No certificate of occupancy tenants trying not to get judgement

[Cynthia Miller]

Having a hell of a time with the Detroit rentals.  I've been trying to evict a tenant for 5 months! I've never seen a city offer free legal aid attorneys at the court house and allow tenants to delay proceedings if they do not have a FREE lawyer!

Now the tenants have delayed the hearing again for 10 days because their legal aid lawyer is out of town! I've never seen anything like this! Other places you have to pay an attorney to try to stall a hearing, that discourages people and you don't get delays if you don't have one by the court date.  Are there any other states or cities that do this? Just have legal aid free and waiting at the court house like a public defender and not allow the case to go forward if tenant request one?

The tenants have recently called the city to complain that the house doesn't have a certificate of occupancy. I wasn't aware rentals in Detroit needed an inspection unless purchased from land bank? I've asked several people who said you don't but the city who issued a citation thanks to the tenants, say you need an inspection before renting?

I've done a little digging and it looks like the tenants who  know their time is coming are trying to get out of a judgement by stating that the house doesn't have a certificate of occupancy.

Anyone know how to get around this or to defend against it? So far the tenants owe $4,000 and i paid extra for the judgement filing. They've changed the locks and the boyfriend has been aggressive and I can't even get into the house to do the inspection at this point.

These tenants are really professionals they know all the tricks to get free rent, delays and avoid a judgement at the end. 

I've about head it with Detroit. They reward the deadbeats.