Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Sterling Heights

Find the right Tenant attorney in Sterling Heights, MI

Tenant Law in Michigan

Relations between tenants and landlords in Sterling Heights, Michigan can sometimes be touchy. The fact is that it's not easy to be a landlord or a tenant, especially because landlords and tenants often don't understand the legal rights and responsibilities that apply to them.

Both parties to a landlord/tenant relationship are governed by an extensive body of laws and regulations, defining their legal rights and obligations.

Landlord's Rights in Sterling Heights, MI

First and foremost, landlords have a right to timely payment of rent from their tenants, at the agreed-upon rate. This, of course, imposes on tenants a duty to pay their rent in full, in a timely manner.

Also, landlords have a right to be compensated for damage a tenant causes to a rented unit, either intentionally or negligently. Landlords have a right to deduct repair costs from tenants' security deposits, unless the damage was caused by normal wear and tear, for which tenants are not liable.

Tenant's Rights in Sterling Heights, MI

The most basic right of a tenant is the right to a living space that's fit for human habitation. This is, after all, what they're paying the landlord to provide. Landlords in Sterling Heights, Michigan are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are many factors that are considered in determining if an unit is habitable or not, but, generally, an unit will not be deemed habitable if it lacks any of the following: running water, electricity, heat, and protection from the elements (such as proper insulation, and windows that close).

Tenants also have a right to ensure that the common areas of their apartment building are reasonably safe. Landlords are required to make sure that the common areas of their buildings meet Sterling Heights, Michigan's building codes, and that there are no conditions that create unnecessary safety hazards. They are required to make, at their own expense, the necessary repairs.

Tenants also have rights, under federal and Michigan law, to not be victims of racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination in housing, whether they are renting or buying. Furthermore, landlords are not allowed to discriminate against tenants based on physical disabilities. They must also allow physically-disabled tenants to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible. However, the landlord can require tenants to remove those modifications and restore the property to its original condition once the tenant moves out.

Finally, tenants are legally protected from arbitrary eviction. Landlords generally must have a very good reason to evict a tenant before the lease agreement reaches the end of its term (at this point, they are of course allowed to decline to renew the lease). Of course, if the tenant breaches the lease agreement (such as by failing to pay rent, damaging the property, or violating other reasonable rules the landlord has put in the lease), the landlord, like a party to any other contract, is free to terminate the agreement and evict the breaching tenant.

Can a Sterling Heights, Michigan Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants usually prefer to avoid getting into fights with one another, for obvious reasons. A harmonious relationship is profitable for everyone involved. To that end, the advice of a good Sterling Heights, Michigan landlord/tenant attorney can help defuse arguments before they become too serious.

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Life in Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights, Michigan is an important suburb of Detroit. It is located in Macomb County, about half an hour away from downtown Detroit. The city is most noted as a recipient of various safety awards, and was named Michigan's safest city in 2010. Sterling Heights maintains a "Sidewalk Inspection Program", which utilizes meter readings for reporting hazardous sidewalks conditions.

The local economy of Sterling Heights is stimulated by the presence of over 3,500 industrial and commercial businesses. Major employers in the city include General Dynamics, Visteon, and Detroit Free Press. Of notable interest in Chrysler's Sterling Heights Stamping Plant, the world's largest stamping plant for metals. Sterling Height's close location to Detroit has also attracted several automotive industry companies.

In addition to its diverse economy, Sterling Heights is an excellent city for families. The city holds several very popular events such as Music in the Park, "A Sterling Christmas", and Sterlingfest. Residents can also visit Dodge Park, which serves as host to a number of concerts and events throughout the year.

Lawyers in Sterling Heights, Michigan offer legal service in a wide range of legal fields. They are experienced in a variety of legal matters and disputes. Many Sterling Heights attorneys represent clients in the Macomb County District Court.

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