Michigan

Rental Lease Laws Overview

Michigan does not have statewide rent control laws, and there is no statutory limit on late fees. While landlords may include late fees in the rental agreement, there is no mandated grace period for rent payments. Additionally, landlords are not required to hold a license.

Required Lease Disclosures

Michigan law mandates specific disclosures in lease agreements:

Identification

The lease must include the landlord’s name and the address for sending legal notices.

Domestic Violence Victims Notice

A statement must be included indicating that tenants who fear for their safety due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may have the right to break their lease. The required statement is:

“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 Notice

If a security deposit is required, the landlord must provide written notice including the landlord’s name and address, the name of the financial institution holding the deposit, and a security deposit receipt. The notice must contain the following 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.”

Truth in Renting Act Disclosure

A notification about the Michigan Truth in Renting Act must be included, which outlines rights and obligations for rental agreements. The statement must be 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.”

Inventory Checklist

Landlords must provide a rental inspection checklist, which the tenant must review and return within one week. The checklist must include the following 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.“

Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards

For properties built before 1978, landlords must provide a lead-based paint disclosure prior to occupancy, as required by federal law.

Security Deposit

The maximum amount for a security deposit cannot exceed one and a half months’ rent. Landlords are required to provide a receipt for the security deposit within 14 days, including the institution’s name and address. Interest payments on security deposits are not required, and deposits must be kept in a regulated financial institution. Landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenancy ends, and if any amount is withheld, an itemized list of damages must be provided.

Rent Payments

Rent must be paid on the due date specified in the lease agreement. There are no statewide rent control laws in Michigan, and landlords can include late fees in the rental agreement without a statutory limit. There is no grace period required by law. Tenants may withhold rent if the landlord fails to make necessary repairs after notice.

Landlord Right of Entry

While there is no specific state law regarding notice for landlord entry, it is recommended that landlords provide 24 to 48 hours’ notice before entering the property. Changing locks without a court order is illegal.

Property Repairs

Landlords are required to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition. Tenants may repair and deduct costs from rent if the landlord fails to make necessary repairs. There is no specific state law regarding abandonment, but landlords can evict tenants if rent is unpaid and the property is believed to be abandoned.

Terminating a Lease

For month-to-month tenancies, either party can terminate the lease with one month’s notice. Michigan law does not require landlords to store or attempt to contact tenants regarding abandoned property.

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