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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 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
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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

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, 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, 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.

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 Criminal Law, Federal Crimes, Gov & Administrative Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can I own a firearm legally if I live with a felon if its for work?

I just moved to Michigan and currently live with a felon, I am trying to go to college for Criminal Justice and get my Guard Card to become an armed security guard. Is there a way for me to legally own a firearm for work if I live with a felon or do I need to move for that to happen?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 25, 2024

In Michigan, living with a felon does not automatically prohibit you from owning a firearm, especially if it is for work-related purposes such as becoming an armed security guard. However, strict precautions must be taken to ensure that the felon does not have access to the firearm, as this could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: My wife is on hospice care and they are trying to evict us. We have never been late on rent until this month but we were

We were already being evicted when we missed our first rent payment here ever. What can we do

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 23, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm very sorry for the ordeal this must cause. As you already realize from your selection of categories, see if you could arrange a free initial consult with L-T attorneys in the state. Some firms today offer... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Michigan on
Q: Does it void an eviction if the house goes in to probate after the eviction was ordered

My sister served me with a eviction papers after my mom passed away and the courts ordered the eviction and now my lawyer is sending it the house in the probate. Does that cancel out my eviction do I have to leave my house?

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Mar 21, 2024

More information is needed to answer this question. It is not apparent whether your sister had the authority to sue for eviction. Was she the owner of the house? Whether the probate action will result in different ownership is another question. Were that action to result in the recognition of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: My disabled/wheelchair,homebound father received a "notice to quit" No reason stated, other was marked.

8yr tenent, always paid rent on time. Has been homebound due to no handicap accessible ramps. Apt. never repaired for safety. I txt landlord an t said it was because they want to renovate. He has no where to go, no family in state and very low income senior with disabilities and no one else receive... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 20, 2024

In facing this challenging situation, it's crucial to first understand your father's rights as a tenant, especially considering his disability and the length of his tenancy. Many areas have specific laws protecting tenants from eviction without cause, particularly for seniors and... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: If I paid before our court date, how am I still being evicted?

I'm assuming my landlord went to court and said that they never received their payment and I get a notice in the mail saying that I still owe that amount plus fees. I didn't attend court because I paid what I owed. How?! If the balance was paid before the date? I was told by the clerk... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 27, 2023

That is true. Do you have proof of payment? Of the entire judgment amount?

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Insurance Bad Faith and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I have pending civil action against a landlord, I fell through my porch causing serious injury.

Medical records show a torn rotating cuff and damaged lathriel, I am in the process of retaining Lee Free. I will need to have surgery I am in pain daily, my insurance keeps sending me to every specialist and clinic they can find. I feel this is because they know once I win the judgement I have to... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 13, 2023

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. It may be because you are in the process of retaining an attorney, or may already have one on the case by now. Your attorney would be in the best position to advise here. Good luck

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