Lease Terms That Used to Be Common But Are No Longer Best Practice in Michigan

If you have owned rental property for a while, your lease may contain language that was once considered standard. The problem is that rental laws, court interpretations, and tenant expectations have evolved. What protected landlords ten years ago can now create confusion, disputes, or even legal exposure.

As a Michigan property management company, we regularly review and update lease agreements to reflect current standards. Below are several clauses that are still floating around but no longer align with best practices.

Tenant Pays First $X of Repairs

This clause requires tenants to cover the first portion of any maintenance cost. On paper, it sounds reasonable. In practice, it often creates bigger problems.

Why This Clause Backfires

• Tenants delay reporting maintenance issues

• Small problems become expensive repairs

• Documentation becomes harder if reporting is delayed

• Disputes increase over responsibility

A slow plumbing leak can turn into water damage. A furnace issue can become a winter emergency. From a risk management standpoint, early reporting protects the property.

A Better Approach

• Clearly define tenant responsibility for damage they cause

• Keep structural and system maintenance obligations with the owner

• Encourage immediate reporting of maintenance issues

Modern lease language should promote communication, not discourage it. To get professional assistance with leasing your property, reach out for a free rental analysis.