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Michigan Legal Aid

Client Resource Library


The links in the shaded box below indicate where you are in the list of topics. Below that you will see the sub-topics and the resources relevant to this topic. Click here for more help using this library

Client Resource Library /  Housing

A Guide to Garnishment of Periodic Payments  [Dynamic Doc]
Information and forms for responding to a court order to garnish funds from a defendant.

A Tenant's Right to Repairs  [Dynamic Doc]
Having trouble getting your landlord to fix something? Look here for tips on how to get the repairs that you are entitled to under state law.

Be Summer Wise!  [URL]
This page provides information on ways to manage your summer energy bills.

Condominiums  [Dynamic Doc]
Condominium basics, including what to consider before purchase and where to go for more information.

Disaster Assistance and Recovery Information  [Dynamic Doc]
What individuals should do to protect their health, property and rights following disaster related losses.

Disaster Relief Resources  [Dynamic Doc]
Information and assistance for people affected by hurricane activity.

Discrimination in Rental Housing  [Dynamic Doc]
Find information on the basics of rental housing discrimination through this resource.

Documents You Should Keep  [Dynamic Doc]
A guide to documents which are crucial to claiming benefits or protecting your rights.

Eviction  [Dynamic Doc]
The most important topics regarding eviction of tenants from rental housing.

Eviction, Illegal Eviction and Utility Access  [Dynamic Doc]
Rights of tenants and landlords; court ordered vs. improper self help evictions and tenants' entitlement to utilities.

Evictions for Termination of Tenancy  [Dynamic Doc]
Brief overview of the eviction process for Michigan renters whose tenancy is being terminated

Fair Housing Act  [URL]
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination by direct providers of housing, such as landlords and real estate companies as well as other entities, such as municipalities, banks or other lending institutions and homeowners insurance companies whose discriminatory practices make housing unavailable to persons because of: * race or color * religion * sex * national origin * familial status, or * disability

Flood Insurance Claim Checklist  [Dynamic Doc]
Checklist with detailed instructions for filing a flood insurance claim.

Frequently Asked Questions about SMALL CLAIMS COURT  [Dynamic Doc]
Answers some common legal questions regarding defense of a case in Small Claims Court.

Getting a Name OFF A Deed  [Dynamic Doc]
Getting a loved one's name off a deed following their passing can be simple and inexpensive.

Guarde sus Documentos Importantes  [Dynamic Doc]
documentos es muy importante para poder solicitar beneficios o proteger sus derechos.

Help After a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals & Households Program  [Dynamic Doc]
The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides money and services to people in a disaster area when losses are not covered by insurance and property. This program guide provides information and forms that will help you to apply for aid. Please be patient as this is a large document that may open slowly from your Web browser.

Home Heating Credit FORM 1040CR-7  [PDF Doc] 355 Kb
1040CR-7 form used to file your home heating credit. DUE SEPTEMBER 30, 2007.

Home Heating Credit Instruction Booklet  [PDF Doc] 85 Kb
This booklet contains instructions on how to file and calculate your home heating credit, which helps low income families pay home heating costs.

Housing Crisis Services  [URL]
Information about emergency housing, food, and related services covering Washtenaw County

Housing Overview for Farmworkers  [Dynamic Doc]
A brief overview of housing rights and responsibilities written for Michigan farmworkers but applying to all.

Instructions for Filing Mobile Home Park Complaints with State Government  [Dynamic Doc]
Instructions for filing a complaint about mobile home park services, conduct, policies, etc. with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

Insurance Claims links for Louisiana  [Dynamic Doc]
Links to information and online claims processing for people from Louisiana affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Insurance contact information from Louisiana Department of Insurance  [PDF Doc] 24 Kb
Hurricane Katrina storm victims from Louisiana are urged to call their local agent or insurance company to file their insurance claims ASAP. Numbers for many of the companies are listed in this document.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: INTERFERENCE WITH TENANCY & ILLEGAL EVICTION  [PDF Doc] 146 Kb
Your landlord cannot force you to move out without a court order - and more important points about the rights of tenants.

Labor Camp Housing Rules  [Dynamic Doc]
This brochure explains that workers are entitled to a safe, clean labor camp and describes the required conditions and amenities.

Looking for the Best Mortgage?  [URL]
Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage—whether it's a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan—is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You'll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage.

Manufactured Housing Statement of Complaint Form  [PDF Doc] 106 Kb
Electronic form for filing a complaint about mobile home park services, conduct, policies, etc. with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

MI Evacuee Assistance Information  [Dynamic Doc]
General discussion of Michigan's services for people evacuated from areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and how to utilize them.

Michigan Evacuee Assistance Overview  [Dynamic Doc]
This document provides information on who to contact in order to receive long-term benefits resulting from hurricane displacement.

Michigan Mobile Home Park Administrative Rules  [URL]
Administrative rules for Manufactured Housing from the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services.

Mobile Home Buyers and Residents Handbook  [URL]
Comprehensive guide to mobile home rights, rules, standards, buying, selling, renting, setup, installation and tenant rights.

Mobile Home Buyers and Residents Handbook  [Dynamic Doc]
Comprehensive guide to mobile home rights, rules, standards, buying, selling, renting, setup, installation and tenant rights.

Mobile Home Park Tenants Rights  [Dynamic Doc]
Discussion of landlord tenant rights in a manufactured home community supplemented by useful links to community and government resources.

Organizing a Tenants Union  [Dynamic Doc]
There really is power in numbers! Organized tenants can address building-wide or complex-wide problems more effectively than individual tenants.

Prisoner Reentry Resources  [URL]
Information on civil legal issues and services of interest to people who have recently been released from custody.

Recovering from Disasters: Your Legal Rights  [Dynamic Doc]
Questions and answers about disaster relief rights in various legal areas.

Reglas de las Viviendas en los Campos de Trabajo  [Dynamic Doc]
This brochure explains that workers are entitled to a safe, clean labor camp and describes the required conditions and amenities.

Reglas de las Viviendas en los Campos de Trabajo  [PDF Doc] 12 Kb
This brochure explains that workers are entitled to a safe, clean labor camp and describes the required conditions and amenities.

Settling Insurance Claims After a Disaster  [PDF Doc] 144 Kb
Insurance industry booklet covering what you need to know about how to file a claim, how the claim process works, what’s covered and what’s not.

Small Claims Court Self Help Site  [URL]
This web site will walk you through the steps necessary to file a claim in Small Claims Court. You can also print out any of the forms you need to start a small claims case.

Surviving Eviction  [Dynamic Doc]
Explanation of basic rights and important precautions for tenants facing eviction.

Tenants & Landlords - A Practical Guide  [Dynamic Doc]
General guide to landlord tenant law in Michigan with sample forms and letters. 2003 Update.

Tenants of Manufactured Home Communities: Frequently Asked Questions  [Dynamic Doc]
addresses common issues on leases, costs and evictions in mobile home parks.

The 9-8-05 Department of Human Resources Memorandum on emergency relief processes  [PDF Doc] 44 Kb
Update Memo from Michigan Department of Human Services on emergency procedures for delivering various forms of relief such as SER, FIP, Medicaid, AMP, Foodstamps and housing assistance.

Viviendas y Contratos de Terreno  [Dynamic Doc]
Brief overview of housing rights and responsibilities written in Spanish for Michigan farmworkers.

Viviendas y Contratos de Terreno  [PDF Doc] 11 Kb
Brief overview of housing rights and responsibilities written in Spanish for Michigan farmworkers.

What Should I Do To Keep My Benefits Safe?  [Dynamic Doc]
Tips for recipents of benefits that might - or might not - be subject to collection from creditors or agencies.

Writing to Your Landlord  [Dynamic Doc]
Sample letters to help resolve housing problems and disputes

Your security deposit is your money until the landlord proves otherwise  [Dynamic Doc]
Timetable and notes for moving out and getting your deposit back.