State: MI
I had a roommate that gave 30 days notice (though verbally and not in writing as lease states) on December 17. I prorated his rent for January and he had utilities in arrearage as well as current utilities. By January 17 I had still not received rent. He changed his cell phone number and gave no forwarding address. My only way to contact him was through MySpace (obviously not legally permissible). He told me several times he would be by to pay monies owed, drop off keys, and get the remainder of his personal belongings. He has done none of the above. The personal belongings include a bed and a few bags worth of smaller items that I rounded up. He called demanding I let him come by to pick up the items (without paying me rent) about a week ago (he must have come by and realized I had changed the lock). I told him I wouldnt' be there (was heading out to church and dinner) and that I would be more comfortable with him coming by when he has the money so that all parties can get what they need. He threatended to "call the cops" but I have yet to see them. I guess I have a couple of questions:
1) If he demands his belongings and hasn't paid me do I have to turn them over to him and basically consider all money owed to me a loss? (Keep in mind I don't have a forwarding address, he changed his phone number, and he blocked caller ID when calling me).
2) Can I require at the very least a real address so that I could deal through small claims court if I wanted to (which I really DO NOT want to deal with)?
3) What are Michigan laws in general relating to personal property and can I legally word my future leases to state that items for example left behind after 15 days are abandoned, after 30 can be discarded or sold to recover costs, and that I can charge storage fees and require that along with any rent and damages to be paid before turning over personal property to the tenant?
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Thanks!
Marianne

