Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Michigan

2 names on title, only one signed my lease

I live in a house with 2 names on the title, we'll call them Bob and Jane. Bob has acted at the landlord, making repairs, collecting rent, paying all the bills, etc. Jane owes Bill a significant amount of money, between $1,000 and $1,500 and has moved out and has stopped paying any part of the mortgage or anything else relating to the house.

Bob and I have a signed lease agreement which we both are happy with and feel I have not violated in any way. Jane sent me a ''Notice to Quit'' in an attempt to evict me. She refuses to pay Bob anything until I move out, though my lease does not expire until Sept 30 (today is May 10). My understanding is that she believes that since she did not sign my lease also that it is not valid.

Is my lease with Bob legal and good? As of right now I plan to contest the eviction process. If I win in court against her and she continues to fight Bob intends to start a Partition Suit with her for the house.

As a side note, Jane hasn't got the credit or the income to buy the house. Bob has the paperwork done and ready for her to sign to make the house no longer hers so that she can leave and be free of this. (remortgaged)


Asked on 5/10/07, 11:37 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Regina Mullen Legal Data Services, PLC

Re: 2 names on title, only one signed my lease

For one, Jane's business with Bill has nothing to do with your lease. My response is heavily qualified, because you seem to have a role in their personal affairs above and beyond the normal tenant, which implies there's a lot more going on than this.

Be that as it may, if you are a legal tenant, and there is no cause for eviction, you might have a counterclaim against "Jane," and you might even have the right to force Bill to indemnify your legal costs and protect your right to live there.

You ought to consult a lawyer with the full facts and a copy of the lease.

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Answered on 5/10/07, 1:12 pm


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