Where am I entitled to file suit?

By Andrew

My situation is as follows:My wife & I wanted to move from the Detroit area to an Upper Peninsula of Michigan town named Ironwood.  I found a home posted on craigslist.  I negotiated a lease, had it sent to me and signed it then mailed it back along with a security deposit plus first month’s rent; October’s rent.  My wife arrived to take possession on November 6th.  Suffice it to say the place was in deplorable condition.  Mold in the fridge, kitchen sink poured water through onto the floor, dried feces in commode (water had been off for months), broken glass all over dining room carpet, stairs with no handrail, ceiling collapsing in second story from water damage & the list goes on (seriously…no stove, front steps collapsing & have to step on a wood box balanced on bricks to enter!?!, dust from sanded lead based paint coating everything and still the list goes on!).  City bldg inspector, who almost fell off front box, noted the home was never registered with the city as a rental, thereby circumventing the inspection process; photographed and noted all the code violations et.al.  We were told landlord Scelzo would have 30 days to bring the place up to code or it would be deemed uninhabitable and we would have to leave.  She’s refused to make any repairs.  We didn’t hear from her for 3 weeks so we secured another place to stay.  My question is, since I negotiated, secured and signed the lease from here in the Detroit metro area, am I entitled to file suit in small claims or civil court here or do I have to file suit in Ironwood?Thank you for your time and expertise –

Drew

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