Michigan Landlord-Tenant Laws
If you rent out property in Michigan, these are the rules you need to follow. This page covers the landlord-tenant statutes that come up most often: security deposits, late fees, eviction notice periods, and notice to enter. This is informational only — not legal advice. When in doubt, consult a Michigan landlord-tenant attorney.
| Security deposit cap | 1.5 months |
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days |
| Late fee limit | Reasonable |
| Pay-or-quit notice | 7-day demand for possession |
| Notice to enter | No statute |
| Month-to-month termination | 1 rental period |
| Rent control | Prohibited statewide |
Key Rules at a Glance
- IMPORTANTSecurity deposit capped at 1.5 months rent
- NOTEMust provide itemized deductions within 30 days of move-out
- NOTETenant has 7 days to dispute itemized deductions
- IMPORTANTTruth in Renting Act requires specific disclosures in lease
- IMPORTANTSelf-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings) is illegal
Security Deposits in Michigan
Michigan caps security deposits at 1.5 months. After move-out, landlords must return the deposit (with itemized deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond ordinary wear and tear) within 30 days. Missing this deadline can expose you to penalties — in many states, the tenant can recover up to 2-3x the wrongfully withheld amount in court.
Best practice:document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out, keep all repair receipts, and send the itemized statement by certified mail.
Late Fees & Grace Periods
The Michigan late fee limit is Reasonable. Late fees should always be specified in the written lease — charging a fee that isn't in the lease is unenforceable in most jurisdictions. Many landlords offer a 3-5 day grace period before the late fee triggers.
Eviction & Notice Periods
For non-payment of rent in Michigan, the standard pay-or-quit notice is 7-day demand for possession. To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause, give 1 rental period notice. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is illegal in every state — you must go through the court process.
Notice to Enter the Property
Michigan requires No statute before a landlord enters an occupied rental for non-emergency reasons (repairs, showings, inspections). Emergencies (fire, gas leak, flooding) are an exception. Best practice: put the notice in writing — text or email is fine in most states.
Rent Control in Michigan
Prohibited statewide.
What Goes In a Michigan Lease
A solid Michigan lease should specify: monthly rent and due date, late fees and grace period, security deposit amount and return terms, lease length, who pays which utilities, pet policy and any pet deposit, parking arrangements, smoking rules, sublet policy, and any state-required disclosures (lead paint for pre-1978 units, mold disclosure where required).
PropertyNinja's lease generator includes Michigan-specific fields and supports e-signatures, so you can send a finalized lease to a tenant in under 5 minutes.
Disclaimer
This page is a quick reference for Michigan landlord-tenant law as of 2026. State laws change — always verify against current statutes (and any local ordinances) before taking action. PropertyNinja is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.