Landlord-Tenant's Rights and Information
- Legal Assistance. You have the right to an attorney.
- If you do not have an attorney and are not financially able to hire one, you may qualify for free
assistance through Legal Services of Eastern Michigan:
- call 989-244-8679, or
- visit 301 E. Genesee Ave., 5th Floor, Saginaw, Michigan
- If you do not have an attorney and are financially able to retain one, you may locate an attorney
through the Saginaw County Bar Association lawyer referral service:
- obtain a “Fields of Practice” pamphlet from the court’s Civil Division, or
- online at www.saginawbar.org (click on “Fields of Practice”)
- Venue. You have the right to proper venue. If the premises is not in Saginaw County, you have the
right to ask the court to transfer the case to the county or district where the premises is situated.
- Jury Trial. You have the right to a trial by jury. Tenants must demand a jury trial orally at the first
appearance or in writing within five days of being verbally advised of their rights, and the jury trial fee
must be paid at that time unless the court waives payment. Landlords must make a demand on a
court-approved form when filing the complaint, and the jury trial fee must be paid at that time or within
five days of being verbally advised of their rights.
- Rent Assistance. In cases for nonpayment of rent under a residential lease or agreement, the following agencies may be able to assist with payment of some or all of the rent due:
- Essential Community Services Hotline –
- Coordinated Entry Agency (CEA) and Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA) –
- call United Way of Saginaw County at 989-758-4375 (leave message with your name,
phone number, and housing needs)
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) –
- If you have a caseworker at MDHHS, contact him/her immediately
- If you do not have a caseworker at MDHHS, immediately –
- Help for Homeless Veterans (veterans and families facing homelessness) –
If you do apply for assistance, you must provide written proof to the court no later than five days after your first court appearance. The necessary form is available from the court upon request.
You DO NOT need a judgment to receive assistance from the MDHHS, CEA, or HARA. The summons
and complaint from the court case are sufficient for help from the state.
- Mediation Services. The Community Resolution Center may be able to assist resolving your case
through mediation: call 989-799-5949, or email crc@mediation-crc.org.
- Conditional Dismissal. If all parties agree, the court will enter a Consent Order for Conditional
Dismissal which will dismiss the case on the condition you make required payment(s). The necessary
form is available from the court upon request