treat this as a civil issue, not trespass, because he is there with a tenant’s permission. Do not change the locks or shut off... View More
I live in Michigan, and my lease specifies that I must give two months' notice or pay $1600 if I want to end the lease early. I am considering moving within the next year and want to know if this requirement is legal. Are landlords allowed to set such conditions in Michigan, and do tenants... View More
answered on Nov 6, 2025
Yes—under Michigan law, a fixed‑term lease can lawfully include an early‑termination clause that requires you to give two months’ notice or pay a stated fee. Courts generally treat such provisions as a bargained‑for “liquidated damages” option rather than a penalty when the clause is... View More
My husband worked as a maintenance man at an apartment complex and recently signed a lease there. However, a week after signing, he was fired. There were no specific reasons given for his termination, except that there was an argument with another maintenance guy, Woody, two weeks prior, which... View More
answered on Nov 5, 2025
It’s understandable to feel frustrated after your husband’s sudden termination, especially right after signing a lease at the same property where he worked. In most states, including those with strong employment protections, a job can still be considered “at-will,” meaning the employer can... View More
I live in Michigan, and my rental agreement includes water and internet in the rent. The only utility I am responsible for is electricity. I recently had a court hearing on October 30, 2025, where the judge granted me until November 28, 2025, to pay my overdue rent. However, I just called Glen Oaks... View More
answered on Nov 3, 2025
No, your landlord cannot legally turn off the internet service that is included in your rent while you are still lawfully occupying the property. Since the court granted you until November 28, 2025, to pay your overdue rent, you remain a lawful tenant during that time. Under Michigan... View More
I own my mobile home and have received a Writ of Restitution from the court due to non-payment of lot rent. We went to court, and the judgment was entered against us, giving us until October 20, 2025, to either pay or vacate the premises. My question is: Will the police be able to remove us if we... View More
answered on Oct 16, 2025
If you received a Writ of Restitution, it means the court has officially authorized your landlord or park management to proceed with eviction if payment is not made by the deadline. Once that date passes without full payment or voluntary move-out, law enforcement—usually the county sheriff—can... View More
I'm facing eviction in Michigan from a mobile home park where I own the home but rent the lot. We've lived here for 11 years, but due to losing child care clients, we're behind on lot rent payments by four months. We received a formal eviction notice giving us 10 days to pay or... View More
answered on Oct 16, 2025
You will not be physically removed by police just because of a 10-day “pay or vacate” notice. In Michigan, the park must first file an eviction case, obtain a judgment, and then get an Order of Eviction (also called a Writ of Restitution); only a court officer or sheriff enforces that writ.... View More
I've recently sold a property in Michigan that has holdover tenants refusing to leave. The new owner is working on evicting them due to a lack of Certificate of Occupancy (COO), but refuses to take on utility costs until they've vacated. This leaves me with the burden of paying for... View More
answered on Oct 7, 2025
It’s understandable to feel frustrated when you’re still covering expenses for tenants who refuse to leave, especially after selling the property. In Michigan, a **holdover tenant**—someone who remains after their lease has ended—does not have the same rights as a lawful tenant, but you... View More
I have a custody order with my daughter's father that grants us joint legal custody and specifies that he should have her 45% of the time. However, he does not adhere to this schedule, and I have my daughter every day and night. Additionally, the order states that I do not have to disclose my... View More
answered on Oct 6, 2025
You have every right to feel upset and violated if your ex has shared your address despite a court order prohibiting it. When a custody order includes a **confidential address provision**, that protection is meant to ensure your privacy and safety, especially if there’s a history of conflict or... View More
I'm living in an apartment complex where neighbors are smoking weed, violating the lease agreement that prohibits smoking within 20 feet of apartments. The smell enters our unit through vents, worsening my pregnancy-related nausea and causing headaches for my husband and me. We've... View More
answered on Oct 2, 2025
IF there is a clause in your lease that prohibits smoking (of anything) within 20 feet of or inside the building and
IF you have notified the landlord in writing about this violation (and kept copies of the notifications!) and
IF the landlord has failed to take action to stop this... View More
I filed a claim in the Cass County District Court in Michigan against my ex-husband to retrieve my personal yearbooks, including those belonging to my late first husband, which have our names in them. My ex-husband is refusing to return them unless I pay him $500 for a medical bill incurred before... View More
answered on Sep 23, 2025
You can start by refiling your claim in Cass County District Court, making clear that the yearbooks are your personal property and that the divorce decree does not link you to your ex-husband’s medical bills. Include any documentation showing that the yearbooks are yours or belonged to your late... View More
A rental company came onto my personal property and entered my barn to remove a piece of heavy-duty equipment that belonged to them. The equipment had not been reported stolen. There was no prior communication or agreement regarding this action, I did not give permission for them to enter my... View More
answered on Sep 22, 2025
In Michigan, entering someone else’s property without permission can be considered trespassing, even if no damage occurs. Since the rental company came onto your land and entered your barn without prior notice or consent, you may have grounds to assert a claim. The fact that the equipment... View More
I have a case against my landlord for harassment. Over the past 8 months, I've been served with 17 eviction notices. Additionally, windows in my house were broken, which I believe may be related to the landlord's actions, and he has refused to fix them. I filed a police report regarding... View More
answered on Sep 10, 2025
I don’t mean this to be ‘flippant’ but your best option is to move.
While there are legal recourses available to harassment none is as effective as getting out of the abusive relationship. 17 eviction notices in less than a year that have not resulted in an eviction is a HUGE... View More
I am a tenant in an apartment that was filthy, smelled like wet dog, and had bugs crawling out of the fridge upon my arrival. My landlord replaced the fridge, but the smell worsened, and maintenance now suspects something died. Although the carpet is being replaced, the smell persists, and repairs... View More
answered on Sep 2, 2025
In Michigan, landlords are required to provide housing that is safe, sanitary, and fit to live in. The conditions you describe—persistent odors, bugs, debris left by maintenance, and unclean living spaces—could make the apartment legally “uninhabitable.” If a landlord fails to maintain... View More
My mother is currently on hospice care, and our landlord recently informed us verbally, without any written notice, that we need to vacate by October 1st. We received this notification through my aunt. In the past, my father had paid a reduced rent to cover roof repairs, but since my mother’s... View More
answered on Sep 2, 2025
In Michigan, a landlord cannot legally evict you with just a verbal request or short notice. Evictions must follow a formal legal process, which includes providing written notice that complies with state law, and if you don’t leave, filing through the court system. A verbal demand communicated... View More
I recently moved into an apartment, and I've discovered mold. The mold has caused health issues, including a cough and burning lungs. There was mention of mold in the lease agreement. I have photos of the mold. What steps should I take to address this issue with my landlord?
answered on Sep 1, 2025
Since you are already experiencing health issues from the mold, it’s important to act quickly. Start by putting your concerns in writing to your landlord, even if you’ve spoken to them verbally. Include the date you discovered the mold, how it is affecting your health, and attach copies of the... View More
My mom and stepdad were married and lived in his family home in Michigan for 30 years. He passed away a couple of months ago, and his will states that she should be taken care of until her death. Despite this, his children verbally told her yesterday that she must move out within 30 days. Beyond... View More
answered on Sep 11, 2025
Since your stepdad’s will provides for your mom to be cared for until her death, she generally has a legal right to remain in the home as outlined in the will. The first step is to determine whether the will has been formally submitted to probate in Michigan, because until probate is opened, it... View More
I am the sole owner of my vehicle, but my husband was temporarily added to the title while I restored my license. Now he's trying to sign it over to someone else's name. He has access to the title but I haven't taken legal action yet. I have all purchasing documents and communication... View More
answered on Sep 1, 2025
Since your husband is on the title, he currently has some authority over the vehicle, but that does not mean he can freely transfer it without your consent. Most states require both listed owners to sign off before a vehicle can be sold or transferred, so you should confirm with the Secretary of... View More
I purchased a vehicle two months ago while I wasn’t employed, and it was registered in my ex-boyfriend’s name. Although I have a text message agreement indicating ownership and proof of payment through my bank, my ex-boyfriend, who currently possesses the vehicle, is attempting to keep it. I... View More
answered on Jul 27, 2025
You paid for the vehicle and have clear proof—your bank records and text agreement—showing you’re the true owner, so you have the right to reclaim it. Your first step is to send your ex a written demand (by certified mail) asking him to return the car within a set deadline (for example, ten... View More
I am the power of attorney for both medical and financial decisions for my mother, who owns the house I live in. She is currently in a nursing home, and the house will be lady bird deeded to me upon her passing. I've lived here all my life, and no other family members reside here. My sister... View More
answered on Jul 27, 2025
The individual holding power of attorney (POA) for their mother is not legally obligated to provide free accommodation to their sibling during the sibling's visit to the property owned by the mother. The POA grants the individual authority to manage the mother's financial and medical... View More
I hired a contractor to get a second opinion on water damage to my living room ceiling because my landlord claims it's due to pet water dishes spilling from the room above, which did not happen. The lease mentions responsibility for pet-related damages, and we paid a non-refundable pet... View More
answered on Jul 26, 2025
You have the right to seek a second opinion, especially if you disagree with your landlord’s explanation for the damage. Since you are paying for your own contractor and not requesting repairs at the landlord’s expense, you should not automatically be charged for their presence during the... View More
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