Donovan McCarty
Coverage of Donovan McCarty in the Nexus archive.
- Detroit tenants group sues 36th District Court over eviction process
A Detroit tenants group is suing the 36th District Court, alleging it allows landlords to collect rent or evict tenants without required city safety certifications. The lawsuit claims judges fail to enforce Detroit city code requiring landlords to show compliance certificates before evictions, affecting 86% of rental properties lacking such certification.
- Deed fraud can cause Detroiters to lose their homes – here’s why it’s hard to catch the thieves
Kim Page, a Detroit homeowner, fell victim to deed fraud after investing $27,000 in repairs to a property she purchased in 2021. Scammers forged her name on the deed, changed locks, and took control of her home, highlighting a growing national issue of property title theft. The Wayne County Register of Deeds confirmed the fraud, which allows criminals to sell or drain equity from stolen properties.
- Tenants’ lawyers say Detroit court is handling evictions wrong
The Detroit Tenants Union and their attorneys are challenging Detroit’s 36th District Court for not enforcing the city’s rental ordinance, which requires landlords to have a certificate of compliance (CoC) before collecting rent. Only 14% of Detroit rental properties have a CoC, and advocates argue this undermines public health and safety. The group seeks court action to ensure landlords meet habitability standards before eviction judgments.
- Can tenants withhold rent if a landlord won’t make repairs?
Tenants in Michigan may withhold rent if landlords fail to make necessary repairs, but the process requires careful adherence to legal procedures. Michigan law mandates landlords maintain properties in 'reasonable repair,' though specific guidelines are not defined, leaving interpretations to courts. Tenants can deposit withheld rent into an escrow account or deduct repair costs from rent, provided they notify landlords and follow local ordinances.