Question 1

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Maximum 1.5 times the monthly rent. Source: MCL 554.602 (Michigan Legislature, A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords, rev. 3/2026) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 2

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

To claim damages, mail the tenant an itemized notice of damages, with estimated repair costs, within 30 days after occupancy ends. Source: MCL 554.609 (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-554-609), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 3

How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

The Michigan Legislature's guide (Rev. 3/2026) says landlords generally cannot change lease terms mid-lease without the tenant's consent. One exception: if the lease includes a clause allowing it, the landlord may raise rent with 30 days' written notice to cover higher property taxes, utilities or insurance premiums. Source: MCL 554.633(1)(l) (per Michigan Legislature, A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords, Rev. 3/2026) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/Publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 4

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Michigan, and how much?

Accepted Answer

No fixed cap. A late fee must be reasonable and proportionate to the landlord's actual damages from the late payment. Source: Michigan Legislature, A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords (rev. 3/2026), Question 12 (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 5

What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

7-day written Demand for Possession to pay the rent owed or move out (state court form DC 100a). The demand must state the amount due. Source: MCL 554.134(2); MCL 600.5716; SCAO form DC 100a, reproduced in Michigan Legislature guide (rev. 3/2026) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 6

Can cities in Michigan pass rent control?

Accepted Answer

Preempted. A local government may not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property, subject to limited exceptions in the statute. Source: MCL 123.411 (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-123-411), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 7

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Either party may end a tenancy at will with 1 month's notice. If rent is paid at intervals shorter than 3 months, notice equal to the interval between payments is enough. For nonpayment, the landlord may end the tenancy with a written 7-day notice to quit. Source: MCL 554.134(1)-(2) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-554-134), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 8

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Michigan's Landlord-Tenant Act (Act 348 of 1972, MCL 554.601 to .616) does not require interest on security deposits (full act read). Source: MCL 554.601-554.616 (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-348-of-1972), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 9

Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Required. At move-in the landlord gives 2 identical blank inventory checklists with a required bold notice; the tenant completes and returns one within 7 days and may request the prior tenant's termination checklist. At move-out the landlord completes a termination inventory checklist listing claimed damages. Source: MCL 554.608 (MI Legislature Practical Guide) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 10

Is landlord retaliation illegal in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Retaliatory eviction is a defense to an eviction case. Source: MCL 600.5720 (MI Legislature Practical Guide) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 11

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Self-help eviction is prohibited: a landlord may not remove a tenant by changing the locks, turning off utilities, or otherwise interfering with possession, except in limited circumstances, and may owe damages. Landlords must use the court summary proceedings. Source: MI Legislature Practical Guide, Question 29 (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 12

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

For breach of the covenants of habitability and fitness, depending on the circumstances a tenant may sue for breach of contract, make repairs and deduct the cost from rent, or withhold rent. The landlord's breach is also a defense to eviction. Source: MCL 554.139 (MI Legislature Practical Guide) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 13

What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Leases must include the Truth in Renting notice, in a prominent place and at least 12-point type. Leases with a security deposit must also include the landlord's name and address for notices and the tenant's duty to give a forwarding address within 4 days of moving out. Federal lead-based paint notice is also required. Source: MCL 554.631–554.641, 554.603 (MI Legislature Practical Guide) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 14

Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking (or whose children are) may end a lease early under MCL 554.601b's detailed requirements. Seniors and people unable to live independently, after 13+ months of occupancy, may end with 60 days' written notice to move to subsidized senior housing or for certified incapacity. Servicemembers may terminate under the federal SCRA. Source: MCL 554.601a, 554.601b; 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (MI Legislature Practical Guide) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 15

How does the eviction court process work in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

The summons orders the tenant to appear for trial within 10 days of issuance (served at least 3 days before), or within 30 days in proceedings under § 5726. Source: MCL 600.5735(2) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-5735), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 16

What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

A landlord may recover possession through summary proceedings when a person holds over after the lease term ends, after the lease is terminated under a power in the lease or implied by law, or after a notice to quit. Source: MCL 600.5714(1)(c) (https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-5714), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 17

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

A landlord may not deny or end a tenancy, set different terms, or refuse to count rent vouchers or subsidies toward income requirements because of a tenant's or applicant's source of income. Source: MCL 37.2502(3) (https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-37-2502), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 18

Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Each unit in a class "A" multiple dwelling must have a single- or multiple-station smoke alarm meeting the state construction code, and the owner must comply. Violations are a misdemeanor (fine up to $500 and/or up to 90 days). Smaller rentals are covered by the state construction code, which this site has not reviewed. Source: MCL 125.482a (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-125-482a), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 19

What is the deposit bank holding / separate account rule in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

The deposit must be kept in a regulated financial institution, unless the landlord posts a cash or surety bond with the Secretary of State, in which case the money may be used. Code text: "The security deposit shall be deposited in a regulated financial institution." Source: MCL 554.604(1) (https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-554-604), last checked 2026-10-16.

Question 20

What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after." Source: 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) (https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/121/htm_usc50@119-121.zip), last checked 2026-10-16.

Question 21

What is the domestic violence early termination rule in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

A tenant with a reasonable apprehension of present danger to themselves or their child from domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking can be released from the rent obligation. They must give written notice and documentation. Rent stops no later than the first day of the second month that rent is due after notice. Code text: "A tenant who has a reasonable apprehension of present danger to the tenant or his or her child from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking while that person is a tenant shall be released from his or her rental payment obligation in accordance with the requirements of this section after submittal of written notice of his or her intent to seek a release and written documentation that the tenant has a reasonable apprehension of present danger" (MCL 554.601b(1)). Source: MCL 554.601b(1) (https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-554-601b), last checked 2026-10-16.

Question 22

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

$45. If the complaint seeks only recovery of possession (summary proceedings), the filing fee is $45. Joining a money-judgment claim adds the ordinary money-claim filing fee. Statute text: "If the complaint is for the recovery of possession of premises only, the fee for filing a proceeding under this chapter is $45.00. (2) If a claim for a money judgment is joined with a claim for the recovery of possession of premises, the plaintiff shall pay a supplemental filing fee in the same amount as established by law for the filing of a claim for a money judgment in the same court. (3) Of each filing fee collected under this section, at the end of each month, the clerk of the district cour" (MCL 600.5756(1)). Source: MCL 600.5756(1) (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-600-5756.pdf), last checked 2026-10-16.

Michigan landlord-tenant law FAQ