Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Michigan

landlord-tenant relations

My fiancee is getting transferred for work. He just signed a lease on the apartment on 08.01 and got notice of the transfer on 08.15 and he has to be in florida on 08.29. We paid a 1200 sec deposit and 780 for the month of august. I understand we have to give 30days notice but since he did not have that kind of notice himself is it possible to not have to pay for September since he is going to be out of there before then. I was told that there may be a way to just have them keep the sec. deposit and have it be a clean break but the property manager stated the because of the Fair Housing Act they could not do that. Which did not make sense since the Fair Housing act has to do with discriminating against someone and I do not see how that applies here. Please advise as what his options are. The prop manager said the only thing he could do was work out a payment plan to pay off september and the rest of the termination fee. (they will be using the sec deposit to cover that). THANKS!!


Asked on 8/21/08, 2:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Sevick Law Office of Christopher Sevick, PLC

Re: landlord-tenant relations

The terms of a lease termination will be controlled by the lease language in almost all cases. There may or may not be an option for termination according to the lease. Look carefully at the lease itself for options and requirements. I assume the comment about Fair Housing was in reference to the fact that they must treat your lease termination in the same manner as that of other people and follow their terms and conditions. If the two of you are both on the lease it is likely that the lease may still be in full effect against you and if he does not pay you will be responsible for the full payments.

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Answered on 8/21/08, 2:50 pm


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