All Forum Posts by: Devin M.

I'll have to do that. I'll probably have to contact a local lawyer to be safe. I wonder how hotels and such deal with the issue so quickly. 

*skip to the last paragraph for the question, but reading the whole thing will give context*

We bought the duplex last year, and it already had tenants. We live in Michigan, and couldn't get rid of the tenants. We moved into one side of the duplex shortly after we bought it.

In October, right before the tenants moved out, we noticed we had bed bugs. We had an inspector check both sides, and based on the severity of the tenant side compared to our side, it was determined that the tenant side was the cause of the infestation.

Meaning, the tenants were most likely the source.

Three times we have sprayed (ourselves) a chemical called CrossFire. It's insanely highly rated, and professionals use it. It's helped tons. We thought we were rid of them, and haven't seen any signs since. BUT, I was prepping the tenant side for paint the other day and noticed one on a heater vent. 

I called a professional company, and they said that the reason we have seen such great results on our side, is because it's inhabited and likely did a lot of damage to the bugs because they've had to cross over the chemical. But, on the tenant side - because it's vacant - the bed bugs have probably gone dormant, and likely haven't come into contact with the chemical. So they are going to do a heat treatment to kill even the dormant bugs hiding in the walls and such.

* My question is: If we have a professional come out, and treat for bed bugs, would we then be free to rent out to tenants after waiting the two-week period recommended by the extermination company? Can you make a clause that allows you to spray in prevention of these little pests? Any help would be appreciated. Absolute nightmare. Thanks everyone!

Would the cops likely go inside my side of the duplex to smell the smell in question? And this interaction with him would be enough in court?

My neighboring tenants smoke so much weed that the smell fills my half of the duplex. I was going to give them the notice to cease as a warning, with the promise that if smelt again, we'll move forward with the eviction process.

Since I have to prove it, after I give them a notice to cease, should I call the cops to verify that my claims are valid so there's some legal "validity" to my claims in court if the eviction process goes further than the notice to cease?

Sorry for posting this in the off topic forum section as well. Couldn't figure out how to "move" the post and duplicated it here. Thanks guys!

My neighboring tenants smoke so much weed that the smell fills my half of the duplex. I was going to give them the notice to cease as a warning, with the promise that if smelt again, we'll move forward with the eviction process. 

Since I have to prove it, after I give them a notice to cease, should I call the cops to verify that my claims are valid so there's some legal "validity" to my claims in court if the eviction process goes further than the notice to cease? 

My wife and I just bought our first duplex. The previous owner had a tenant in it already, and due to how their management company worded the lease, the selling of the property didn't terminate the lease and we now have to honor it. Definitely not ideal to buy with tenants, I know, but due to the cash flow that the property will give us when it's fully rented, and it's location, we couldn't pass up on it. 

We're raising a family, and I definitely don't want a tenant that smokes, let alone that smoke next to my family to such a degree it can be smelled all throughout our half of the duplex. Even more so if it's Marijuana. I have three questions, and any advice or input would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

(1): There is a clause in our lease that says that if the tenant is in possession of a "controlled substance", they can be given a 1 day notice to quit. According to Michigan law, Marijuana (medical or otherwise), is considered a "schedule 2" controlled substance. Michigan law also says that we can't keep tenants from possessing 2.5 ounces of marijuana and under. 

So, my question is: would them signing a lease, agreeing that, if they possess a controlled substance they can be given a 1 day notice to quit trump the state law because of them signing in agreement?

(2): There is a clause in their lease as follows: 

"Rules & Regulations. Any rules and regulations published by Landlord become part of this Agreement. Tenant agrees to abide by all rules and regulations that may be published by Landlord."

Does this mean that we are free to draft up and add an addendum to their lease regarding a ban on smoking if we so desire? Would they, because of this clause be forced to obey it?