Help A Michigan Renter, Can My Landlord Do This To Scare Me?

I don't think I like the way you said that.

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Maybe it's just me. Maybe my landlord is well within their rights to say what they said the way they did.

It's not personal it's just business, right?

Decisions, decisions.

Let's just get down to it. And this happened last year too, seemingly right after I moved in July.

I get a notice from my landlord and the leasing office in October of this year (2021), asking me to renew my lease (that doesn't end until July of 2022) for the next year or leasing season.

So I'm being asked to sign another lease that won't expire until two summers from now (July 2023). 

No pressure. No rush. Just let us know if you need more time to decide...as soon as you can.

And if you don't decide or let us know that you're going to renew (and here come the scare tactics), we're going to begin touring your apartment.

A couple of questions:

• Don't you have model apartments to show to potential renters? You just wanna sashay through my abode and you don't know if it's clean or not? I legit might have stuff in my apartment or decorations that could cost you a tenant. You're being a little extra.
• I also don't want complete strangers in my house with my landlord and I'm not there. Sticky fingers and things magically get broken.
• When I rented this apartment, I didn't get to see it until AFTER I had signed the lease. And it wasn't my original apartment that I had wanted because the people in that apartment decided to STAY after they said they were going to leave.

So you've set a precedent and this seems hella sketchy and pushy.

I digress.

Legally, can a landlord do that?

In a word, YES.

• Michigan has no state statute that sets clear parameters as to when a landlord’s entry is (or is not) permissible.

• There are other scenarios where landlord entry is permitted with notice. These situations include entry for needed repairs or improvements or to show the property to prospective tenants or purchasers. Generally, the landlord must enter only at a reasonable time of day, after giving at least 24 hours of notice. (rpoaonline)

As much as I don't like it, they are well within their rights. They gave me notice about renewal. They have given me time to decide (a short amount but still). If I need more time, I need to let them know. If I don't let them know or renew, they have every right to show my apartment to potential new tenants.

They just have to do it at a reasonable hour and hopefully give me at least 24 hours of notice.

Head HERE for a Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords provided by the Michigan Legislature.