Landlords

Samples of Tenant’s Letters to LandlordNotice of Tenant’s Intent to Repair and DeductTO: ___________________________________________________________________________FROM: ___________________________________________________________________________I requested that repairs be made to my rental property in a letter dated __________. It has been _____ days since Iwrote the letter, and the needed repairs have not yet been made.I have contacted three service providers to make the repairs. Enclosed are copies of three estimates for the repairslisted in my previous letter. If I do not hear from you within _____ day(s), I will be hiring the lowest bidder to performthe repairs.■ I will pay the company myself from rent previously withheld and escrowed.OR■ I will pay the company myself and deduct the amount from my next rent payment.Copies of the receipts for the repairs, once they are made, will be forwarded to you.Please take note of the relevant Michigan case law:Where the landlord has covenanted to make repairs and fails to do so, the tenant, after giving reasonablenotice to the landlord, may make the repairs and recover the cost of such repairs from the landlord or he [orshe] may deduct the cost from the rent. . . . Unless the landlord’s duty to repair is expressly made conditionalupon receipt of notice from the tenant, such duty may arise from the landlord’s actual knowledge of the needfor repair. . . . The landlord’s duty to maintain in good repair . . . extends to reimbursing the tenant for moniesexpended . . .. Anchor Inn v Knopman, 71 Mich App 64, 67 (1976).Sincerely,__________________________________________________TenantDateNotice of Tenant’s Implementation to Repair and DeductTO: ___________________________________________________________________________FROM: ___________________________________________________________________________As stated in my previous letter, dated __________, I have taken action to perform necessary repairs that you havefailed to correct. I had the repairs made and paid for them myself, as I said I would do.You are required by Michigan law to keep the premises and all common areas fit for the use intended, and to keep thepremises in reasonable repair during the term of the lease, and to comply with the applicable health and safety laws ofthe state and local governments.I spoke to you about the problems and the need for repair. I wrote you letter(s) dated __________ about the need forcorrective action. You failed to act within a reasonable amount of time. Therefore, I found it necessary to take actionmyself.Enclosed are the receipts for all expenditures I have made:■ I paid for the repair from previously withheld and escrowed rent.OR■ I will deduct the amount from my next rent payment.Sincerely,__________________________________________________TenantDate44