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Michigan Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can someone run and own a trailer park without a license and also rent out trailers they dont have the titles to.
T. Augustus Claus
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T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 6, 2023

Operating a trailer park without the necessary licenses, proper ownership documentation for rented trailers, and compliance with zoning, land use, health, and safety regulations can lead to significant legal issues. It's crucial to adhere to the specific laws and regulations in your state and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: 30 day termination of tenancy

If I have tenants thats lease has expired (expired in may) and they are now month to month can I give them a 30 day notice to vacate since they aren’t willing to sign a new lease? They have been behind on rent the last 4 months on their month to month but recently got caught up.

David Soble
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David Soble
answered on Sep 1, 2023

Yes. You can provide the tenants with a 30 day Notice to Quit once the lease has expired. Generally speaking, and barring any provision to the contrary that makes the lease automatically renewable, upon the expiration of an annual lease, the lease becomes a month to month lease.

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: 30 day termination of tenancy

If I have tenants thats lease has expired (expired in may) and they are now month to month can I give them a 30 day notice to vacate since they aren’t willing to sign a new lease? They have been behind on rent the last 4 months on their month to month but recently got caught up.

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Sep 1, 2023

I concur, you can give a 30 day notice for ANY (or no) reason. HOWEVER, be sure you do it right. If you don't give appropriate notice either by missing a deadline or 'rushing' the move out date or not including all the required statutory language it will be 'defective' and... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: son lease ended August 15th and he turned in his keys. brother leased the same apartment. Lease was to begin August 26.

Signed early occupancy for August 15th, The day his brothers lease ended. First son left all furniture, tv’s and personal belongings for brother to have. Brother did not pick up keys to move in until the 21st. On August 17, Landlord threw out all belongings left in apartment.

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Aug 29, 2023

That is not a question, you've simply made some factual assertions. What is your question? Did the landlord have the right to pitch the stuff? Depends on the terms of the leases. If the one said 'anything left becomes property of the landlord' and the other said 'the rental is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I live in a home that the primary leaseholder was asked to vacate property I was never give notification do I have to go

I've lived here for almost 4 months I do not have immediate plans to be able to move just wants to know what will happen if I can't get out right away

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Aug 8, 2023

Whether you've lived there for 4 days, 4 months or 4 years, the answer is the same. If you are 'subletting' (which is what I assume you mean) your rights are the exact same as the tenant you're leasing from -- or less if the lease prohibits subleasing. You probably weren't... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I currently had my Landlord/Homeowner die last week. We lived in the same dwelling

His Family told me I have 30 days that they are returning the house to the bank we have a lease and every receipt for the last 3 years almost 4 we lived here and what do I do with the rent money they are asking me to give them

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

Mr Soble is absolutely spot on correct about consulting with a LOCAL real estate attorney about your situation.

But your question is a bit unclear.

You say you have a lease. Is that lease ending at some point in the FUTURE, or has it already ended and you're now 'month...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can I take my landlord to court for not following their own lease terms they made me sign?

I moved into my current residence 2 1/2 years ago. I have had cosmetic issues with the yard from day one (safety was compromised) I asked many times to get it fixed . I was ignored . 4 months later after I made a scene it was fixed. I learned there were registered sex offenders living in the park... View More

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

What would you be looking for a court to do about your situation? The only thing a court could do is let you out of your lease without repercussion. But it sounds like you should be looking for a different place to live anyway...

Housing complexes - especially ones owned by corporations -...
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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 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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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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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

Peter J. Weinman
Peter J. Weinman pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 15, 2023

Have you contacted the landlord about these conditions, and assuming so, what does he say? Nobody here can say for sure without seeing your lease, but very often, with commercial leases, the tenant is responsible for some of the things you're complaining about. You should speak with the... View More

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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 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
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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, 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

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Jan 24, 2023

Let me rephrase your question slightly and see if you don't spot the 'common thread' here and what you need to do to 'stop the cycle':

1) I bought land without having an attorney review the transaction.

2) I had a real estate agent who is NOT an attorney...
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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

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Jan 6, 2023

Do you have COPIES of the documents you delivered returning the keys and providing your forwarding address?

Without copies, you didn't send them (the landlord WILL claim this!)

Your best bet at this point is to hire an attorney to fight this or just pay (a probably smaller...
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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 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 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 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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