Michigan (MI) law guide
Quick answer
Michigan caps security deposits at 1.5 months' rent and requires landlords to return them within 30 days of move-out. There is no statewide rent control -- landlords may raise rent to any amount with proper notice. For nonpayment of rent, landlords must give tenants a 7-day demand for possession before filing for eviction.
Security deposit limit
1.5x one month's rent
Deposit return deadline
30 days after move-out
Statewide rent control
None -- prohibited by MCL 123.1102
Nonpayment eviction notice
7-day demand for possession
Michigan rental market snapshot
Population
10.1 million
Renter households
~28% statewide; 45%+ in Detroit and Grand Rapids
Median rent
About $1,500/mo for a 2-bedroom (2025)
Largest rental markets
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint
Detroit and Grand Rapids lead rental demand, with 2-bedroom units averaging $1,400 to $1,700. Statewide rents have risen steadily since 2022 but remain well below the national average.
Michigan landlords may charge a maximum security deposit of 1.5 months' rent (MCL 554.602). The deposit must be held in a regulated financial institution, and the tenant must receive written notice of the bank name and address within 14 days of moving in.
Landlords have 30 days after the tenant moves out and provides a forwarding address to return the deposit or deliver an itemized deduction list. Missing that deadline means the landlord forfeits the right to keep any portion of the deposit.
Michigan has no statewide rent control. Public Act 226 of 1988 (MCL 123.1102) bars cities and counties from capping rent, so landlords may charge any amount. However, notice is required before any mid-lease increase.
For tenants on a month-to-month lease, landlords must give at least 30 days' notice for rent increases. No state law caps late fees, but fees must be stated in the written lease to be enforceable.
For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must first serve a written 7-day demand for possession (DC 100a form). If the tenant pays in full within 7 days, the eviction is stopped. If not, the landlord may file a summary proceeding in district court.
For lease violations other than nonpayment, the notice period is 30 days. Courts cannot issue a writ of eviction for at least 10 days after a judgment, giving the tenant a final window to appeal or comply.
Michigan does not set a specific statutory entry-notice period, but 24 hours' notice is the widely accepted reasonable standard under case law and practice. No notice is required in a genuine emergency.
Under MCL 554.139, landlords must keep the rental fit for habitation. Emergency repairs (no heat, gas leak) require attention within 24 hours. Major habitability repairs (broken plumbing, structural issues) should be completed within 7 days. Minor repairs typically fall within a reasonable time, often 30 days.
Michigan's implied warranty of habitability (MCL 554.139) requires every rental to have working heat, plumbing, and structural integrity. Tenants may withhold rent into an escrow account or repair and deduct costs after giving written notice and allowing reasonable time for the landlord to fix the problem.
Retaliation by a landlord -- such as raising rent or starting eviction after a tenant files a complaint -- is illegal under MCL 600.5720. A tenant who proves retaliation may recover actual damages and attorney fees.
Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the federal Fair Housing Act prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, and -- under state law -- marital status and age. Violations can be filed with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights or in court.
A tenant may break a lease early without penalty for active military duty (under federal SCRA), domestic violence, or if the landlord materially breaches the warranty of habitability. Michigan small claims court handles disputes up to $7,000 -- no attorney required.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 554.601-554.616 (security deposits); MCL 554.139 (habitability); MCL 600.5714 (eviction). Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-05.
Michigan FAQ
Michigan caps security deposits at **1.5 months' rent** under MCL 554.602. A landlord renting at $1,200/month can collect no more than $1,800 as a deposit.
**30 days** after the tenant moves out and provides a forwarding address. If the landlord misses the deadline, they forfeit the right to withhold any portion of the deposit and may owe the tenant double the withheld amount.
No. Michigan law (MCL 123.1102) explicitly bans statewide and local rent control, so landlords can raise rent to any amount. They must give at least **30 days' written notice** before increasing rent on a month-to-month tenancy.
Michigan has no fixed statutory entry-notice requirement, but **24 hours' advance notice** is the accepted reasonable standard. No notice is needed in a true emergency such as a fire or gas leak.
The landlord must first serve a **7-day demand for possession**. If the tenant does not pay or vacate, the landlord can file in district court. A hearing is typically scheduled within 10 to 14 days, and the court cannot issue a writ of eviction for at least 10 days after judgment -- so the full process commonly takes **4 to 6 weeks** from first notice to removal.
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