Michigan Late Fee Law
No Michigan statute caps residential late fees or requires a grace period; the lease sets both.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Michigan late fee law at a glance
| Late-fee cap | No state capMCL ch. 554 landlord-tenant acts (silent on late fees), Michigan LSB, A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords, Q12 |
|---|---|
| Grace period | No state grace periodMCL ch. 554 landlord-tenant acts (silent on grace periods) |
| Notice before filing for unpaid rent | 7 days (7-day demand for possession (nonpayment of rent))MCL 600.5714(1)(a), MCL 554.134(2) |
What Michigan law says
Is there a limit on late fees in Michigan?
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)).
Does Michigan require a grace period before a late fee?
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)).
How much notice must a Michigan landlord give for 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)).
How Michigan compares
31 of 51 verified jurisdictions set no statutory cap. 14 require a grace period.
Indiana and Wisconsin follow the same rule as Michigan; 1 of its 3 neighbors differs.
Other Michigan rules
| Security deposit limit | 1.5 months' rentMCL 554.602 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after move-outMCL 554.609(1)-(2), MCL 554.610, MCL 554.613 |
| Entry notice | No state ruleMCL 554.601-554.616 (Landlord-Tenant Relationship Act; no entry provision), MCL 554.631-554.641 (Truth in Renting Act; no entry provision) |
| Rent-increase notice | No state ruleMCL 554.633(1)(l), MCL 554.134(1) |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days (either side)MCL 554.134 |