Michigan (MI) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Michigan, serve a written notice (7 days for nonpayment of rent, 30 days for lease violations or end of tenancy), then file a Summary Proceedings complaint in District Court after the notice expires. The full process typically takes 3 to 8 weeks from notice to lockout, depending on the court's schedule and whether the tenant contests the case.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violation, illegal activity, end of tenancy |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 7 days (nonpayment of rent) |
| Where to file | District Court (county where property is located) |
| Filing fee | $45 to $150 (varies by county and claim amount) |
| Typical timeframe | 3 to 8 weeks |
Required before filing for nonpayment of rent; tenant can stop the eviction by paying in full within the 7-day window.
Used for health or safety code violations or criminal activity; no opportunity to cure is required.
Michigan's shortest notice, available only when a tenant engages in drug-related activity on the property and a police report exists.
Required for lease violations or to end a month-to-month tenancy; gives the tenant one month to vacate.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve the Required Written Notice | 1 to 30 days | Deliver the correct notice type in writing; the clock starts the day after the tenant receives it. |
| 2. File a Complaint in District Court | 1 to 2 days | File a Summary Proceedings complaint at the District Court in the county where the rental is located and pay the filing fee. |
| 3. Serve the Tenant with Court Summons | 3 days before hearing | The court issues a summons that must be served on the tenant at least 3 days before the scheduled hearing date. |
| 4. Attend the Court Hearing | 5 to 10 days after filing | Both parties appear; if the landlord wins, the judge issues a Judgment of Possession on the spot or within a few days. |
| 5. Wait Out the Post-Judgment Period | 10 days | After the judgment, the tenant has 10 days to vacate voluntarily before a writ can be requested. |
| 6. Request and Execute the Writ of Restitution | 1 to 7 days | If the tenant has not left, the court issues a Writ of Restitution and the county sheriff carries out the physical removal. |
Filing a Summary Proceedings complaint in Michigan typically costs $45 to $150 in court fees, with the exact amount depending on the county and whether you are also seeking a money judgment for unpaid rent. Add roughly $25 to $55 for service fees, and budget for the sheriff's lockout fee if needed, bringing the realistic all-in court cost to about $100 to $250 before any attorney fees.
After the court enters a Judgment of Possession, the tenant has 10 days to leave on their own. If they have not vacated by then, the landlord requests a Writ of Restitution from the court, and only the county sheriff is authorized to physically remove the tenant and their belongings. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities) is illegal in Michigan and exposes the landlord to damages of three times actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: MCL 600.5701 to 600.5759 (Summary Proceedings) and MCL 554.134 (Notice Requirements). Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Michigan eviction FAQ
Most uncontested Michigan evictions wrap up in **3 to 5 weeks** from the day notice is served. If the tenant contests the case, requests a continuance, or appeals, the total timeline can stretch to **8 weeks or longer**. The notice period (7 or 30 days) is usually the longest single segment.
Plan on roughly **$100 to $250** in court costs for a straightforward case, covering the filing fee ($45 to $150 depending on county and claim size) plus the service fee ($25 to $55). Hiring an attorney adds $500 to $1,500 or more, but is optional for landlords comfortable with the process.
No. Michigan strictly prohibits self-help eviction. A landlord cannot remove a tenant by changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting utilities without a court order. Every eviction must go through District Court, and only the sheriff can execute the final removal.
Evictions are filed in the **District Court** for the county where the rental property is located. The case is filed as a Summary Proceedings action under MCL 600.5701, which is designed to move faster than ordinary civil litigation.
Yes, for nonpayment cases. If the tenant pays all overdue rent within the **7-day notice period**, the eviction stops. For lease violations under a 30-day notice, curing the violation before the notice expires may also halt proceedings, though the landlord is not always required to accept a cure.
Revun screens tenants, automates rent reminders, and logs every notice, so fewer tenancies ever reach court.
