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Michigan Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: If you give your renter permission to put up a privacy fence can they tear it down when they leave?

They have a dog and our chain link fence at the property couldn’t hold their dog in so they asked t put in the fence. We never had an agreement to take money off rent or anything I am just wondering if they can tear it down? If so doesn’t our chain link fence need to be there still then?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 13, 2023

A written agreement would be most helpful in this matter; otherwise, the terms in your lease would be controlling. Fortunately, those general provisions would favor you: any permanent / structural changes to the property generally stay with the property.

Do you like the fence? To clear the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: Can condominium landlord still use the garbage services I pay for?

I have owned my condominium in Michigan for 25+ years and lived there the first 15. I still own the unit, but now I'm a landlord and rent it out. My tenant sends a monthly check to me and I pay the mortgage, taxes, and all condo association dues.

The condominium hires a waste... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on May 5, 2023

What does your lease say about that?

What about the condo association rules?

Does the contractor have limits?

How would you accomplish that?

If you’re getting the idea that you cannot get specific legal advice without hiring z lawyer you’ll understand why...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Landlord/Tenant question about eviction process in Georgia!

Due to a family emergency with my elderly parents, I had to relocate to Michigan. I could not pay my rent on April 1st. I contacted my landlord on March 31st and explained to them my situation. I have never been late on my rent until April. On April 11th, I received an email from my landlord... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Apr 22, 2023

You need to contact a Georgia attorney if the property is located in Georgia.

If Georgia law is anything like Michigan law, you may be in a tough spot with your lease expiring. The landlord could elect not to renew your lease regardless of your payment situation - the question would be a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: My lease ends in May my landlord said I can’t fix damages before that and he is keeping my SD. Can he do this?

My house burned down and I lost everything, I was living in a hotel room with three dogs. I was desperate for a place. The landlord raised rent $400 the night before I signed my lease because of my three dogs. He told me that the house was abandoned by the last tenant and that he understands the... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Apr 21, 2023

You've raised quite a lot of potential issues. First, I think you're probably on the right track, listen to your gut and do some research if you're unable to hire an attorney.

Now, the following --generalizations-- might help narrow down your search (but don't limit...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: If an apartment doesn’t list that a application fee is refundable or non refundable is that illegal?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 5, 2023

If the apartment is located in Michigan, apartment application fees generally are non-refundable.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: How can I get out of my office lease with these unlivable conditions?

I have an office suite for my company that has become increasingly unlivable, piles of dead bugs, bug feces, flying ant infestation, ant traps everywhere full of dead ants, extremely cold temperatures (59 f) on occasion, and office landlord does not fix the problem. Is there a way out of my... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Mar 14, 2023

Without reading your lease it is hard to say.

RESIDENTIAL leases have an implied warranty of habitability, but that is not automatically the case with commercial leases. (Indeed, many say ‘as is’ and if that’s not good enough, tough. )

Get your lease to a local licensed...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: My landlord is trying to evict me over $349 that I paid on January 11th. I called western union they said it was cashed.

I do not know what to do in regards to this because I have the receipt and paper demanding I pay or I will have to go to court. I paid. The next month it is still sitting on my account balance. Western union said i would have to fill out a paper , send it in with mail with a $30 money order to find... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 9, 2023

If the money is still in your account, regardless of mistake, you would be wise to now pay it to prevent eviction.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I lived in a condo that had mold in each unit one floor had four units & common area Does the assoc have to post this

I believe there’s a law in Michigan that the condo association has the post that there is lad, our mold in the buildings in the common area

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Mar 4, 2023

I believe you’re confusing rental property and condos. They are NOT the same thing, and the rules are distinct.

While there are FEDERAL rules about the disclosure of *LEAD* in both rentals and sales, there are no federal or state rules in Michigan about mold. For either condos or rental...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can a leasing agency legally enter my apartment when I am not present and without my permission if I live in Michigan?

The leasing agency did a complex-wide inspection for pets. My apartment was inspected while I was not there, and I did not give permission. They claim to have sent six notices of the inspection to my email weeks beforehand, but I did not receive any emails about inspections. Is what they're... View More

David Soble
PREMIUM
David Soble
answered on Mar 1, 2023

They can enter only if there is proper notice that is usually defined in a provision within the lease, or if there is an emergency. For more information please see www.ProvenResource.com

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can a landlord force the tenant to do repairs on the house even though they were not the tenants fault?

There is a sentence in the lease that states I am responsible for ALL repairs.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 13, 2023

Without looking at the lease, it's a reasonable interpretation to assume "all repairs" include those not your fault.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I entered into a bad land contract deal and I need help- the title company signed the deed over amongst other things

I bought my house 2/2020 and put it up for sale 10/2020 not knowing this was not allowed as I have a RD loan- I used a Realtor and she wrote a bad land contract for the sale. The buyer does not pay as agreed and I want to do a forfeiture but don't trust myself to try alone and really... View More

David Soble
PREMIUM
David Soble
answered on Jan 24, 2023

The real estate agent and their broker may be responsible for writing a legal document as non -attorneys. With regards to your land contract being called due, lenders and banks usually have provisions in their mortgage that call a note due upon the conveyance of title. The issue is whether or not,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: So I'm being sued from an apartment from 4 years ago. I paid my month to month and notified them of my leave.

It was agreed I pay month to month after March as I was in the process of looking and buying a home, which I found in April and was moved in by May 2018. I moved out at the end of May notified the complex like agreed and left the keys, four years later I'm being sued for June and July rent,... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Jan 5, 2023

Did you sign a lease that obligated you to pay rent for a period of time that extended past the date on which you moved out? I suspect that there was a lease, and it went through July 2018. If so, the fact that you notified the landlord of your intention to move probably makes no difference.

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: What are my options for unpaid rent from a collection agency?

We moved out of our apartment 2 months ago. We did not get evicted just money owed and because my mom was a co-signer they are trying to come after her for u paid rent for $5000.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 17, 2022

If a collection agency is involved, that means there is a judgment entered by a court. Your options for changing that judgment are few. The most cost-effective way forward is to contact the collection agency to work out a settlement.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can my co-op tell me me that my 17 year old granddaughter is not permitted to drive in our complex?

My 17 year old granddaughter lives with me in my co-op. The co-op office manager and co-op lawyer say that she is not allowed to drive in our co-op. Her car is legal and safe to drive. They say if survelience video catches her driving, I will be fined or possibly evicted. I have provided the office... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 8, 2022

Are they alleging she broke a co-op rule? It's possible for them to do that if they're saying some rule you agreed to by being a part of the co-op has been violated.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I am locked into a year lease that is not up until August. I received a notice to quit for non payment and the two optio
Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Dec 8, 2022

Your question got cut off and isn't really a question.

HOWEVER, I can answer.

You need to take your lease and that notice to quit and records showing whether or not you have paid the lease as agreed to a local attorney ASAP. We can't provide an answer here because the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I'm trying to get a lease from my landlord and she refuses to answer back to giving me a copy I've had several issues

With my house and she refuses to have them fixed she's constantly driving to and passed my house then texting or rolling her window down and hollering out but will not answer me she has already put her hands on me and grabbed me by the arm what can I do

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 21, 2022

Do you already have a lease signed, and you're just wanting a copy? What you can do depends on what you're willing to do. I think you can find a better place and a better landlord who will treat you professionally.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: This is about defamation of character. Where I reside they stated that I owed almost $6000 in back rent 275.00 late fees

I have documents of the above and a email from there office “everything is up to date”. Their make false accusations in writing too the court me an eviction notice on my apartment door.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 1, 2022

This isn't defamation of character. Best thing you can do is respond to the allegations in court.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can a friend who i have been living with and paying rent stop me from recovering the bodies of my pets from a home fire

Trying to find my dog who was trapped in a burning house so I can bury him along with a cat and another dog and I am being told not to come on property or will be arrested for trespassing by a friend i was living with. Also I am not responsible for the house fire the home owner caused the fire that... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 28, 2022

I'm unsure you have a right to go on that property. And depending on what's going on, it could be a secured scene for criminal or insurance purposes, so you definitely would not want to enter uninvited.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: If you live in apartment building in Michigan, that you feel is uninhabitable, does your landlord have to provide you wi

His insurance company’s name?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 22, 2022

No. Your landlord's insurance company is obligated to the landlord; for a tenant to contact or make a claim on a landlord's insurance would be like calling your neighbor's auto insurance carrier to report them speeding.

A landlord does have a legal obligation to provide an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I live in a market rate cooperative and own my townhouse. I was recently granted a PPO on an employee of the cooperative

That I was dating for the last 5 years. I alerted the BOD and management of the PPO and they haven’t responded, just saying that they have received copy of PPO. When I asked if he was working because I wanted to drop by the office they told me it was employee confidentiality and taunted me. I... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 22, 2022

Your former boyfriend is responsible for adhering to the terms of the PPO; not the employer, who has no more obligation to you than to him. It is unreasonable to expect an employer or cooperative to manage what is a personal legal issue between you two.

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