Michigan Residential Lease Agreement
Michigan limits security deposits to 1.5 months' rent, and requires its return within 30 days after move-out.
MakeLease generates a customizable lease; add these Michigan disclosures and terms.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Michigan lease rules at a glance
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Security deposit cap | 1.5 months' rentMCL 554.602 |
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after move-outMCL 554.609(1)-(2), MCL 554.610, MCL 554.613 |
| Late fees | No state cap · grace period: no state grace periodMCL ch. 554 landlord-tenant acts (silent on late fees), Michigan LSB, A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords, Q12, MCL ch. 554 landlord-tenant acts (silent on grace periods) |
| Landlord 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) |
| Ending a month-to-month lease | 30 days (either side)MCL 554.134 |
| Rent increase notice | No state ruleMCL 554.633(1)(l), MCL 554.134(1) |
| Rent control | None; cities barred from adopting itMCL 123.411 |
| Eviction notice for unpaid rent | 7 days (7-day demand for possession (nonpayment of rent))MCL 600.5714(1)(a), MCL 554.134(2) |
Michigan lease disclosures checklist
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 agreementMCL 554.634(1)
- Truth in Renting Act notice in at least 12-point type — In every rental agreement, in a prominent placeMCL 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 possessionMCL 554.603
- Two blank commencement inventory checklists with the statutory boldface notice — If a security deposit is required: at the start of the leaseMCL 554.608
MakeLease generates a customizable lease; add these Michigan disclosures and terms.
Before you sign in Michigan
- If a deposit is withheld wrongly
- 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)
- Deductions from the deposit
- 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 the deposit
- 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)
- Rent control and increases
- 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)
No statewide rent control; no county, city, village or township may enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance or resolution that controls the rent charged for private residential property, except for property it owns an interest in or voluntary incentive programs (MCL 123.411).
- If rent goes unpaid
- 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))
Michigan lease FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Michigan?
Landlords may not require a security deposit of more than 1.5 months' rent (MCL 554.602).
How long does a Michigan landlord have to return a security deposit?
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)).
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)). 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 before entering a rental?
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)).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Michigan?
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)).
What disclosures does a Michigan lease need?
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). The list covers Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet, Name and address at which the tenant must give notices to the landlord, Truth in Renting Act notice in at least 12-point type, Landlord's name and address, the financial institution or surety holding the deposit, and the boldface 4-day forwarding-address statement and Two blank commencement inventory checklists with the statutory boldface notice.
More on renting in Michigan
- Michigan landlord-tenant law — every topic in full, compared with neighbouring states
- Michigan security deposit law — limit, return deadline and a deadline calculator
- Ohio residential lease agreement
- Wisconsin residential lease agreement
- Notice to vacate
- Lead paint disclosure
- Lease agreements for other states
Lease pages for Indiana are coming soon.
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