Rental Housing Clinic Information for Students
Welcome to the Rental Housing Clinic (PDF)
The Rental Housing Clinic I course covers the basics of landlord-tenant law, including creation of tenancy, the rights and duties of the parties, leases, violations of leases, termination of leases, and eviction. The course also covers the litigation process as it relates to landlord-tenant law. Students will be assigned actual clients with rental-housing problems and will, with supervision, act as legal counsel for these clients. Representation may include dispute resolution, mediation, or litigation depending on the particulars of each individual case. Like an externship–students are required to work on site at the Clinic offices 12 hours each week. Unlike an externship–student’s performance will be letter graded.
The Rental Housing Clinic II course will provide an opportunity to continue the live-client representation. The course will allow for more sophisticated lawyering. It will also allow for mentoring of students in Rental Housing Clinic I. Enrollment in this course is by invitation only.
Required Course Materials Will Be Provided on TWEN and in a bound reference manual; the cost to you is $25.
- Michigan Rules of Court, State, 2007 , West Group. (Several copies of this book will be available at the clinic offices.) We will using the following sections:
- Michigan Court Rules of 1985, as amended
- Michigan Citation Form
- Michigan Rules of Evidence
- Michigan Code of Professional Responsibility
- Reno, “Residential Landlord-Tenant Matters ,” Michigan Basic Practice Handbook, Chapter 5 (ICLE, Ann Arbor, 1996) with current updates. (Copies of this chapter will be distributed during the first class period.)
- Rental Housing Clinic Reference Manual. (This spiral-bound reference book will be provided to you on loan and must be returned at the end of the semester.) It includes the following:
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Rental Housing Clinic Office Hours. You are required to maintain office hours at the Clinic, 12 hours each week. For at least 6 of the 12 hours, pick a time slot to be available for clients during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 12N – 5 p.m.). Learn office procedures (intake, retainer agreement, case-file management) and equipment (phones, fax, copy machine, postage meter, shredder, computer, printer, scanner). As your casework will require, you are expected to perform further research of both law and procedure in this area of practice. Like the externship program, we estimate that you will spend roughly 12 hours each week on clinic business, including your office hours.
Student-Practice Court Rule. The Rental Housing Clinic is a legal-aid clinic organized under Michigan State University College of Law (an ABA-accredited law school). Students who are currently enrolled in law school, who have successfully completed their first-year courses, who meet the academic and moral standards established by the Dean, and who are supervised by members in good standing of the Michigan State Bar are able to provide legal representation to indigent persons and make court appearances as permitted by the court rules. MCR 8.120.
Supervision. You are required to meet with an attorney supervisor each week to report progress or problems on your casework. Be sure to have your case files with you when you meet with your supervisor.
Office Dress Code. To establish a professional relationship with your clients, you must act professional and look professional. This is especially true when meeting with other students who have come to you for legal advice. When maintaining office hours, meeting with clients, and making community-education presentations, you are required to wear appropriate business clothing. (When visiting the Clinic office during regular business hours, for whatever reason, we ask that you not wear blue jeans, sweat pants, or shorts.) When making court appearances, you are required to wear a business suit.