Lessee Removal Of Equipment

Question: A property in St. Joseph, Michigan, needs to be sold which has a car wash on it. The carwash business is rented out. The renter put in new equipment a few years ago on his own. Upon the sale of the property, does he have the right to remove his equipment?

Answer: Unless the lease prohibits the removal of the equipment, the Lessee has a reasonable time after termination of a lease to remove equipment. This line of case law in Michigan goes back to the 1800s. Hope all works out well.

Attorney: Mark Miller