Landlord Dispute Lawyers in Traverse City, Michigan

The Neumann Law Group is a landlord dispute law firm in Traverse City, Michigan that works with individuals and families who are facing eviction, housing discrimination, or other tenant’s rights issues. For example, if your landlord won’t make necessary repairs to your property, making the property unlivable or making it difficult to live in the property, you may have rights. If the property has mold or an issue that is making you sick or has hazards that could lead to injury, you and your family may also have rights. Or, if your landlord refuses to return your security deposit, you may also have rights. A landlord dispute lawyer like the Neumann Law Group in Traverse City, Michigan may be able to help you resolve your landlord tenant dispute, may be able to help you if you are facing eviction, and may be able to help you get your security deposit back if it is wrongfully being held or denied to you.

Your Rights If You are Facing Eviction

If you are facing eviction, you have rights. Given the financial difficulties many Americans have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also due to financial insecurity many families were facing before the pandemic, more families and individuals than ever may soon be facing eviction or may already be in the process of being evicted. But this is not the only reason why people face eviction.

Others may find themselves being evicted for discriminatory reasons. If you have signed a lease, you have a right to live in the property for the term of the lease. Your landlord isn’t permitted to evict you for no reason at all, or because you report a broken appliance or broken pipe, or because you filed a complaint with local authorities because your landlord wouldn’t fix the property.

Do you think you’re being evicted because a loved one is disabled or mentally ill, or because you have children, or because your landlord doesn’t like the religion you practice? Are you being evicted on the basis of religion, sex, gender identity, race, or other protected characteristic? If so, you may also have the right to fight your eviction in court as a form of housing discrimination.

Another situation where a tenant cannot be evicted is when a tenant withholds paying rent until a safety issue is fixed or repair is made. For example, if there is a broken pipe in the house and the landlord didn’t repair it in time, and the tenant had to pay for the repair, the tenant has the right to deduct those expenses from their rent.

If you are sent an eviction notice, after withholding rent, or believe you were sent an eviction notice for discriminatory reasons, what can you do? What are your rights?

First of all, it is important to understand that if you are sent an eviction notice, you do not need to move out right away. You have the right to fight the eviction in court. Make a note of the court date, and consider reaching out to the landlord dispute lawyer in Traverse City, Michigan like the Neumann Law Group. Seeking legal assistance can help you remain in your home, and even help you get damages if you were sent an eviction notice for discriminatory reasons.

What Can You Do If Your Landlord Won’t Return Your Security Deposit?

If your landlord won’t return your security deposit, you may have rights. The first step you may want to take if your landlord won’t return your security deposit is to ask your landlord why he or she is keeping the deposit. In most instances, your landlord may need to explain to you in writing why he or she is keeping your deposit. For example, are there repairs that need to be made? Did you break your lease? If your landlord cannot provide a valid reason for not returning your security deposit, you may have the right to pursue the deposit either through a demand letter or through small claims court.

The Neumann Law Group is a landlord dispute lawyer in Traverse City, Michigan that may be able to help you if your landlord won’t return your security deposit. Reach out to our Traverse City, Michigan landlord dispute attorney today to learn more about your rights and options. We may be able to help you write a demand letter, ask for evidence from your landlord regarding why they are keeping your deposit, or even pursue the case in court.

What Can You Do If Your Landlord Won’t Make Repairs

There are several options that may be available to you if your landlord won’t make repairs, or if there is a hazardous situation in your rental home that your landlord is not addressing. It is important to understand that when taking these tactics, you’ll have the right to do so only if the landlord’s failure to repair the issue results in danger to your health and safety. You can’t do this just because you want a new clothes dryer in your home. That said, if there is an issue that is putting your health and safety at risk, you can either hire a professional to make the repairs and deduct the cost from rent, report your landlord to local authorities, or withhold rent until the repair is made. Taking these tactics only work if there is a genuine risk to your health and safety. If you have questions about your rights, and your options, reach out to the Neumann Law Group, a landlord dispute lawyer in Traverse City, Michigan to learn more.