Landlord-Tenant Matters

Information first-time Michigan landlords should know

Buying and renting property represents a significant investment for landlords. If you are unfamiliar with the process it can be intimidating, especially if you are renting out property for the first time, but when done correctly it can go smoothly while also providing a consistent source of income. Each state

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It is not always a tenant complaint that starts legal trouble

Landlords who own apartment complexes or other forms of residential rental properties provide necessary housing for people from all walks of life. In many ways, complying with the complex regulations that apply to residential property management in the Detroit area is complex. Anti-discrimination laws and rules that seem to limit

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Smoke-Free Provisions in Apartment Leases

Throughout Michigan, more and more owners of market-rate apartment buildings are choosing to make their properties smoke-free. This makes good business sense because: There is a preference by tenants for smoke-free facilities. The rehab cost for a unit occupied by a non-smoker is much lower than the cost for a

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Landlord/tenant dispute: Carbon monoxide in home a risk

In any relationship between a landlord and a tenant, there are standards that must be met to ensure the health and welfare of the occupants of a rental property. Some Michigan landlords do not honor these protocols, putting the lives of tenants at risk. A recent landlord/tenant dispute involves allegations that

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Landlord/tenant dispute finally results in eviction

For one landlord in another state, the fight to get tenants legally evicted was a long and complicated process. The landlord/tenant dispute took months to resolve and no less than 10 court appearances. Michigan landlords may benefit from understanding how the case unfolded and what procedures finally ended the ordeal.

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Management of vacation property can cause landlord/tenant issues

A real estate transaction or management arrangement can lead to a dispute among the parties involved for any number of reasons. While leases and purchase agreements are typically pretty clear about management details and property matters in Michigan, any discord can result in a dispute that requires legal support or guidance.

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Landlord/tenant dispute at center of recent Michigan eviction

Most landlord/tenant issues can be avoided when leases and contracts are well-prepared and both sides are clear about responsibilities and expectations. However, even when there are leases in place, landlord/tenant disputes or a landlord’s disregard for outlined responsibilities can occur and require legal intervention. Apartment tenants in Michigan are currently

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Landlord/tenant dispute gets heated as gas is shut off

Renters expect their landlords will provide a safe and peaceful place for them to live. When there is a landlord/tenant dispute, tenants may feel there is no other way to protect their rights as a group. Renters in Michigan and elsewhere who feel their landlord has violated their rights or intimidated

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Dramatic rent increase results in landlord/tenant dispute

Rental amounts can naturally be a point of contention for landlords and tenants. When an agreement is reached and a lease signed, there are rarely disagreements that lead to legal intervention. However, when one party feels the other has acted unfairly, a landlord/tenant dispute can erupt and lead to the

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Fate of church at center of landlord/tenant dispute

Whenever a tenant moves into a dwelling or establishment, that tenant may embark on making improvements to the property. Typically, the landlord gives permission for specific improvements, and an agreement between parties is reached. However, there may be instances where a landlord/tenant dispute erupts over the fate of property once

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A closer look at ‘animal house’ ordinances

The unfortunate reality is that almost every rental property owner has some sort of experience dealing with less than ideal tenants. While these tenants may have been problematic due to more minor issues like excessive noise or bothersome pets, still others might have been problematic because of more serious issues

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Do I need a lawyer for a landlord-tenant dispute?

Whether you are a landlord dealing with an unruly tenant or a tenant facing ongoing issues with your landlord, disputes can quickly escalate and become overwhelming to deal with. Many people consider the idea of hiring a lawyer, but worry about the cost and the amount of time it could

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Paperwork key to avoiding landlord tenant disputes

A legal contract between a landlord and a tenant is put in place as a means of protecting both parties. In Michigan, a lease is the most common document used and is key to both ensuring clarity and preventing landlord tenant disputes from arising. Unfortunately, even after signing a lease,

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Help for when real estate transactions get tricky

Most deals or agreements made concerning real estate flow smoothly and all parties are quite pleased with the results. However, not all real estate transactions in Michigan are as cut and dry as others. There may be times when a leasing issue or other issue between a landlord and tenant

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Getting an eviction right

Landlords hope that all of their tenants will be good ones who conscientiously follow all the terms of their lease agreement. Unfortunately, the conduct of some tenants here in Michigan ends up falling far below this hope. Sometimes, lease-breaching conduct by a tenant is so severe that anything short of

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Disputes over security deposits

It is common for a Michigan landlord to collect a security deposit from new tenants. There are a variety of different rules Michigan law has in place regarding security deposits. It can be very important for landlords to understand and follow these rules when it comes to their security deposit

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Advice for avoiding landlord-tenant disagreements

The best landlords have a knack for picking the best tenants. By taking the time necessary to select a good tenant, Michigan landlords can avoid many landlord-tenant disagreements. They can save a lot of time, money and potential headache as well. Fortunately, there are some great steps that every landlord

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Landlord-tenant disagreements don’t have to ruin you

Having rental properties can be a good source of income, but when tenants become more of a liability than an asset, handling the situation can become complex. Because you are probably busy with other endeavors, having to handle tenants who don’t want to pay rent on time or who are

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What should you know about inventory checklists in Michigan?

When signing a lease in Michigan, the landlord is probably going to provide you with an inventory checklist. This could be important later, as these checklists are often cited in landlord-tenant disagreements. Understanding how the process works under local laws is crucial when it comes to protecting your rights. The

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What lead-safety laws govern construction work in Michigan?

In most cases, Michigan landlords are required to provide some basic assurances of safety to tenants. Renting apartments in a building that is falling down is unethical and could be illegal. Gray areas exist with regard to landlord responsibility for tenant safety, often resulting in landlord-tenant disagreements over repairs or

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Michigan contractor and tenants involved in housing dispute

Before entering into any real estate transaction, buyers must have a thorough understanding of everything that is — and isn’t — stipulated in the contracts. Prospective buyers who do not have legal or real estate professionals review the contracts before signing may find themselves in a sticky situation as one

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Michigan landlords want higher water deposits

Town officials in Saginaw, Michigan, are thinking of making a change to the way that water customers are allowed to open up new accounts. Until now, they had been asking people for $100 when they started an account, but they are discussing a move that would raise that total to

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