landlord 101
I own a rental in Ohio. I used to be partners on a 12 unit 3 floor apartment building. My partner used to say I was to strict with the application process. He bought me out and we went our different ways. I saw Eric a year or so after the buy out. He was telling me that a tenant we had on the third floor lost his job, stopped paying rent. Eric started the eviction process and the day of the set out, the tenant poured 3 bags of quikrete down the toilet, kitchen sink and bathroom sink. Eric said he had to evict everyone, because the drains were clogged. Said it cost north of $20K to repair on top of lost income and fees to move people out. I still have a small two bedroom house that rent out. I own it outright. I have a renter in it now, after I had to almost completely remodel it. New floors, re-did the bathroom entirely, had to replace cabinets about $30K in work total.
I had to do that because the lady that was in there before turned into a dirt bag during COVID. When the no eviction moratorium came down, she decided that meant she didn't have to pay rent. When that was lifted, I couldn't get to the court house to evict her *** fast enough.
I'm part of a forum for landlords. What I've learned is, there are states that you don't want to be a landlord in certain states. Michigan and Illinois are definitely two of those states.
Before you you decide to become a landlord, I would look into the eviction process as well as the leasing process. You should have a good long talk with an attorney before you do this. You need to ask yourself how long you can go without income when you find yourself in an eviction situation. I say when, because it's going to happen.
I'm fortunate, Ohio is a landlord friendly state, but you live in the land of socialist governors and judges.
I'm not going to tell you not to do it, but there is no way in hell I'd be a landlord in Michigan.