Michigan Landlord-Tenant Law

Maximum deposit

Landlords may not require a security deposit of more than 1.5 months' rent (MCL 554.602). (MCL 554.602)

Return deadline

Within 30 days after the tenant moves out, the landlord must mail an itemized notice of damages with the balance, or else return the full deposit immediately (MCL 554.609-554.610). (MCL 554.609(1)-(2), MCL 554.610, MCL 554.613)

Itemized deductions

A landlord claiming damages must mail an itemized list with estimated repair costs within 30 days after the tenancy ends (MCL 554.609). (MCL 554.609, 2026 PA 102)

Interest on deposits

Michigan law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits, though the deposit must be kept in a regulated financial institution unless the landlord posts a bond (MCL 554.604). (MCL 554.601-554.616 (silent on interest); MCL 554.604)

Penalty for wrongful withholding

A landlord who does not follow the notice and court-action rules waives all claimed damages and owes the tenant double the deposit retained (MCL 554.613(2)). (MCL 554.613(2), MCL 554.610)

Late-fee limit

Michigan has no statute capping late fees, but a fee must be reasonable and proportionate to the landlord's actual damages from late payment (MCL 554.601 et seq.). (MCL ch. 554 landlord-tenant acts (silent on late fees), Michigan LSB, A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords, Q12)

Grace period

Michigan law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the lease controls (MCL 554.601 et seq.). (MCL ch. 554 landlord-tenant acts (silent on grace periods))

Michigan has no statute setting a notice period before a landlord enters a rented unit, so the lease governs access (MCL 554.601-554.616; Truth in Renting Act, MCL 554.631-554.641). (MCL 554.601-554.616 (Landlord-Tenant Relationship Act; no entry provision), MCL 554.631-554.641 (Truth in Renting Act; no entry provision))

Either party may end a Michigan month-to-month tenancy with one month's notice, or notice equal to the time between rent payments when rent is due more often, and the tenancy ends one full rental interval after the notice (MCL 554.134(1)). (MCL 554.134)

Michigan sets no rent-increase notice period, so on a month-to-month tenancy an increase in practice needs at least the one-month termination notice, and during a lease rent can change only with the tenant's written consent or under a lease clause passing through tax, utility or insurance increases on 30 days' written notice (MCL 554.633(1)(l), 554.134(1)). (MCL 554.633(1)(l), MCL 554.134(1))

Michigan has no rent control, and state law bars local governments from controlling the rent charged for private residential property (MCL 123.411(2)). (MCL 123.411)

Every Michigan lease must state the landlord's name and address for notices and print the Truth in Renting Act notice prominently; if a deposit is taken, within 14 days of move-in give written notice of the landlord's address, the deposit bank or surety and the 4-day forwarding-address warning, and give two blank move-in inventory checklists (MCL 554.634, 554.603, 554.608). (MCL 554.634, MCL 554.603, 554.608, 40 CFR 745.107)

• Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet (Housing built before 1978 (unless exempt under 40 CFR 745.101)) — 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart F (§ 745.107)
• Name and address at which the tenant must give notices to the landlord (In every rental agreement) — MCL 554.634(1)
• Truth in Renting Act notice in at least 12-point type (In every rental agreement, in a prominent place) — MCL 554.634(2)
• Landlord's name and address, the financial institution or surety holding the deposit, and the boldface 4-day forwarding-address statement (If a security deposit is required: in writing within 14 days after the tenant takes possession) — MCL 554.603
• Two blank commencement inventory checklists with the statutory boldface notice (If a security deposit is required: at the start of the lease) — MCL 554.608

Unpaid rent

For unpaid rent, serve a written 7-day demand for possession (or a 7-day notice to quit); the landlord may file for summary proceedings if the tenant neither pays nor leaves within 7 days of service (MCL 600.5714(1)(a); MCL 554.134(2)). (MCL 600.5714(1)(a), MCL 554.134(2))

Lease violations

Michigan sets no general notice period or cure right for ordinary lease violations: a landlord may recover possession after ending the lease under its own termination clause, while serious health hazards or extensive damage need a 7-day demand that lets the tenant repair, and violence or threats need a 7-day notice to quit (MCL 600.5714(1)(c)-(e)). (MCL 600.5714(1)(c)-(e), MCL 554.134(1), (4))