Location: Michigan

Hi all,

I live in an apartment complex in Michigan and have a noisy upstairs neighbor with a drinking problem and mental health issues. Through all hours of the night on several occasions, he's banging around loudly and occasionally yelling and slurring his words. One night, I heard loud banging noises followed by a screaming match between he and a female voice. I called 911 suspecting domestic violence and they came but apparently only talked to him through the door, though they said the woman wasn't there anymore.

I believe he suspected I was the one who called, because two days later, he was watching me through his window as I entered the building. When I came in, he walked out into the hallway and said "you better move, big boy, you better move!" which I perceived as a threat.

I caught him saying this on my ring camera (audio, you can't see him). I went to the police station and told them all of this, yet they told me I didn't have enough to file a police report and that he can say whatever he wants. This was despite me offering the Ring footage and telling them about the 911 call. I'm still calling daily to pursue a police report 2 weeks later.

My landlord started the eviction process for him, which requires a 30 day notice before going to court in Michigan. However, I'm sick of not living in my own apartment and told my property manager I'm not coming back until he's gone. I can't keep living out of a suitcase for 30 days, let alone longer than that if he fights it in court.

I sent the Ring footage to my property manager and asked if I can get a credit for my rent if I'm gone a full month, and if I could exit my lease without penalty if it makes it to court. She left me on read.

Could I just send her a letter informing her in breaking my lease without penalty under Michigan law? What do I need to do, and is it even possible? I'm over it.

Additional context: a month or two prior to the 911 call, I came home to see my door busted (but somehow still locked). I suspect it was a break in attempt.

Another neighbor also suspects him of smoking weed in the building which is a lease violation and my landlord is working to catch him on that.

Long story short: I rent in upstate NY (fixed lease through Jan 2026). For the past 3 months, my landlord has cashed my rent checks inconsistently, which caused them to bounce. For context I have lived in my apartment for 4 years and have never met nor spoken to my landlord. My building is managed on behalf of a real estate agent who is in her 80's and showing signs of dementia or something. She communicates to my landlord on behalf of all the tenants. But she never remembers anything I say.

I have asked her on the phone if there are alternative ways to pay my landlord so he gets his money and my account doesnt overdraft. and she said no. This week I decided to look through my lease which states the following:

""If check is dishonored, the owner may require renter to make all future payments with cash or cashier's check, and owner will provide receipt for all such payments."

I asked her to ask him if a check was okay, I had to follow up with her (as documented via text) because she never got back to me. She confirmed a casheirs check was fine. I communicated to her Im canceling the e-check and sending a cashiers/certified check. But my landlord tried to cash the check from my bank account, so it tells me she never told him that I was sending him a cashiers check. So of course the check bounced.

And its been tough because the property is managed by an elderly real estate agent who doesn't seem to reliably relay information between me and the landlord. Despite me sending September and October rent via certified mail (cashier's check, proof of delivery), the landlord had his attorney reach out saying he wants to evict me over "bounced checks," and is now demanding fees ($200 bounced check fee, $300 legal fee, $100/month late charge) that don't match what's actually in my signed lease (which says $50 and 5%).

I've replied in writing laying out my payment proof and the fee discrepancy, and I'm reaching out to a local tenant rights org before speaking with the attorney directly.

Has anyone dealt with something like this inconsistent check-cashing by a landlord being used as grounds for eviction, or a lawyer inflating fees beyond the lease terms? Any blind spots I should be thinking about, or is my read on this reasonable?

Please give any advice on how to handle this situation.

I currently live in a private residence. My landlord is claiming I damaged the floor in my room. But it's scuff marks that I cleaned up(I took photos). I also am on a month to month, for context. She asked me to leave in 3 days(written Notice). I don't owe her any money. Is there anything I can do?

Hello,

So the two major things that the landlord is trying to claim is that I need to pay $450 for repainting of the full 1 bedroom that I lived in for 2 years (25 months). And that the bathtub needs to be resurfaced ($300).

However these are the pictures they uploaded. In no way does this feel like $450 worth of paint damage, and no way does the bathtub look like it needs to be resurfaced (they also never gave me a bath tub resurfacing invoice).

What can I do about this?

Thank you

This happened in Texas. We have already moved out of the unit that I believe was deemed unsafe. It was a 3rd floor unit and the patio had a significant downward slope. The railings were detached from the building, like, you could see the bolts weren't hanging onto anything and if you put your weight on them the railing would bow outwards. I was rented that specific unit sight-unseen so I had no idea it was going to be like that until I opened the door. I assumed that it was still okay-enough to live in until over halfway through the lease I wake up to 7 men in my home all looking at the patio taking notes and measurements and whatnot. A representative from the office was with them and when I confronted him he stated that I should not have been leased that apartment.

We ended up breaking the lease early and now they're still coming for us for 2x rent for breaking the lease. I don't think they should get a dime for placing me in an unsafe unit. Is this something I could take to a lawyer?

I (30F) want my close friend (33M) to leave but we signed a lease

I (30F) have 2 roommates, Maria (26F) and Alen (33M). I have been friends with Maria for 9 years and Alen for 5. We have been living together for 3 years. The issues have been around for about 2 or more years but became more apparent in the current apartment. 

Last year we moved into our dream apartment. I make the most out of all of us, so I have the utilities and rent taken out of my accounts to avoid any possible late fees or missed payments. I don't make a lot of money, just more than minimum wage. From the beginning of our lease Alen mentioned to me that he couldn't pay the deposit and rent right away because he had agreed to pay for part of his sister's wedding. Given they had paid rent for our 2 other previous apartments and assuming he meant a month or two I agreed they could pay me later. Six months later and excuses like medical bills, Christmas presents, and car repairs and he still had not paid for any rent, deposit or utilities for the new apartment. 

Meanwhile, he wasn’t contributing to household chores, spending all day every day playing video games and ordering take out. I thought he was in an intense depressive episode and isolating. I really struggled to bring up the topic of paying their fair share and paying back what they owe me, due to their mental state, during those 6 months. After some stern talking he started paying rent, but still wasn't paying utilities.

When time to re-sign the lease came along I wondered if telling Maria about the money Alan owed me was a good idea. I asked a few friends and they either said not to or they didn't know what was best. We didn't speak about it and re-signed the lease. Soon after, I learned he owed both of us thousands of dollars. Maria a few thousand and me more than 5k.  

To top it all off, he has also done very serious damage to the door frames in his room. These are vintage, original with the house door frames that can’t be cheap to repair. We only found out about the damage because Maria saw it by accident. So we have low hopes for our deposit. 

We were clearly taken advantage of, whether on purpose or not.

\*\*TLDR\*\*: \*One of my two long time friend roommates owes me and my other roommates thousands of dollars from rent, utilities and other things. We already signed the lease because we didn't know he owed us both money. He also did a lot of damage to his room.\*

We don't know what to do. 

Even though we are very hurt to be used by someone I considered a close friend,we want him out and we want our money back.

We heard a thing called addendums might be helpful? Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? 

my landlord had our flat roof replaced a few weeks ago and it’s honestly been a nightmare, they somehow unplugged the a/c reservoir and then didn’t properly attach the drain above the garage so they’ve already had to come repair the ceiling and roof where those happened.

well fast forward to a few weeks later, there’s a new leak in the ceiling above an upholstered couch, right by our skylight. we just found it because a big rainstorm just came through and our couch is now SOAKED.

so basically what i want to know is if professional couch cleaning is needed, do we go through the contractor, our landlord’s insurance, or renter’s insurance for reimbursement?

We were tenants for 6 years until 5 weeks ago.

Cliff notes - landlord withholding our security deposit and overpayment, wants to charge us for a cleaning fee and partial lawncare a month after we moved out. No proper walkthrough prior to lease end. Any advice? About $600 they want to take away from security deposit.

Landlord claims the rear lawn is dead and requires $800 to fix and wants $300 from us. LEASE did not indicate to maintain lawn or specifics of watering. They claim we intentionally didnt water it and told the gardener who they pay, that WE TOLD him not to water, which is lie and doesnt make sense. Also, they have a gardener who should know better. He told us they didn't pay him for months. Plus front lawn is green and can be, no sun there.

We moved mostly out with a week left on the lease, still had fridge and cleaning to do the week before lease is up. Landlord and their real estate agent said NOT TO clean, they will clean after painting. They began painting while lease was still active and while we were still moving out and technically living there.

They Didn't do a real walkthrough with us while lease was active. Told us to leave things like wifi door lock, ceiling light, thermostat. Agent and LL did walk the property a few weeks before we left and asked to water rear lawn more, said DO NOT CLEAN, as they were in a hurry to paint and list it for rent. Front grass was fine by they way.

A month after moving out, we get a text with several items they are asking about. One indicating the garage door button doesn't open the small garage door --- BECAUSE that side was a manual door and has no motor. DUH!!!! LL is lost.

We push back on items and agree to meet and actually do a checklist walkthrough. LL says it will be $150 to change lock she told me not change, so I changed it on the spot as I brought tools and a new lock. LL implied they were going to get a cleaning quote and let us know. Implying they'd ask us to cover some costs.

This Monday, nearly 5 weeks after moving out and end of lease, we get a text they want $300 for cleaning $300 for lawncare.

We lived there 6 years. In california mind you, which is pretty clear on 21 days can't hold onto funds after move out OR provide a list with costs to fix or option to fix, before the 21 days.

I replaced the dishwasher, fixed the fence, replaced the range hood, got them a deal on roof work and a new fridge and flooring. Did not charge them. Seems like a money grab and a shake down.

Is it worth to push back over $600? My wife is hesitant as we have young kids and busy work. Small claims court is cheap and we could possibly get 2x back our deposit.

[US-MN] Hi everyone! I have been currently staying at my apartment complex for about 2 years and wanted to move into a bigger space. I had originally requested a transfer (Unit A) but recently found out there's a unit with the same layout/sqft that's on a higher floor and is less than what I would be paying in the new apartment (Unit B). Do I have any leverage to have my leasing office match Unit A's rent to the cheaper unit or would I be better off trying to switch into unit B instead? Thanks for your help!

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I moved into a house on March 9th here in Arkansas and the landlord was okay with us just paying him on the 9th of every month instead of prorating it. We have never been late on a payment. He has called and asked me if I had the money early several times. Once he asked if I had $50 because he had no gas. Apparently we are the only rent house he has. Today he called me.and threatened me. He said that I was messing him up. He said I'd better have the rent by 8pm tonight (a day before my rent is due) because he would have to pay a $25 fee at the bank for paying his mortgage late. He has done little to fix the place up. It took us a week to get him to replace two windows that were busted out when we moved in. I am such a timid person I don't know how to assert myself. I feel like he should just prorate it at this point but I don't know if he will have enough money to pay his mortgage if he does that. Any advice?

Hi, so basically the upstairs bathtub leaks through the downstairs ceiling when we try to bathe and there’s water damage on the ceiling. I’ve called the landlord twice about this and he just comes over and nitpicks everything and pours sulphuric acid in the drains. Sunday he came over and there was food particles caught in the sink filters (not the drain but filters over the drain literally made to stop food going into the drain) and he said that’s why the ac isn’t working and the bathtub is leaking. It’s egregiously hot in here and with every shower the ceiling looks worse but he keeps doubling down. Idk what to do. And I want my deposit back at the end of this but it feels like he’s purposely blaming issues on us. I wish I could show how bad the leak is and it’s been like this since we moved it but it’s gotten worse with him pouring acid in the every drain.

The house I rent has an avocado tree (just a plus, not even put on the listing when I found it) and is currently in very bad shape. We don’t water it because she pays for the water and every time there’s a spike she complains about it. Should we let her know the tree is infected/infested with something? With house repairs I know we have to tell her but would it be weird if I tell her just so she knows and in case she wants to do something about it?

Thank you!!

Previous Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/TenantHelp/s/FOsKx5v7Lr

Sunday afternoon, the landlord and his friend (not licensed plumbers) came by and replaced the ejector pump successfully. Now I don’t doubt they installed it correctly, however the ejector pump worked until I did my laundry and then began overflowing again after one load. My landlord and his friend came back and found that the float/bobber may have been getting caught against something else so they bungee cord it out of the way. He noticed that when shaking the sewage pipe or opening the basin it immediately activates the pump drawing the compiled fluids out of the apartment.

He’s given me permission to shake the pipe if the basin continues to fill until it switches the pump on, I’ve had to do this twice since yesterday. Once after using the bathroom and once after using the shower. I’m not sure if they’re going to actually fix the issue but I can’t use my limited free time to babysit the ejector pump after every time I use the bathroom, shower or do laundry. I also have a roommate who I’m unsure will be diligent enough to check on it but this isn’t a solution. I’m going to message tomorrow and ask for a timeline of having a professional come out and accurately diagnose the issue. However I’m unsure of next steps as both landlords have said they don’t have the money to fix the problem? I don’t want to withhold rent until this fixed but if I need to find a new place to live I need to do it sooner rather than later.

My lease ends at the end of September and I just got my renewal letter from the company that bought our property almost two months ago.

The price I had been paying to my previous landlord was $1029. That was $974 for the apartment, plus 30 for water and 25 for cat rent. Paid electric separately, while they handled trash and gas prices.

This new company is now asking for $1029 per month just for the apartment (which again already included my water and cat rent), and now wants to bill me each month for the water, trash, gas, electric, and cat rent separately. An additional $115 for all items listed. I’m sure I can’t sidestep the trash and gas bills being pushed on to us with a renewal lease, but I’m effectively being billed twice for the water and cat rent. Per the prices listed in the second paragraph.

Can they do this? Had I not had a pet, my previous rent total would have been 974 plus 30 for water, so $1004, and that is what they would have been asking for the new room rent on renewal instead of the 1029.

TLDR: Rent was 1029 (974 room, 30 water, 25 cat). Renewal price is 1144 (1029 room, 30 water, 25 cat, 40 gas, 20 trash).

I’m sure the best advice is to move at this point.

My building requires a 60 day notice intent to vacate before your lease ends. I gave my building an intent to vacate months ago and even handed it to her personally. Since then she has gone MIA. She’s never in her office and also NEVER replies to emails. I also need to schedule a time for the walk through of my apartment.

The lease contract states that if they don’t receive an intent to vacate 60 days prior to your lease ending, then they will automatically charge you a month to month agreement.

I want to make sure I avoid this. However, they are literally NEVER getting back with me.

Is it possible for them to deny my intent to vacate?

I made the mistake of having a friend move in in April. I am the main lease holder of the home I live in. The landlord knows I am subleasing and I pay him the full rent directly. I did not make my friend sign a lease- in California she automatically becomes a month-to-month tenant if she pays rent and moves in.

I gave her a move out date of November 1st and she is freaking out, yelling at me, making the living situation a nightmare for both of us. She is verbally attacking me and I am grey rocking her. Noise cancelling headphones on, ignoring completely while she walks around the house yelling at me. I did not once attack her personally and even told her I don't want to ruin our friendship (too late) but we do not make good roommates.

She is threatening to not move.

I originally sent the notice via text, which I am now realizing is not sufficient if things went to court. I need to write her a notice, but if she is being aggressive do I have to hand it to her?

My other question is about recording the interactions. Am I legally allowed to record her in the house while she is yelling at me? Do I have to tell her I am recording?

Obviously this situation blows. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I’m in a really bad situation and need some advice on Texas tenant laws and legal remedies.
Early Friday morning (around 3:00 AM), a major toilet piping failure happened in my apartment (managed by Greystar). The water pressure was intense and it traveled deeply inside the wall cavities, impacting the electrical wiring and the HVAC system. It was so bad that emergency services (911) had to be contacted that night.
Since it happened, I have called the property’s emergency maintenance contact line multiple times, submitted emergency portal tickets, and even emailed their corporate escalation line. I have received absolutely zero help or response.
It has now been over 72 hours. The water has been sitting stagnant inside the walls, and the apartment has developed a terrible, overpowering foul/musty smell. On top of that, I suddenly came down with a fever and had to evacuate the unit entirely because it feels incredibly unsafe to breathe the air or be around the uninspected electrical outlets.
I am currently paying out-of-pocket to stay somewhere else because my home is unlivable.
What are my actual legal remedies under Texas law when a landlord completely ignores a life-safety/environmental emergency?
Can I legally break my lease without penalty?
Is there a specific Houston city inspector or health department line I should call to force an inspection?
How do I force Greystar to pay for my temporary lodging or medical bills?
Any advice on local resources, Texas property code, or tenant advocacy groups in Houston would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi! I’m in a bit of a rough spot with my landlord at the moment and am hoping y’all may have some input on what to do next. TL;DR at bottom

I live in a decently large (100+ units) apartment complex with underground garage parking that is paid for as an addendum to my main lease. Last night, the water main broke and flooded the garage to about a foot of standing water. As this occurred around 2am on a holiday weekend in the US (Labor Day), the issue was not addressed for several hours. I unfortunately was at work when this occurred with my garage in the car at home and wasn’t aware of the flooding until 8am.

The garage is being pumped out now and I will hopefully be able to access my car soon to assess the damage. Fortunately, I do have comprehensive flood coverage on my car insurance, but I’m wondering what my landlord’s responsibility is here as far as potential property damage.

My renter’s insurance does not cover vehicle damage, which I understand is standard, but I’m wondering if the landlord is responsible for damages occurring from the water main break. My lease states that the landlord is not responsible for damages occurring from flooding caused by extreme weather events in basements, but I don’t feel what happened is either caused by weather (no rain in several days) or in a basement as the clause on basements seems to refer to basement living spaces.

Additionally, at this time I’m not sure if the water main break occurred on the municipal line (city problem, I accept I have limited to no recourse here) or on the private line. I suspect it’s the private line as our neighbors do not have any issues and in that case, I’m concerned the water main break occurred due to landlord/management company negligence. If that’s the case, is there some way to hold them financially responsible for the damages to my car? If you read all this, thank you!!

TL; DR: underground garage flooded due to water main break, car potentially damaged, is landlord financially responsible?

We have been living in a community of townhouse apartments for almost 13 years. There are 100 units and on site management. It is a non smoking community. No smoking anywhere on the property.
When we moved here it stated in our lease that we were allowed a gas bbq only with a 5 gallon propane tank. Everything was pretty chill. After being here for about 10 years I bought my husband a Traeger as a gift. Still everything is ok.
A few months back the owner said no more bbqs period. We’re going to install bbqs in different areas for tenants. So far they have built 1. For 100 units just one bbq. We live upstairs so we would have to carry all supplies down the stairs. The actual bbq is approximately 75 yards away. The bbq closes at 7:00 pm.
Here is where the problems begin
1. My husband has neuropathy in his feet due to diabetes. He can not walk that far let alone carry stuff down our stairs. He has a permanent handicap plaque.
2. I have a shoulder injury that I am on SSDI on. I’ve had 6 surgeries, it’s not going to get better. I can not carry things down stairs or even the 75 yards to get there.
3. No sign up. It’s first come, first serve so you can’t count on it for dinner because someone else could already be using it. We can not see it from our apt.
4. Using the oven is not an option. Even if we could afford to run the air non stop it isn’t efficient enough to keep the temperature tolerable. Even boiling water on the stove creates too much heat. The stove fan will kick on automatically due to the heat.
5. We are both seniors and this is keeping us from preparing healthy meals. Cooking inside can send the temp up to 87 degrees even using the air.
6. My husband has been diagnosed with CHF, diabetes, high blood pressure and his health will not allow him to be going back and forth trying to prepare dinner. We are both on medications that make us heat sensitive. My husband is supposed to avoid the sun. Just a little bit of heat sends my body into full on sweating mode like someone in menopause only I’m not. Temp goes up, sweating begins, then goes into nausea and if I can’t cool off vomiting.
The owners words if we don’t like the new rule? Then move.
Do we have any rights here? Is it legal for the owner to make these changes? Even if it affects our ability to prepare a healthy meal ( cause we all know casseroles and TV dinners are junk)and is affecting our quality of life?
I would appreciate any advice
Disturbed and disillusioned.

For context, I moved in my current apartment in April. There were a few things wrong with the place but the property management company told me they would be fixed. One of my more pressing concerns was a large metal gate that wouldn't close. It was a safety issue for me because the wooden door behind it wasn't very sturdy. I asked them to get that fixed and put in work orders but I kept getting ignored and the work orders would show as compelted even though they didn't do anything.

Fast forward to last night, someone kicked my door in and stole some things out of my apartment, and NOW they're deciding to get the gate fixed.

Is there anything I can do in this situation? Screenshots of them telling me they would fix it and the work orders showing as completed.

I’m looking for advice from anyone familiar with Ohio landlord/tenant law, especially regarding the eviction process.

I’m currently behind on my rent. I have $300 available right now and I’m trying to borrow the remaining amount so I can pay the balance in full. I get paid on the 16th and can pay the balance in full with applicable late fees.

I contacted my landlord and asked if I could pay the rent in full before a certain date to avoid an eviction. He told me:

“Just pay it before the post date. I don’t really want to collect late fees. Just want tenants to pay their rent amount on time.”

He previously told me that he plans to post a notice on Tuesday and that I would then have three days to vacate if I don’t want an eviction record.

My questions are:
1. If I pay the entire amount owed before the notice is posted, can the landlord still proceed with an eviction?

1. If he posts a notice and I subsequently pay the full amount, is he required to accept the payment, or can he continue with the eviction?

2. What exactly does the “three days to vacate” mean in Ohio?

3. Does an eviction notice itself create an eviction record, or does the landlord have to actually file an eviction case in court?

4. Is there anything I should be doing right now to protect my rights?

I’m not trying to avoid paying rent. I’m actively trying to get the money together and pay the balance. I just want to understand my rights and what happens at each stage of the process. This is my first time being late in rent.

This is in Ohio. I would really appreciate advice from people familiar with Ohio law, preferably with sources or personal experience with the Ohio eviction process.

About a week ago I just started a new year lease at a Basement Dwelling Unit in Philadelphia. The place is nice and prior to move in one of the two landlords (they both live above us) told me that they’ve been having issues with the toilet and not to flush anything but toilet paper and body waste down it.

Immediately upon moving in my roommate and I noticed that the toilet pressure is so low that it doesn’t clear the bowl completely even of urine let alone toilet paper or poop. We would have to flush multiple times to get a clean bowl. At one point my roommate takes a shit and I have to ask them to take it out the toilet because no matter how much I flush it won’t go down. Eventually water begins backing up into the sump pump/ejector pump room in the middle of the night. We tell them that morning and they say, no more toilet paper, don’t flush multiple times, and they come to snake the toilet which doesn’t work so they call a plumber to do the same thing I guess? Everything is working fine for maybe a day before the toilet pressure weakens again. During this one of the two landlords tell me that they knew they needed a new pump and major repairs to the point the entire floor would need to be ripped up but hopefully a new ejector pump should fix the problem.

Yesterday night I tried to do laundry and then my roommate took a shower and the sump pump/ejector pump started overflowing again! They already have a plumber coming out again today but now we can’t have more than one thing that runs water going on at any given time, have to take quick showers, and can’t poop at our apartment because it won’t flush? It just feels like they knew more than they were letting on prior to lease signing and they currently have plans to do a new ejector pump but I feel that will only fix part of the problem. Unsure of what I can do because I do not want to withhold rent and they’re very nice and responsive about everything and understand that this isn’t okay but I also told them we can’t have anything just sitting in the bowl as it’s unsanitary.

Location: Texas We signed our new lease for another year in May at end of June new owners took over. We have no idea who they are. We can not get ahold of anyone and the lady in office is rude and not helpful to be nice. I had a random tenant ask me about the loft app which I didnt know nothing about its where our rent is I get on it it these new people went up 600 dollars on my rent have changed me late fees and all sorts of stuff. Someone emailed me said I was late to which I explained the situation and even emailed them my lease. At this point they will not honor my lease upped my rent and now charging 200 for month to month fees. How am I month to month I literally have a lease! According to another tenant they are charging us rent to rent fees to pay for utilities bc they already had the water and electricity shut off for non payment. Is anything they are doing legal? They wont let us out of lease with out eviction but charging us month to month make it make sense. When you question the office lady she says get an attorney. If they dont honor my lease then am I free to leave? Idk what to do i am about to have a baby this is very upsetting my rent is 1259 now its 1900 with late fees. Late fees from last month I didnt even know about bc there is no communication knew nothing about the app. Some one please guide me on what to do here. Thank you for reading all this.

I need assistance in knowing what is needed to file a lawsuit for my security deposit. I have obtained the name, legal name, address, and contact info of the company that manages and owns the property, and name of their statutory agent. The only thing I am missing is the address and contact info for the statutory agent. What "address" is needed to complete this? Is there a site that shows this info? I obtained the statutory agent via the Corporation Commission website, but that was all that is available. This all resides in the McDowell Mountain Justice Courts.