Renting in Michigan
Your rights as a tenant in Michigan
In Michigan, the security deposit can be up to 1.5 months of rent. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.
Key numbers in Michigan
- Maximum deposit
- Up to 1.5 months of rent
- MCL 554.602
- To return your deposit
- 30 days
- MCL 554.609(1)
- Notice for late rent
- 7 days
- MCL 554.134(2)
What the law says
The rules, one by one
The basic rules for renting in Michigan, answered with state law and its citation.
Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.
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How much can they charge for a deposit?
Up to 1.5 months of rent
A security deposit may not exceed one and a half months' rent.
What the law says · MCL 554.602
“A landlord may require a security deposit for each rental unit. A security deposit shall be required and maintained in accordance with the terms of this act and shall not exceed 1 1/2 months' rent.”
Source: Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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When must they return my deposit?
30 days
Within 30 days after you move out, the landlord must mail you an itemized list of damages claimed, with the estimated cost of each, together with a check (or electronic transfer) for the balance of the deposit. You must respond by mail within 7 days if you disagree.
What the law says · MCL 554.609(1)
“In case of damage to the rental unit or other obligation against the security deposit, the landlord shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, a notice of damages that contains an itemized list of damages claimed for which the security deposit may be used as provided in section 7, including the estimated cost of repair of each damaged property item and the amounts and bases on which the landlord intends to assess the tenant.”
Source: Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
7 days
If you do not pay rent, the landlord may end the tenancy with a written 7-day notice to quit, and may sue if you remain 7 days after service of the written demand for possession for nonpayment.
What the law says · MCL 554.134(2)
“If a tenant neglects or refuses to pay rent on a lease at will or otherwise, the landlord may terminate the tenancy by giving the tenant a written 7-day notice to quit.”
Source: Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
Either party may end a tenancy at will (month to month) by giving one month's notice. If rent is paid at intervals of less than three months, notice equal to the interval between payments is sufficient.
What the law says · MCL 554.134(1)
“Except as provided otherwise in this section, an estate at will or by sufferance may be terminated by either party by giving 1 month's notice to the other party. If the rent reserved in a lease is payable at periods of less than 3 months, the time of notice is sufficient if it is equal to the interval between the times of payment.”
Source: Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws) · Verified on October 23, 2026
Protections
Protections the law gives you
We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.
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Only a court order can remove you
Yes: state law says so
If the landlord unlawfully interferes with your possession (force or threats, changing locks without giving you a key, removing doors or windows, cutting heat, water, electricity or gas, or removing your belongings), you may recover your actual damages or $200 per occurrence, whichever is greater, and regain possession if you lost it.
What the law says · MCL 600.2918(2)
“Any tenant in possession of premises whose possessory interest has been unlawfully interfered with by the owner is entitled to recover the amount of his or her actual damages or $200.00, whichever is greater, for each occurrence and, if possession has been lost, to recover possession. Subject to subsection (3), unlawful interference with a possessory interest includes 1 or more of the following: (a) Use of force or threat of force. (b) Removal, retention, or destruction of personal property of the possessor. (c) Changing, altering, or adding to the locks or other security devices on the property without immediately providing keys or other unlocking devices to the person in possession. (d) Boarding of the premises that prevents or deters entry. (e) Removal of doors, windows, or locks. (f) Causing, by action or omission, the termination or interruption of a service procured by the tenant or that the landlord is under an existing duty to furnish”
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Protection from retaliation
Yes: state law says so
The court may not order your eviction if you prove the termination was primarily a penalty for asserting your rights, complaining to an authority about a health or safety violation, or taking part in a tenant organization. Official action within the previous 90 days raises a presumption of retaliation.
What the law says · MCL 600.5720(1)
“A judgment for possession of the premises for an alleged termination of tenancy shall not be entered against a defendant if 1 or more of the following is established: (a) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as a penalty for the defendant's attempt to secure or enforce rights under the lease or agreement or under the laws of the state, of a governmental subdivision of this state, or of the United States. (b) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as a penalty for the defendant's complaint to a governmental authority with a report of plaintiff's violation of a health or safety code or ordinance. (c) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as retribution for a lawful act arising out of the tenancy, including membership in a tenant organization”
Eviction
How an eviction works in Michigan
Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.
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Written demand for possession for nonpayment; 7 days to pay or leave
at least 7 days
What the law says · MCL 600.5714(1)(a)
“When a person holds over premises after failing or refusing to pay rent due under the lease or agreement by which the person holds the premises within 7 days from the service of a written demand for possession for nonpayment of the rent due.”
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Summons with a trial date within 10 days, served at least 3 days before
3 to 10 days
What the law says · MCL 600.5735(2)(b)
“Within 10 days of the issuance date of the summons in all other proceedings, in which event the summons shall be served not less than 3 days before the date set for trial.”
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Writ of restitution not before 10 days after judgment; paying the judgment amount within that time prevents it
at least 10 days
What the law says · MCL 600.5744(5), (7)
“If subsections (3) and (4) do not apply, a writ of restitution must not be issued until the expiration of 10 days after the entry of the judgment for possession. … If a judgment for possession is for nonpayment of money due under a tenancy … the writ of restitution must not be issued if, within the time provided, the amount stated in the judgment, with the taxed costs, is paid to the plaintiff”
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a deposit in Michigan?
A security deposit may not exceed one and a half months' rent. (MCL 554.602)
When must a deposit be returned in Michigan?
Within 30 days after you move out, the landlord must mail you an itemized list of damages claimed, with the estimated cost of each, together with a check (or electronic transfer) for the balance of the deposit. You must respond by mail within 7 days if you disagree. (MCL 554.609(1))
What notice is required for late rent in Michigan?
If you do not pay rent, the landlord may end the tenancy with a written 7-day notice to quit, and may sue if you remain 7 days after service of the written demand for possession for nonpayment. (MCL 554.134(2))
How much notice ends a month-to-month rental in Michigan?
Either party may end a tenancy at will (month to month) by giving one month's notice. If rent is paid at intervals of less than three months, notice equal to the interval between payments is sufficient. (MCL 554.134(1))
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
Pending
What is left to verify
We have not yet verified these Michigan rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.
- Are there limits on late fees? Not verified yet
- How much notice before a rent increase? Not verified yet
- Protection related to immigration status Not verified yet
- Repair and deduct from the rent Not verified yet