Important Info for Tenants

This information explains your rights as a tenant (defendant) when your landlord has filed a case to evict you. They may also be asking the court to order you to pay money.
You should also have received separate information about where you can apply for rental or other housing assistance.
Read this form carefully.

  1. Attorney
    • You have the right to hire an attorney. If you cannot pay for one, the court must give you information about any legal aid assistance there might be for your area.
  2. Place where case will be heard
    • You have the right to have your case heard in the county or district where the property, or any part of it, is located.
    • Look at item 3 on the attached summons (form DC 104). If the landlord (plaintiff) has checked the box saying that the case is not being brought where the premises is located, you can ask the court to transfer the case to the county or district where the property, or any part of it, is.
    • You can ask the court to move the case by filing a request (motion) in writing before the court date listed on the summons, or ask the court in person at the first court hearing.
  3. Jury Trial
    • You have the right to demand a jury trial.
    • If you want a jury trial, you must tell the court at your first court appearance, or make the demand in writing within 5 days of the court explaining your right to a jury trial.
    • You can use form MC 22, Jury Demand, and file it with the court.
    • You must pay a $50 fee when you make your demand or within 5 days of the court explaining your right to a jury trial. You do not have to pay the jury fee if you have asked the court to waive fees and the court has approved your request under MCR 2.002.
  4. Rental and other housing assistance
    If your landlord has asked for you to be evicted from a residential property because you haven’t paid rent, you may be able to get assistance from
    • the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
    • a local Coordinated Entry Agency
    • a Housing Assessment and Resource Agency
    • a federal Help for Homeless Veterans program
  5. Reaching an agreement outside of court
    • You may be able to reach an agreement with the landlord by going through a Michigan or local community dispute resolution program. You can find a program at https://courts.mi.gov/CORP.
  6. Conditional dismissal
    • You may be able to reach an agreement with the landlord that will mean the case gets dismissed. The court must provide you with the form for this or tell you where to find it online.

WAYNE COUNTY DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER VIRTUAL MEDIATIONS
Meeting ID: 976 212 4708

Due to the current COVID-19 limitations, the Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center will be conducting scheduled mediations using video conferencing with Zoom.

Getting prepared for your mediation:

  • If you have any documents that you would like to present to the mediator, please send to info@wcdrc.org
  • On the day you are scheduled for mediation, please log in using the link provided.
  • Please make sure to set aside about two hours for the mediation process.

Preparing for your Zoom Mediation:

  • Please download the Zoom App from your Apple or Android store.
  • Familiarize yourself with the application prior to your mediation.
  • If you run into any problems, please contact Zoom Support at support.zoom.us
  • Please make sure your devices are fully charged.
  • Please make sure you are alone and in a safe and confidential setting while mediation is in session.

JOIN ZOOM MEETING:
Meeting ID: 976 212 4708
Joining the mediation using Zoom:

  • If you are connecting from a phone or tablet, launch the Zoom App at the time of the call and join using the Meeting ID provided in this document.
  • If you are connecting from a Windows desktop PC or a laptop, go to the Zoom website (zoom.us) and click on “Join a Meeting” and type in your meeting ID.
  • If you plan to attend via phone, call one of the phone numbers below, then enter your Meeting ID

+1 646 876 9923 (New York)

+1 301 715 8592 (Washington DC)

+1312 626 6799 (Chicago)

Participating in the Zoom:

  • Please arrive 10 minutes early and you will be placed in a virtual waiting room until the mediator is ready for your case.Make sure your background is free from noise and interruptions.
  • Make sure your lighting is good for the best video conference.
  • Please note that at any time the mediator can terminate the mediation session if the experience is unacceptable.
  • If an agreement is reached, the mediator will go over the terms of the agreement and send for processing.
  • Once the agreement is processed, you will receive a final draft via DocuSign and once all inyolved parties have signed the agreement, you will receive a signed final copy.
  • The mediator will report the results back to Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center and then the court will be notified of the results.
  • Please note, If you have a scheduled court hearing, please plan to attend unless you hear otherwise from the court.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you have questions or concerns regarding mediation, please contact us at (313) 561-3500 or email info@wcdrc.org.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your court case, please contact the court.

Thank you for your time and cooperation in advance!