Michigan

A Michigan simple (basic) lease agreement creates a legally binding contract that outlines terms agreed upon by landlords and tenants when renting property. This rental document must comply with Michigan landlord-tenant rental laws and include essential details such as party names and contact information, property addresses, disclosures regarding health and safety hazards, lease duration, rent specifics, and security deposit information. Every Michigan lease agreement must protect both parties while adhering to state regulations.

Michigan Simple (Basic) Lease Agreement

Michigan maintains landlord-friendly rental laws without statewide rent control restrictions. Additionally, the state places no statutory limits on late fees that property owners can charge. Furthermore, while landlords may include late fee structures in their rental agreements, Michigan provides no mandated grace periods for rent payments. Moreover, property owners face no licensing requirements to operate rental properties in the state.

Subsequently, landlords typically evaluate prospective tenants before finalizing any Michigan lease agreement to ensure successful tenancy relationships.

Required Michigan Lease Agreement Disclosures

Michigan law mandates specific disclosures that property owners must include in rental contracts:

Basic Identification and Contact Requirements

Landlord Identification: Every Michigan lease agreement must include landlord names and addresses for sending legal notices to property owners.

Safety and Protection Disclosures

Domestic Violence Victims Notice: Property owners must include statements indicating that tenants who fear for their safety due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may have rights to break their leases. The required statement reads:

“NOTICE: A tenant who has a reasonable apprehension of present danger to him or her or his or her child from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may have special statutory rights to seek a release of rental obligation under MCL 554.601b.”

Security Deposit Documentation Requirements

Security Deposit Notice: When security deposits are required, landlords must provide written notices including their names and addresses, financial institution names holding deposits, and security deposit receipts in their Michigan lease agreement terms. The notice must contain this statement in twelve-point bold-face font:

“YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR LANDLORD IN WRITING WITHIN 4 DAYS AFTER YOU MOVE OF A FORWARDING ADDRESS WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED AND WHERE YOU WILL RECEIVE MAIL; OTHERWISE YOUR LANDLORD SHALL BE RELIEVED OF SENDING YOU AN ITEMIZED LIST OF DAMAGES AND THE PENALTIES ADHERENT TO THAT FAILURE.”

Legal Rights and Obligations Disclosures

Truth in Renting Act Disclosure: Property owners must include notifications about the Michigan Truth in Renting Act, which outlines rights and obligations for rental agreements. The statement must appear in twelve-point font or legible print with letters no less than 1/8 inch:

“NOTICE: Michigan law establishes rights and obligations for parties to rental agreements. This agreement is required to comply with the Truth in Renting Act. If you have a question about the interpretation or legality of a provision of this agreement, you may want to seek assistance from a lawyer or other qualified person.”

Property Inspection Requirements

Inventory Checklist: Landlords must provide rental inspection checklists, which tenants must review and return within one week. The checklist must include this statement in twelve-point bold-face font:

“YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THIS CHECKLIST, NOTING THE CONDITION OF THE RENTAL PROPERTY, AND RETURN IT TO THE LANDLORD WITHIN 7 DAYS AFTER OBTAINING POSSESSION OF THE RENTAL UNIT. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A COPY OF THE LAST TERMINATION INVENTORY CHECKLIST WHICH SHOWS WHAT CLAIMS WERE CHARGEABLE TO THE LAST PRIOR TENANTS.”

Federal Health Safety Requirements

Lead-Based Hazards Disclosure: For properties built before 1978, landlords must provide lead-based paint disclosures prior to occupancy in their Michigan lease agreement documentation, as federal law requires.

Michigan Lease Agreement Security Deposit Regulations

Michigan regulates security deposits through specific requirements that balance landlord and tenant interests:

Security Deposit Limits and Receipt Requirements

Initially, maximum security deposit amounts cannot exceed one and a half months’ rent under Michigan lease agreement terms. Additionally, landlords must provide receipts for security deposits within 14 days, including institution names and addresses.

Security Deposit Banking and Interest Requirements

Furthermore, property owners must keep deposits in regulated financial institutions. However, Michigan requires no interest payments on security deposits held under rental contracts.

Security Deposit Return and Documentation Procedures

Finally, landlords must return security deposits within 30 days after tenancies end. Moreover, when property owners withhold any amounts, they must provide itemized damage lists under their Michigan lease agreement provisions.

Michigan Lease Agreement Rent Payment Requirements

Monthly Rent Due Dates and Control Policies

Initially, tenants must pay rent on due dates specified in rental contracts. Additionally, Michigan enforces no statewide rent control laws, giving landlords flexibility in pricing decisions.

Late Fee Policies and Grace Period Considerations

Furthermore, property owners can include late fees in rental agreements without statutory limits. However, Michigan law requires no grace periods for late rent payments.

Tenant Rent Withholding Rights

Nevertheless, tenants may withhold rent when landlords fail to make necessary repairs after receiving proper notice under their Michigan lease agreement provisions.

Landlord Entry Rights Under Michigan Lease Agreements

While Michigan specifies no state laws regarding notice periods for landlord entry, property owners should provide 24 to 48 hours’ notice before entering properties as recommended best practice. Additionally, state law prohibits landlords from changing locks without court orders.

Property Maintenance Responsibilities

Landlord Repair Obligations

Initially, landlords must maintain rental properties in habitable conditions throughout tenancy periods. Property owners bear primary responsibility for ensuring safe, livable environments under their Michigan lease agreement obligations.

Tenant Repair Rights and Cost Recovery

Meanwhile, tenants may complete repairs themselves and deduct costs from rent when landlords fail to make necessary repairs promptly.

Property Abandonment and Eviction Procedures

Finally, while Michigan specifies no state laws regarding abandonment timeframes, landlords can evict tenants when rent remains unpaid and properties appear abandoned.

How to Terminate a Michigan Lease Agreement

Month-to-Month Tenancy Termination

Either party can terminate month-to-month tenancies with one month’s notice under Michigan regulations. This standard notice period gives both parties reasonable preparation time for tenancy changes.

Abandoned Property Management Policies

Additionally, Michigan law requires no storage obligations or contact attempts for landlords regarding abandoned property that tenants leave behind after vacating.

Key Takeaways for Michigan Lease Agreements

Benefits for Property Owners

In conclusion, Michigan’s landlord-friendly rental laws provide significant operational flexibility for property owners. Additionally, landlords benefit from no rent control restrictions, unlimited late fee structures, and minimal abandoned property obligations.

Tenant Protection Features

Similarly, tenants enjoy protections through comprehensive disclosure requirements, rent withholding rights for repair issues, and detailed security deposit procedures that ensure transparency.

Compliance and Success Factors

Therefore, understanding these Michigan lease agreement requirements helps both parties create successful rental relationships while maintaining compliance with state regulations that balance landlord flexibility with essential tenant protections.

Michigan Lease Agreement Legal Statutes

Mich. Comp. Laws § 125.530 – Certificate withheld; premises not to be occupied; conditions of issuance; suspension of rent payments, escrow; account for rent and possession
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.633 – Rental agreement; prohibited provisions or clauses; violation
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.201 – Untenantable building; surrender, liability of lessee for rent
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134(1) – Termination of estate at will or by sufferance or tenancy from year to year
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134(2) – Termination of estate at will or by sufferance or tenancy from year to year
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134(3) – Termination of estate at will or by sufferance or tenancy from year to year
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134(4) – Termination of estate at will or by sufferance or tenancy from year to year
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.139 – Lease or license of residential premises; covenants; modifications; liberal construction, inspection
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.601b – Tenant under apprehension of danger from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; release from rental payment obligation; written notice; content; documentation; forwarding information; liability of multiple tenants; applicability; remedies against other parties; definitions
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.602 – Security deposit; amount
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.603 – Security deposit; notice
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.604 – Security deposit, disposition; bond
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.607 – Security deposit; permissible uses
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.608 – Inventory checklists
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.608(4) – Inventory checklists
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 – Itemized list of damages; check or money order; contents of notice of damages
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.610 – Effect of noncompliance with notice of damages requirement
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.611 – Notice of forwarding address; effect of noncompliance
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.612 – Response to notice of damages
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.613 – Action for damages; retention of security deposit; waiver
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.634(1) – Rental agreement; mandatory statements
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2918(2)(c & d) – Damages for forcible entry and detainer; damages for unlawful interference with possessory interest; exceptions; opening of probate estate; forcible entry or possession by occupant; action for possession; claim for injunctive relief; joinder; waiver; commencement of action; limitations; “owner” defined
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2918(2)(f) – Damages for forcible entry and detainer; damages for unlawful interference with possessory interest; exceptions; opening of probate estate; forcible entry or possession by occupant; action for possession; claim for injunctive relief; joinder; waiver; commencement of action; limitations; “owner” defined
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2918(3)(b) – Damages for forcible entry and detainer; damages for unlawful interference with possessory interest; exceptions; opening of probate estate; forcible entry or possession by occupant; action for possession; claim for injunctive relief; joinder; waiver; commencement of action; limitations; “owner” defined
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2918(3)(c) – Damages for forcible entry and detainer; damages for unlawful interference with possessory interest; exceptions; opening of probate estate; forcible entry or possession by occupant; action for possession; claim for injunctive relief; joinder; waiver; commencement of action; limitations; “owner” defined
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2952 – Failure of maker to pay amount of dishonored check, draft, or order; liability; written demand for payment; delivery and text; effect of payment before trial; jurisdiction of action
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714 – Summary proceedings to recover possession of premises; holding over by tenant or occupant of public housing or by tenant of mobile home park
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5720 – Judgment for possession of premises for alleged termination of tenancy; grounds for not entering; retaliatory termination of tenancy; presumptions; burden
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5759 – Costs
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.8401 – Small claims division; creation; judge; jurisdiction
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(8) – Damages for breach of contract; specific performance; period of limitations; bond; deed; mortgage; surety bond; appeal bond; public obligations; other actions
Mich. Comp. Laws § 450.835 – Electronic Notices
Mich. Comp. Laws § 125.471 – Compliance

FAQs

In Michigan, a lease agreement must include several required disclosures such as the landlord’s identification, a notice for domestic violence victims, security deposit information, a Truth in Renting Act disclosure, an inventory checklist, and lead-based paint hazards if applicable. These disclosures ensure that both landlords and tenants are aware of their rights and obligations.

In Michigan, the maximum security deposit that a landlord can require is one and a half months’ rent. Additionally, landlords must provide a receipt for the security deposit within 14 days, and they are required to return the deposit within 30 days after the end of the tenancy, along with an itemized list of any damages if applicable.

Yes, a tenant in Michigan may withhold rent if the landlord fails to make necessary repairs after being notified. This right allows tenants to ensure that their living conditions remain habitable, as landlords are responsible for maintaining rental properties.

No, Michigan does not require a grace period for late rent payments. Landlords can specify late fees in the rental agreement, and there is no statutory limit on the amount of these fees.

The Michigan Truth in Renting Act establishes rights and obligations for both landlords and tenants in rental agreements. It requires landlords to provide specific disclosures and prohibits certain provisions in lease agreements, ensuring tenants are informed of their rights.

To terminate a month-to-month lease in Michigan, either party must provide one month’s notice. This allows both landlords and tenants to prepare for the end of the tenancy.

A tenant in Michigan who fears for their safety due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may break their lease and be relieved from rent obligations by providing a written statement. This is supported by specific statutory rights outlined in Michigan law.

Landlords in Michigan are required to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition. This includes making necessary repairs to ensure the safety and livability of the property for tenants.