Michigan Renter: Advice needed re: Annual rent increase with no improvements

[JimBo54773]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

I'm a disabled man who recently turned 65. I live alone. I've been leasing this townhouse for 6 years, and the manager raises my rent every year. However, there have been no improvements at all since I moved in. For example, the carpet is terrible; it looks like cheap outdoor carpeting. That was tolerable back when the rent was $800 per month, but now I'm paying $1250 and many things in here beside the carpet are definitely sub-par and kinda junky.

The manager and I get along quite well, largely because I always pay my rent on time. But even so, she has a spine of steel who only barely and very rarely budges from the rent increase demands.

I doubt that I would have any legal grounds to compel her to make improvements every so often, and I don't recall seeing anything about this in the lease. So what I'm looking for any advice about how I could request reasonable improvements after 6 years with the rent constantly increasing every year. And any suggestions as to how best I could phrase the request, possibly including a letter from an attorney.

Thank you for your time and assistance!

 

[Zigner]

So what I'm looking for any advice about how I could request reasonable improvements after 6 years with the rent constantly increasing every year. And any suggestions as to how best I could phrase the request, possibly including a letter from an attorney.

There really isn't a legal question in here. If you want to ask for improvements, do so nicely.
If you include a letter from an attorney, I guarantee that your relationship with your landlord will sour.

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

I'm a disabled man who recently turned 65. I live alone. I've been leasing this townhouse for 6 years, and the manager raises my rent every year. However, there have been no improvements at all since I moved in. For example, the carpet is terrible; it looks like cheap outdoor carpeting. That was tolerable back when the rent was $800 per month, but now I'm paying $1250 and many things in here beside the carpet are definitely sub-par and kinda junky.

The manager and I get along quite well, largely because I always pay my rent on time. But even so, she has a spine of steel who only barely and very rarely budges from the rent increase demands.

I doubt that I would have any legal grounds to compel her to make improvements every so often, and I don't recall seeing anything about this in the lease. So what I'm looking for any advice about how I could request reasonable improvements after 6 years with the rent constantly increasing every year. And any suggestions as to how best I could phrase the request, possibly including a letter from an attorney.

Thank you for your time and assistance!

Next lease renewal don't renew and move to a better place.

 

[JimBo54773]

There really isn't a legal question in here. If you want to ask for improvements, do so nicely.
If you include a letter from an attorney, I guarantee that your relationship with your landlord will sour.

Yeah, you're right. That's what I'll do. Thanks!

 

[JimBo54773]

Next lease renewal don't renew and move to a better place.

I would be perfectly willing to move, were it not for my considerable disabilities. I realize I could get family or hire movers to do the heavy lifting, but even minimal pre-move or post-move organization -- almost all of which I definitely must do myself -- are beyond what my body could do.

Thanks, but I'll follow Zigner's advice.

 

[zddoodah]

I'm a disabled man

Just FYI, simply saying that you're "disabled" tells us nothing.

I doubt that I would have any legal grounds to compel her to make improvements every so often, and I don't recall seeing anything about this in the lease.

There's no doubt about it. Unless it's required by the lease, a landlord is under no obligation to make improvements to rented premises (whether to justify rent increases or otherwise).

So what I'm looking for any advice about how I could request reasonable improvements after 6 years with the rent constantly increasing every year.

YOU: "Hey Bob. I'd like to talk with you about the condition of the carpeting. It kinda looks like cheap outdoor carpeting and obviously has six more years of wear and tear than when I moved in. Given that my rent is now more than 50% higher than when I moved in, I was hoping we could discuss having the carpet replaced."

How's that? Since you know and "get along quite well" with the guy, I'm not sure why you'd need anonymous strangers on the internet to suggest how to talk with him.

possibly including a letter from an attorney.

"Zigner" is correct that there's no legal issue here, so there'd be no point in paying a lawyer to write a letter on your behalf.

 

[STEPHAN]

rent was $800 per month, but now I'm paying $1250

Average rent has increased a lot more. Check out the rental market, you might find that you are still getting a very good deal.

 

[FarmerJ]

Since your 65 have you looked into getting section 8 voucher OR applying for a apartment in a so called senior building that has rent that is sliding scale according to income ? you are free to remind the LL in your letter that the carpet was in poor or less than ideal condition when you moved in and now it is shot , BUT unless the carpet becomes a tripping hazzard from holes worn thru it then if they didnt change it its likely a city inspector would order it or condemn the whole apartment BUT if its just in poor condition they might refuse to replace it . Paint same deal unless its peeling they can refuse to re paint even though both being done could help retain you as a tenant.

 

[quincy]

Since your 65 have you looked into getting section 8 voucher OR applying for a apartment in a so called senior building that has rent that is sliding scale according to income ? you are free to remind the LL in your letter that the carpet was in poor or less than ideal condition when you moved in and now it is shot , BUT unless the carpet becomes a tripping hazzard from holes worn thru it then if they didnt change it its likely a city inspector would order it or condemn the whole apartment BUT if its just in poor condition they might refuse to replace it . Paint same deal unless its peeling they can refuse to re paint even though both being done could help retain you as a tenant.

The wait lists for both Section 8 and senior housing are long, with a median wait time of two years but, in some areas of Michigan, well over five years. There are also only specific times a person can apply for a position on a wait-list. Many if not most times for accepting applications are now closed for the year.