Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Michigan
Business partner using tenant to serve other partner.
My partner and I have a dispute over a rental property we own. We just put a new tenant in the property in Nov. 2007 and verbally agreed that I would manage the property, since I live close by . Since that time, my partner would phone the tenant to complain about his grievances with me and send our email correspondences between us to the tenant also. I went to the unit for a scheduled inspection and the tenant gave me a stack of papers, addressed to me, that were mailed to the rental property. It was from my business partner and the tenant said ''I think you are being sued by your partner - Is everything okay with you guys?'' I kept my composure and assured him everything is fine. Obviously it wasn't. I call my partner and he said he was taking me to court and the tenant signed an affidavit swearing he served me. Since then, the tenant won't return any phone calls, regarding business only, with the property. He only speaks to my partner who lives out of state. My job managing the property has become very difficult & non-existent.
Question: Legally, can a tenant serve a landlord on behalf of another landlord? Specifically, what other rules & ethics has my partner violated?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Business partner using tenant to serve other partner.
A party to a lawsuit can have basically anyone serve the other party. It sounds like your partner has interfered with a business relationship and damaged your reputation, both of which would provide a basis for a lawsuit.
If you would like further information or assistance, please visit my website at www.lawrefs.com to contact me.
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