Laws Regarding the Monetary Responsibility of Joint Tenants in Michigan
The Michigan Truth in Renting Act covers the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in the state. The act outlines the monetary responsibilities of joint tenants, lease disclosure requirements and different types of tenancy. When it comes to a lease agreement, tenants who decide to sign a joint lease are taking responsibility not only for their own actions but for the actions of their roommates as well.
Other People Are Reading
-
Joint Liability
-
Joint and several liability refers to the circumstance when more than one person signs a lease for tenancy. According to Michigan law, all individuals who sign a lease in joint tenancy are liable to make lease payments and meet all of the terms and conditions of the lease. An individual who signs a lease in joint tenancy is responsible for his own obligations in addition to the obligations of all tenants who sign that lease.
Nonpayment of Rent
-
A landlord can evict all joint tenants who reside in a dwelling if one of the tenants defaults on his rent payment or violates the terms and conditions of the lease agreement. Eviction can occur even if the other tenants continue to pay rent or have not violated the lease. Individuals with joint tenancy are responsible for their rent portion, in addition to the rent portion paid by all those who have signed the joint tenancy agreement or lease. A landlord is entitled to the full rent amount, regardless of how the joint tenants divide up the lease payment.
-
Legal Actions
-
A landlord can seek a judgment in a court of law against any or all of the tenants who have signed a joint tenancy agreement. Tenants may face a judgment due to unpaid rent, damages to the dwelling unit or violations of the lease agreement.
Lease Requirements
-
The Michigan Truth in Renting Act requires the inclusion of certain provisions as part of a lease agreement between a landlord and tenant. These provisions include the name and signature of the landlord and tenant, the amount and frequency of rental payments, rental property address, tenancy start and end dates, and security deposit amount.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
