A Successful Landlord-Tenant Relationship. In order for a landlord-tenant relationship to be successful, both parties must be aware of their rights. Those rights are found both in Michigan law as well as any contract. It is important that any landlord-tenant relationship be placed in writing in the form of a lease. The lease should be clear and plainly written. Michigan law relating to the landlord-tenant relationship, especially relating to residential leases, is very complicated. The law contains many important tenant protections that must be understood by the landlord. Although any lease should contain many basic provisions, for example, the names of the parties to the lease, the location of the premises, the term of the lease, the amount of rent to be paid, who is responsible for utilities, as well as information relating to a security deposit and many other provisions. Michigan law is very specific regarding the provisions that must be included in a lease and even how the lease must state certain legal rights. Those provisions include a notice to the tenant advising the tenant of the tenant’s rights and responsibilities relating to the security deposit, as well as notices relating to the Michigan Truth-in-Renting Act, a law that dictates what terms may and may not be put into a lease. Many landlords do not realize that there are many lease provisions that are prohibited by the Truth-in-Renting Act. If you have questions relating to the law of landlord-tenant relations, you should consult with an experienced business or real estate attorney.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:58:39 +0000