My Landlord Stops By Unannounced - So you've been living in your rented apartment/house for some time and you've noticed that the landlord likes to randomly stop by like he/she owns the place. Okay, they do own it; however, they have no right to just stop by. The...
Michigan’s Marketable Record Title Act and What it Means to You if You Live in a Condominium or Subdivision
In 2018, the Michigan Legislature amended the Marketable Record Title Act (“MRTA”), MCL 565.101, et seq. Under the MRTA, a person has Under the Act, a person has marketable title to an interest in land if they have an unbroken chain of title to the interest for 40...
COVID-19 and Condominium and Subdivision Common Areas: Can Associations in Michigan Get Sued if Someone Gets COVID-19?
Another article about COVID-19 you say? I know that we are all tired of it and we all want to get back to our old way of life, but over a year later we are still dealing with what many of us naively thought would go away within a few weeks. A lot has changed since...
(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About Residential Security Deposits in Michigan
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, it is important that you know your rights and responsibilities when it comes to security deposits. There are specific things that a landlord must do in order to take a security deposit from a tenant and to keep security deposit...
You’ve Died. Are Those Charged with Handling Your Affairs Prepared?
You have been proactive as far as getting your estate plan in place. You have a trust, a pour over will, powers of attorneys, and HIPAA authorizations. You have your beneficiaries named for your life insurance policies and retirement accounts. But, do your loved ones...
Fighting Your Condominium Association or HOA Could Cost You…. A Lot!
Depending on who you are, you either love living in a condominium or subdivision governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA) or you hate it. If you are one of those people that likes things uniform and loves following the rules, you are probably just fine living in a...
Ahoy! Conflict of Interest Ahead: Does Your Condominium or HOA Attorney Represent Your Management Company?
If an attorney represents your condominium association or homeowners association (HOA), it would be wise to find out if that attorney represents or has ever represented your management company. Why? Because that is a conflict of interest. The Michigan Rules of...
Snowbirds Do Not Forget to Winterize Your Condo Unit’s Pipes Before Flying South!
The freezing cold temperatures of winter are right around the corner and now is the time that a lot of Michigan’s Snowbirds begin making their way to warmer temperatures. But for Snowbirds living in attached condominiums in Michigan during the warmer months of the...
Do you qualify for the CDC Moratorium on Evictions? Maybe and Maybe Not.
As of September 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ordered a moratorium on residential evictions through December 31, 2020.[1] However, a tenant is not automatically entitled to take advantage of this moratorium. What does a tenant have...
How to Hire a GOOD Contractor: Five Simple Tips
Many factors have made 2020 an interesting year. We are now fully understanding the cause and effect that a global pandemic has on many industries. While some industries such as travel and entertainment have been devastated, others, such as home improvement services,...