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Michigan Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I evict a buyer for my land contract if they default and I have filed a forfeiture notice?

Here is the wording of my contract:

Forfeit

f) If the Purchaser shall fail to perform this contract or any part thereof, the Seller immediately after such default shall have the right to declare the same forfeited and void, and retain whatever may have been paid hereon, and all... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Aug 7, 2023

Yes. A land contract forfeiture action is provided for by the court rules, and there are court forms for the procedure. An attorney could handle this for you, or you might be able to get it dome yourself.

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: My landlord entered my home when I was gone for the weekend for my daughter's birthday was this legal for him to do?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 31, 2023

Depends on the reason and purpose: Broken pipe? Yes; Coming in to eat your food? No.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: If I give 30-days notice to landlord, what are my rights if he cones back and says we need to be out in 2 weeks because,

that's when lease expires. Have lived there 6 years, always paid on time, etc. Haven't had a lease in over a year.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 14, 2023

If you have been living in the property for over a year without a lease, you are likely considered a month-to-month tenant. In most cases, providing a 30-day notice should be sufficient to terminate the tenancy.

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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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: i was recently sued in court for a landlord tentant case me being the tentant and didnt know til the last court date he

is a lawyer and after showing in his paperwork summited that he had pictures of my kids and i dont know how he got them think he had cameras ans showing the judge that his receipts didnt match his bank statments and other things found out he opened my mail sent to his house and opened it and... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 15, 2023

The time period to appeal is very short and is explained in your copy of the court order. There are several actions you need to take to successfully appeal, and they need to be done timely or you completely miss the opportunity.

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
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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
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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

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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