[mlwarren]

Can a landlord charge for labor done himself in the state of MI? I know that in Va they can not. Just wondering what the law is in MI.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by mlwarren

Can a landlord charge for labor done himself in the state of MI? I know that in Va they can not. Just wondering what the law is in MI.

Charge???

Do you mean write it off on taxes???

[edub]

It all depends on the context. They can not hold you responsible for a repair, fix it their self and charge you. But, if your lease states that the landlord may cut your lawn and charge you if you neglect to do it that is another matter.

But I think you are asking about a tort issue involving some damage to the property. In that case, no he can not charge labor. But, if he also owns a construction business and he charges you through the business that might be different.

[1coolcustomer]

It's a good question and OP, What are you referring to? Do you mean while your occupying the place or after lease end? My landlord when I vacated charged me 24 hours @ $16 an hour per person (2 people) to paint and hang a few mini-blinds. The painting wasn't stipulated in the lease. He shafted me out of my security deposit.

He would hire his son-in-law and daughter to do the work, which opens up another can of worms like is he giving them a 1099 at the end of the year and do they have a license to paint?.

Now along the lines of what edub said, some landlords have multiple properties and incorporate and one would think it's all right for them to do minor repairs on their own places.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by 1coolcustomer

It's a good question and OP, What are you referring to? Do you mean while your occupying the place or after lease end? My landlord when I vacated charged me 24 hours @ $16 an hour per person (2 people) to paint and hang a few mini-blinds. The painting wasn't stipulated in the lease. He shafted me out of my security deposit.

He would hire his son-in-law and daughter to do the work, which opens up another can of worms like is he giving them a 1099 at the end of the year and do they have a license to paint?.

Now along the lines of what edub said, some landlords have multiple properties and incorporate and one would think it's all right for them to do minor repairs on their own places.

In Michigan they would not need a license to paint.

Unless he paid over $600 each, no 1099 was needed.

[kcam213]

interesting thread.

I am landlord and had to make repairs to rental to pass inspection. The repairs were due to misuse... busted out screens,
broken locks that renter admitted was due to toddler playing with lock and not being watched closely,
dropping the floor heat register requiring extraction and replacement
Kitchen faucet
Bathroom door
bedroom door
deck railing


I had a handyman give me a quote and it was nearly $500. DH and I decided that was too much and did the repairs ourselves. I kept receipts for the parts.. but I planned to charge a $25 fee to each of the 2 visits for labor and costs in addition to the cost of the materials used.

It is in my lease that any repairs under $50 should be done by renter and if landlord is required to do repairs, a $25 charge for labor and cost would be included. This would cover minor damage due to misuse but not include major repairs to hvac, roof etc which would be covered by us and/or our insurance company. Lease signed by renter.

Would I have trouble with this? I plan to charge $150. Maybe I should have had repairs done by handyman for $495 if I can't collect on the time and effort (and entire weekend) spent on repairs