Tenants And Landlords Resource Guide - Michigan State University, College Of Law (Page 6 of 39) in pdf

Q5 Once the proper notice is prepared, how must it be delivered to the tenant? ..............17

TAKING THE ACTION TO COURT

Q1 What must the landlord do to begin a lawsuit for eviction? ........................................18

Q2 What must the tenant do after receiving the Complaint? .............................................19

Q3 What happens if the tenant fails to appear and answer after receiving the Complaint?20

Q4 Once a lawsuit is started, can the parties still try to negotiate or mediate an

agreement? .........................................................................................................................20

Q5 If the parties reach an agreement, do they still have to appear in court? .....................20

Q6 What possible defenses to a lawsuit for eviction might a tenant have? .......................20

Q7 What can the parties expect to see happen at trial? ......................................................21

Q8 If the landlord wins the lawsuit for eviction, how soon can the tenant and his/her

personal property be removed? ..........................................................................................21

Q9 Can the tenant be evicted and still forced to pay money damages to the landlord? ....22

Mediation

THE MEDIATION PROCESS ................................................................................................22

COMMUNITY MEDIATION CENTERS ..............................................................................23

Small Claims Court

Q1 How do I begin a small claims lawsuit? ......................................................................23

Q2 What do I do if I have been sued in small claims court? .............................................24

Q3 How do I prepare for the hearing? ...............................................................................24

Q4 What happens at the hearing? ......................................................................................25

Q5 How do I collect my money? .......................................................................................25

Repair and Maintenance

LANDLORD’S RESPONSIBILITIES ....................................................................................26

TENANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES ..........................................................................................27

IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE ............................................................................................27

HOW MUCH RENT SHOULD BE WITHHELD? ................................................................28

WHAT IF THE LANDLORD STARTS THE EVICTION PROCESS? ................................28

Additional Considerations

Civil Rights ........................................................................................................................29

Housing Codes, Smoke Detectors......................................................................................29

Pet Restrictions ..................................................................................................................29

Smoking .............................................................................................................................29

Lead-Based Paint ...............................................................................................................30

Appendices

Security Deposit Timeline

Eviction Timeline

Michigan Community Mediation Centers Directory

Location of Documents and Forms Referred to in this Guide

Tenants And Landlords Resource Guide - Michigan State University, College Of Law Page 6