Successful landlords are able to obtain tenants based on how comfortable their services keep them. Making it easy for renters to enjoy their new apartments or houses determines how long you’ll be able to do business with them. Part of that process is developing a relationship, which includes knowing the rights that tenants have.
Landlords need to know how the laws in different states protect tenants from difficult situations. Such scenarios include how habitable the property is, unfair restrictions that keep tenants from applying, and their ability to access their homes. If you’re a landlord in Michigan, here are some of the rights your renters have.
Protection Against Discrimination
Civil rights play a major role in renters’ abilities to apply for or keep property. Landlords are not allowed to refuse potential tenants application opportunities based on their religion, race, age, sex, or color. Acts of discrimination also include giving different prices for property, changing terms and conditions of contracts, harassing or threatening a tenant, and not letting a person view their property. Landlords who play favoritism against certain tenants can also do so by evicting a tenant or telling them that no rentals are available.
It is also possible for landlords to discriminate against tenants with a disability by refusing to accommodate them based on the issue at hand. Landlords are not allowed to show preference to certain tenants based on their marital or familial status. Victims of domestic abuse, whether from acts of violence, stalking or other methods, are also protected under Michigan law from being refused or evicted from their property.
Property In Good Condition
Tenants are also entitled to a home that that landlord must keep in good condition and maintain on a regular basis. This doesn’t just include the house or apartment and everything inside, but also the yard and other parts of the property outside. Once a landlord is told about a situation that caused damage to the property, they are obligated to make repairs in a reasonable time. Scenarios that could require a fix up include pipelines in one of the rooms breaking, a car parking on the tenant’s garden, or a tree falling through the roof during a thunderstorm.
Not responding to requests for repairs can affect landlords financially. Tenants are allowed to put their rent in an escrow account or pay for the repairs themselves and deduct the cost from their rent if you don’t respond to their request. It is important for landlords to have services on call for repairs, such as janitorial and cleaning services in Kalamazoo, MI for problems inside the dwelling. Issues involving fire or water damage can be fixed by different companies including professional restoration services in Kalamazoo, MI.
Access To Property
Renters’ enjoyment of your property is also affected by the peace, quiet, and privacy that they are able to experience. Another right that they are entitled to is access to their homes, which means that you can’t do anything to prevent them from having it. Actions that landlords are barred from taking in this case include entering an apartment or house without the renter’s permission, using or threatening force to make someone leave or keep them out, and changing or adding locks or security devices to the property without the tenant’s say-so.
Landlords are not allowed to cause loud noises and similar inconveniences, as well as turn off electricity, water and other services. Boarding up the property to make entry into a home difficult or impossible is definitely not permissible.
One situation that gives a landlord the right to enter the home without a tenant’s permission is if there is an emergency. Such situations include physical damage, a gas leak, or other hazard that can affect the tenants. If the circumstance is not an emergency, will need permission and a time to enter from the renter before you can go into the home and fix the issue.
Developing A Relationship
It’s best for you to develop a trusting relationship with your tenants so that none of their rights are violated. The best way to do this is by making yourself available through your cell phone, work phone, and email. This will come in handy in case a tenant’s property is damaged or burglarized while they’re on vacation and you need to get inside to solve the issue.
Providing an online rental application that allows tenants to detail personal information helps build a trusting relationship. You should give them the chance to share data that they would normally feel discriminated for so that they know you’ll be fair to them.
Keep these rights in mind so that you have a good relationship with your renters that lasts.