Short answer: When a tenant's rent check bounces, tell the tenant right away in writing that rent is unpaid, ask for replacement payment in certified funds or a money order, and apply any returned-check or late fee your lease allows. If the rent still isn't paid, a Michigan landlord can serve a written 7-day notice for nonpayment of rent (MCL 554.134) before filing in court.

One of the most stressful parts of being a landlord is collecting rent from your tenants each month. There's often one check that doesn't clear. 

It might be from the same tenant who regularly bounces checks. Or it might be a rare problem from a tenant who always pays rent on time. 

Returned checks mean you don't get paid. You also have the hassle of going back to your tenant and getting a check that won't bounce. 

There are numerous benefits to hiring a property management firm, such as the peace of mind that comes with knowing a professional will handle any situation that might arise.  But did you know that there are benefits  to hiring a property management company that you can realize on your tax returns? Read on for more information about the savings you might see when you bring a property management company on board. 

Here's something no one has ever done until he or she became a landlord:   Determining the proper amount to charge in rent for a property.  You certainly know what your monthly cost is and you've probably had an appraisal done recently.  Unfortunately, these valuable steps are just the beginning.  There are many factors to determine when establishing the rental rate for a property.  If you are going alone (without the assistance of a property management firm), the whole process can be pretty bewildering.