As used in this act: (a) 'Landlord' means: (i) the owner, lessor, or sublessor of a rental unit or the property of which it is a part; or (ii) a person authorized to exercise any aspect of the management of the premises, including a person that directly or indirectly acts as a rental agent or receives rent other than as a bona fide purchaser, and that has no obligation to deliver the receipts to another person. (b) 'Rental agreement' means an agreement that establishes or modifies the terms, conditions, rules, regulations, or any other provisions concerning the use and occupancy of a rental unit. (c) 'Rental unit' means a structure or part of a structure used as a home, residence, or sleeping unit by a single person or household unit, or any grounds or other facilities or area promised for the use of a residential tenant, including apartment units, boarding houses, rooming houses, mobile home spaces, and single and 2-family dwellings. (d) 'Security deposit' means a deposit in any amount paid by the tenant to the landlord to be held for the term of the rental agreement and includes any required prepayment of rent other than the first full rental period of the lease agreement. (e) 'Senior citizen housing' means housing for individuals 62 years of age or older subsidized in whole or in part under any local, state, or federal program. (f) 'Source of income' includes benefits or subsidy programs including housing assistance, housing choice vouchers under 42 USC 1437f, public assistance, veterans' benefits, Social Security, supplemental security income, and other programs administered by any federal, state, local, or nonprofit entity. (g) 'Tenant' means an individual who occupies a rental unit for residential purposes with the landlord's consent for an agreed upon consideration.
(1) A rental agreement shall provide that a tenant who has occupied a rental unit for more than 13 months may terminate a lease by a 60-day written notice to the landlord if 1 of the following occurs: (a) The tenant becomes eligible during the lease term to take possession of a subsidized rental unit in senior citizen housing and provides the landlord with written proof of that eligibility. (b) The tenant becomes incapable during the lease term of living independently, as certified by a physician in a notarized statement. (2) This section applies only to leases entered into, renewed, or renegotiated after the effective date of this section.
Sexual Assault
📄 View Official Source ↗
Effective: Tenants facing documented domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may terminate their rental obligation without penalty. The landlord has an affirmative obligation to protect the tenant's forwarding address from the alleged abuser. Remaining co-tenants are not released.
(1) A landlord shall not, based on the source of income of an otherwise eligible prospective or current tenant: (a) deny or terminate a tenancy; (b) make any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in price, terms, conditions, fees, or privileges relating to rental or occupancy; (c) otherwise make unavailable or deny any rental unit; (d) represent that a unit is unavailable when it is available; (e) discriminate based on a tenant's use of emergency rental assistance; (f) exclude any source of income in the form of a rent voucher or subsidy when calculating income criteria; (g) attempt to discourage a rental; (h) publish any notice indicating a preference or limitation based on source of income; (i) assist or coerce another person to commit a violation; or (j) coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person exercising rights under this section. (2) This section does not apply to a person who, including all related entities, is a landlord of fewer than 5 rental units in this state.
(1) A person alleging a violation of section 1c may bring a civil action for appropriate injunctive relief or damages, or both. 'Damages' means actual damages for injury or loss caused by each violation, or up to 3 times the monthly rent for the rental unit or units at issue, whichever is less, together with court costs and reasonable attorney fees. (2) An action may be brought in the circuit court for the county where the alleged violation occurred, or for the county where the person against whom the civil complaint is filed resides or where that person's principal place of business is located.
A landlord may require a security deposit for each rental unit. A security deposit shall be required and maintained in accordance with the terms of this act and shall not exceed 1 1/2 months' rent.
A landlord shall not require a security deposit unless the landlord notifies the tenant no later than 14 days from the date a tenant assumes possession in a written instrument of: the landlord's name and address for receipt of communications; the name and address of the financial institution or surety holding the deposit; and the tenant's obligation to provide a forwarding mailing address to the landlord within 4 days after termination of occupancy. The notice shall include the following statement in 12-point boldface type at least 4 points larger than the body of the notice or lease: '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.' Failure to provide the required information relieves the tenant of his obligation relative to notification of the landlord of his forwarding mailing address.
(1) The security deposit shall be deposited in a regulated financial institution. A landlord may use the money deposited for any purposes if the landlord deposits with the Secretary of State a cash bond or surety bond written by a surety company licensed in Michigan and acceptable to the attorney general to secure the entire deposits up to $50,000 and 25% of any amount exceeding $50,000. The attorney general may find a bond unacceptable based only upon reasonable criteria relating to the sufficiency of the bond and shall notify the landlord in writing of reasons for unacceptability. (2) The bond shall be for the benefit of persons making security deposits with the landlord. A person for whose benefit the bond is written or the person's legal representative may bring an action in the district, common pleas, or municipal court where the landlord resides or does business for collection on the bond.
For the purposes of this act and any litigation arising thereunder, the security deposit is considered the lawful property of the tenant until the landlord establishes a right to the deposit or portions thereof as long as the bond provision is fulfilled, the landlord may use this fund for any purposes the landlord desires.
The requirements of this act may not be waived by the parties to a rental agreement except as specifically provided herein.
A security deposit may be used only for the following purposes: (a) reimburse the landlord for actual damages to the rental unit or any ancillary facility that are the direct result of conduct not reasonably expected in the normal course of habitation of a dwelling; (b) pay the landlord for all rent in arrearage under the rental agreement, rent due for premature termination of the rental agreement by the tenant, and for utility bills not paid by the tenant.
(1) The landlord shall make use of inventory checklists both at the commencement and termination of occupancy for each rental unit for which a security deposit is required. (2) At the commencement of the lease, the landlord shall furnish the tenant 2 blank copies of a commencement inventory checklist identical to the form used for the termination inventory checklist. The checklist shall include all items in the rental unit owned by the landlord including but not limited to carpeting, draperies, appliances, windows, furniture, walls, closets, shelves, paint, doors, plumbing fixtures, and electrical fixtures. (3) Unless the landlord and tenant agree to complete the checklist within a shorter period, the tenant shall review the checklist, note the condition of the property, and return 1 copy to the landlord within 7 days after receiving possession of the premises. (4) The checklist shall contain the following notice in 12-point boldface type at the top of the first page: '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 also entitled to request and receive a copy of the last termination inventory checklist which shows what claims were chargeable to the last prior tenants.' (5) At the termination of the occupancy, the landlord shall complete a termination inventory checklist listing all the damages the landlord claims were caused by the tenant.
In case of damage to the rental unit or other obligation against the security deposit, the landlord shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, an itemized list of damages claimed for which the security deposit may be used as provided in section 7, including the estimated cost of repair of each property damaged item and the amounts and bases on which the landlord intends to assess the tenant. The list shall be accompanied by a check or money order for the difference between the damages claimed and the amount of the security deposit held and shall not include any damages that were claimed on a previous termination inventory checklist prior to the tenant's occupancy. The notice of damages shall include the following statement in 12-point boldface type at least 4 points larger than the body of the notice: 'You must respond to this notice by mail within 7 days after receipt of same, otherwise you will forfeit the amount claimed for damages.'
Failure by the landlord to comply with the notice of damages requirement within the 30 days after the termination of occupancy constitutes agreement by the landlord that no damages are due and the landlord shall remit to the tenant immediately the full security deposit.
The tenant shall notify the landlord in writing at the address given under section 3 within 4 days after termination of occupancy of an address at which communications pursuant to this act may be received. Failure to comply with this requirement relieves the landlord of the requirement of notice of damages but does not prejudice a tenant's subsequent claim for the security deposit.
If a landlord claims damages to a rental unit and gives notice of damages as required, the tenant upon receipt of the list of damages shall respond by ordinary mail to the address provided by the landlord within 7 days, indicating in detail the tenant's agreement or disagreement with the damage charges listed. For the purposes of this section the date of mailing shall be considered the date of the tenant's response.
(1) Within 45 days after termination of occupancy and not thereafter the landlord may commence an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for a money judgment for damages claimed, or in lieu thereof return the balance of the security deposit or any amount mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties. A landlord shall not be entitled to retain any portion of a security deposit for disputed damages unless the landlord has first obtained a money judgment for the disputed amount, or filed satisfactory proof of inability to obtain service on the tenant, or unless: (a) the tenant failed to provide a forwarding address as required by section 11; (b) the tenant failed to respond to the notice of damages as required by section 12; (c) the parties agreed in writing to the disposition of the balance; or (d) the amount claimed is entirely based upon accrued and unpaid rent for any full rental period or portion thereof during which the tenant had actual or constructive possession. (2) Failure of the landlord to comply fully with this section constitutes waiver of all claimed damages and makes the landlord liable to the tenant for double the amount of the security deposit retained.
Upon termination of a landlord's interest in a rental unit whether by sale, assignment, death, appointment of receiver, or otherwise, the landlord or the landlord's agent is liable with respect to the security deposit until the occurrence of any of the following: (a) transfer of the deposit to the landlord's successor in interest and written notification to the tenant by ordinary mail of the transfer and of the successor's name and address; (b) compliance with section 4 by the successor in interest; or (c) return of the security deposit to the tenant.
The attorney general or any affected individual may bring an action to enforce this act in a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where the defendant resides or does business.
This act takes effect April 1, 1973, and applies only to security deposits held pursuant to leases entered into, renewed, or renegotiated after April 1, 1973.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Truth in Renting Act'.
This act applies to a rental agreement for a dwelling unit used for residential purposes if the agreement is prepared by or on behalf of the landlord except that this act does not apply to an agreement the terms of which consist solely of: (a) the names of the parties; (b) a description or address of the premises; (c) the rental period; (d) the amount of rent; (e) the timing of payments; and (f) a signature line.
A rental agreement for residential premises shall not contain a provision that: (1) waives or alters a remedy available to a party when the rental unit is in a condition violating the covenants of fitness and habitability; (2) waives a right established under the security deposit laws; (3) unlawfully excludes or discriminates against a person in violation of civil rights laws; (4) provides for a confession of judgment or warrant of attorney; (5) relieves the landlord from liability for failure to perform a duty or for negligent performance of a duty imposed by law; (6) waives or alters a party's right to demand a jury trial or any other right of notice or procedure required by law; (7) provides that a party is liable for legal costs or attorney fees in excess of amounts specifically permitted by statute; (8) provides for the landlord to take a security interest in any of the tenant's personal property except as specifically permitted by statute; (9) provides for acceleration of rental payments upon a lease violation unless the amount is determined by the court; (10) waives or alters a party's right with respect to possession or eviction proceedings; (11) releases a party from the duty to mitigate damages; (12) provides that the landlord may alter a lease provision after the lease begins without the tenant's written consent, except that with 30 days' written notice the landlord may make changes required by law, changes in rules relating to health, safety, and peaceful enjoyment, and changes in rental payment amounts to cover increases in property taxes, utilities, or property insurance premiums if the lease contains a clause permitting such adjustments; (13) violates the Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.901 to 445.922; or (14) requires the tenant to give the landlord a power of attorney.
Each rental agreement subject to this act shall state in a prominent place in at least 12-point boldface type the following notice: '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.'
If a rental agreement contains a provision prohibited by this act or fails to include a provision required by this act, and the landlord is notified in writing of the deficiency by the tenant, the landlord has 20 days after written notice to remove or correct the prohibited provision or to add the required provision. Failure by the landlord to make the correction within 20 days of written notice subjects the landlord to the remedies available under section 636.
If a landlord fails to correct a prohibited provision or to add a required provision within the 20-day period after written notice from the tenant, the tenant may bring an action to: (1) void the entire lease agreement and terminate the tenancy; (2) require the landlord to remove the prohibited provision from or add the required provision to all lease agreements in which it is included; and (3) recover $250 per action for each prohibited provision, or $500 per action for each missing required disclosure provision, or actual damages, whichever is greater.
(1) In every lease or license of residential premises, the lessor or licensor covenants: (a) that the premises and all common areas are fit for the use intended by the parties; (b) to keep the premises in reasonable repair during the term of the lease or license, and to comply with the applicable health and safety laws of the state and of the local unit of government where the premises are located, except when the disrepair or violation of the applicable health or safety laws has been caused by the tenant's willful or irresponsible conduct or lack of conduct. (2) The parties to a lease or license may modify the duty to repair imposed under subsection (1)(b) only if the lease or license has a current term of at least 1 year.
(1) A person may recover possession of premises by summary proceedings: (a) when a tenant holds over after the expiration of the term of the lease under which the premises are held; (b) when a tenant holds over after termination of the tenancy by notice as provided in this act; (c) when a tenant fails to pay the rent when due; (d) when a tenant has committed waste upon the premises; (e) when a tenant has unlawfully held over after voluntary surrender; (f) when a tenant or person holding under the tenant has violated a statutory or lease condition and the lease provides for re-entry or termination upon such violation; (g) for drug-related activity on the premises; (h) when a person holds over after the person's rights of possession have terminated pursuant to an action for possession by the owner. (2) The statutory conditions for summary proceedings for nonpayment of rent require a written demand for payment or possession served on the tenant. (3) For drug activity evictions under (1)(g) the landlord must file a formal police report.
The notice to quit or demand for possession must: (1) be in writing; (2) be addressed to the tenant; (3) describe the rental property—an address is sufficient; (4) give the reason for eviction; (5) state the time for the tenant to take remedial action; (6) include the landlord's signature; and (7) include the date. An oral demand for possession or rent will not be recognized by the court.
Once the eviction notice is prepared, it must be delivered to the tenant by: (1) personal delivery to the tenant; (2) delivery at the rental property to a member of the tenant's household of suitable age with a request that it be delivered to the tenant; (3) first-class mail addressed to the tenant; or (4) electronic service if the tenant has specifically consented in writing to electronic service and confirmation has been sent and affirmatively replied to by the tenant. If delivered personally, the notice period begins the next day. If mailed, the notice period begins the next mail delivery day.
The minimum notice period before the landlord may file suit depends on the ground for eviction: (1) 24-HOUR NOTICE: illegal drug activity on the premises with a formal police report filed and a lease provision allowing termination for such conduct. (2) 7-DAY NOTICE: nonpayment of rent; extensive and continuing physical injury to property; serious and continuing health hazard; physical violence or threat of violence to another person with a formal police report filed. (3) 30-DAY NOTICE: violation of a lease provision where the lease allows termination; forceful entry or peaceful entry with forceful stay or trespass; holding over after natural expiration of the lease term; just cause for terminating a mobile home park tenant; just cause for terminating a government-subsidized housing tenant.
The landlord must file a Complaint and Summons with the district court. The Complaint must include: (1) a description of the rental property; (2) the reason(s) for eviction; (3) a demand for a jury trial if the landlord wants one; (4) if rent or other money is due, the rental period and rate, the amount due when the Complaint was filed, and the dates payments became due; and (5) allegations that the landlord has kept the residential rental property fit for use and in reasonable repair. The following must be attached to the Complaint: a copy of the eviction notice and a copy of the lease unless the tenancy was oral. The Summons and Complaint must be served on the tenant by mail and one additional method: personal service, certified mail return-receipt restricted delivery, delivery to a household member of suitable age, or after diligent attempts at personal service by posting to the main entrance of the unit.
Unless the law provides differently, the court cannot issue an Order of Eviction (Writ of Eviction) for at least 10 days after judgment. The 10-day period allows the tenant time to cure by paying the rent owed if nonpayment was the ground for eviction, to appeal, or to make other arrangements. Issuance of the writ must occur within 56 days after judgment and must be executed no later than 56 days after the writ is issued. A Writ of Eviction may be issued immediately without the 10-day waiting period in the following circumstances: (a) the premises are government-subsidized housing and a required certificate of compliance has not been issued and the premises have been ordered vacated; (b) possession is unlawfully held by force after peaceful entry; (c) the tenant is willfully or negligently causing a serious health hazard or extensive injury to the premises and is refusing to vacate or repair; (d) the eviction is based on illegal drug activity.
A landlord shall not by force, or otherwise, enter upon or take possession of the premises or any part of the premises except through legal proceedings.
(1) In any action for possession of a premises, or for an increase in rent, or in any action for damages based upon termination of a lease, it is a defense that the landlord commenced such action or increased the rent within 90 days after the tenant sought to enforce, or indicated an intent to enforce, any rights under the lease, the health and safety laws of the state or local government, the landlord's duty to repair under MCL 554.139, or the tenant's right of organization and collective action. (2) A presumption of retaliation arises if the landlord initiated the eviction or rent increase within the 90-day period. The landlord may rebut this presumption by a preponderance of the evidence that the eviction or rent increase was not in retaliation for the tenant's protected activity.
In addition to a judgment for possession, the court may enter a money judgment for rent due and unpaid, damages to the rental unit beyond reasonable wear and tear, unpaid utility bills the tenant was responsible for, and any other damages flowing from the tenant's violation of the lease. The money judgment may be collected by garnishment of wages, bank accounts, and tax refunds, and by execution against the tenant's personal property. A money judgment may appear on the tenant's credit report.
If the judgment for the landlord in a summary proceeding is based solely on nonpayment of rent, the tenant may redeem the premises by paying the amount of rent due plus costs of the action within 10 days of the entry of judgment. Full payment within the 10-day period stops the issuance of the Writ of Eviction. Partial payment does not satisfy the redemption right.
(1) Any person who is denied the right to possession of premises by means of a forcible entry or forcible detainer, or by means of a forcible act of exclusion, shall have a cause of action for damages. (2) In an action under this section the court may award actual damages, statutory damages of up to 3 times the monthly rent, and reasonable attorney fees. (3) The landlord's conduct of changing locks, removing the tenant's property, shutting off utilities, or other acts that interfere with the tenant's right to possession without a court order constitutes an unlawful interference with the tenancy.
A lease agreement for a term longer than 1 year must be in writing to be enforceable under the Statute of Frauds. An oral lease for a term exceeding 1 year is not enforceable as a fixed-term lease. If the parties act under an oral lease that would require writing and the tenant occupies the premises and pays rent, which the landlord accepts, the tenancy is treated as a month-to-month tenancy.
A tenancy from year to year may be terminated by either party by giving notice to the other party at least 1 year or 6 months before the expiration of the tenancy as agreed upon by the parties. A tenancy from month to month may be terminated by either party by giving 1 month's notice before the expiration of the month. A tenancy at will may be terminated by either party by giving 1 month's notice to the other party. Notice for termination of a tenancy for a term of less than 1 month shall be equal to the period of the tenancy.
The parties to a lease or license may modify the duty to repair imposed under subsection (1)(b) only if the lease or license has a current term of at least 1 year. The duty under subsection (1)(a) that the premises and common areas be fit for the use intended by the parties cannot be modified by agreement regardless of lease term.
Landlords must comply with all applicable municipal, county, and state housing codes and ordinances. Most Michigan municipalities have adopted housing codes establishing minimum habitability standards above the state baseline. Many municipalities require rental property inspections and licenses before tenants may occupy. Landlords who fail to comply with local housing codes may be subject to fines, required repairs, and may lose the ability to collect rent during periods of code non-compliance.
A release of rental obligation under the domestic violence early termination provision does not apply to prepaid amounts, including but not limited to prepayment of first and last months' rent. A release of rental obligation does not take effect before the tenant vacates the premises. Nothing in this section shall prevent a landlord from withholding security deposits pursuant to section 13(1)(d) of Act 348 of 1972, which permits retention for accrued and unpaid rent.
The small claims division of the district court has jurisdiction over civil claims not exceeding $7,000. Landlord-tenant disputes including security deposit claims, claims for rent, and claims for property damage may be brought in small claims court if the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,000. Attorneys are not permitted to represent parties in small claims proceedings. The small claims court decision is final and not appealable to a higher court, although a judge may reopen the case on petition. If a case is heard by an attorney magistrate, either party may appeal.
This section does not apply to a person if the person, including all related entities to that person, is a landlord of fewer than 5 rental units in this state. As used in this subsection: (a) 'Person' means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, limited liability company, or any other legal entity. (b) 'Related entity' means a person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another person.
The following is a summary of the mandatory security deposit timeline in Michigan: Move-in: Landlord must provide 2 blank inventory checklists. Within 7 days of move-in: Tenant must complete and return 1 checklist to landlord (parties may agree to shorter period). Within 14 days of move-in: Landlord must provide written notice of landlord's name/address, financial institution holding deposit, and tenant's duty to provide forwarding address within 4 days of move-out. Move-out: Landlord must complete termination inventory checklist. Within 4 days of move-out: Tenant must provide written forwarding address to landlord. Within 30 days of move-out: Landlord must mail itemized list of damages with required statutory notice OR return the full deposit. Within 7 days of receiving itemized list: Tenant must respond by ordinary mail disputing or accepting each charge. Within 45 days of move-out: Landlord must file suit for disputed damages or forfeit the right to retain them and faces double-damages liability.
The eviction process in Michigan follows this general timeline: Day 1: Incident giving rise to eviction occurs. Days 1-7 or 1-30: Landlord serves proper written notice to quit (24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days depending on grounds). After notice period expires: Landlord files Summons and Complaint with district court if issue is not resolved. Within 10 days of filing: Court sets hearing date (generally 7-14 days from filing). At hearing: Both parties present evidence. After judgment for landlord: 10-day waiting period before Writ of Eviction may be issued (except for immediate-issuance grounds). After 10-day period: Landlord requests Writ of Eviction. Sheriff executes writ and physically removes tenant. Total timeline: as few as 21 days or as many as 57 days from initial notice to physical removal of tenant.
When a landlord fails to maintain the rental unit in compliance with MCL 554.139, a tenant may: (1) Notify the landlord in writing of the needed repair and provide reasonable time to fix the problem. (2) Contact the local building inspector and request an inspection. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord pays the inspection fee; if it passes, the tenant may owe the fee. (3) Withhold rent by depositing it into an escrow account (a bank account in the tenant's name held by a third party) with written notice to the landlord by certified mail explaining the reason for withholding, where the funds are deposited, and that funds will be released upon repair. The amount withheld must reasonably relate to the cost of repair or the damage to the tenant. (4) Alternatively, pay for the repair and deduct the cost from the next rent payment, after obtaining at least 3 written estimates and providing copies to the landlord. (5) Assert the landlord's breach of the habitability covenant as a defense to an eviction action for nonpayment of the withheld rent.
A tenant may sublease the rental unit only if the original lease permits subletting or the landlord gives consent. The original tenant remains fully liable to the landlord for all obligations under the original lease including rent, utilities, and damage throughout the sublease term. The subtenant is bound by the terms of the original lease. If the original tenant collects a security deposit from the subtenant, the original tenant must comply with all security deposit procedures under Act 348 of 1972 as if the original tenant were the landlord. Repair requests from the subtenant technically must be made through the original tenant to the landlord unless the landlord has agreed to deal directly with the subtenant. An assignment differs from a sublease in that an assignment transfers the entire remaining term; a sublease transfers less than the entire term or a portion of the premises.
Michigan recognizes three types of residential tenancies: (1) Fixed-Term Tenancy: Created when the lease specifies a start and end date. Terminates automatically at the end of the specified period. If the tenant holds over and the landlord accepts rent, the tenancy generally converts to a month-to-month tenancy unless the lease provides otherwise. (2) Periodic Tenancy (Tenancy at Will): Month-to-month or week-to-week tenancy created by actual or implied consent and indefinite in duration. Terminates upon proper written notice equal to one rental period (MCL 554.134). (3) Tenancy at Sufferance (Holdover): Created when a tenant remains after the legal right to possession has ended without the landlord's consent. The tenant is just short of a trespasser and may be evicted by summary proceedings.
Michigan residential rental housing is subject to: (1) The federal Fair Housing Act (42 USC 3601 et seq.) prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. (2) The Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.2101 et seq.) prohibiting discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status. (3) The Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.1101 et seq.) prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities, including the duty to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications. (4) MCL 554.601c prohibiting source-of-income discrimination by landlords with 5 or more rental units (effective April 2, 2025). Landlords must also allow service animals and emotional support animals as reasonable accommodations regardless of no-pet policies.
Michigan residential leases should include or be accompanied by: (1) Landlord's name and address for receipt of communications (required by MCL 554.603). (2) Name and address of the financial institution or surety holding the security deposit (required by MCL 554.603). (3) Notice of tenant's duty to provide forwarding address within 4 days of move-out in 12-point boldface type (required by MCL 554.603). (4) Two blank copies of the inventory checklist at move-in (required by MCL 554.608). (5) The Truth in Renting Act notice in 12-point boldface type stating tenant and landlord rights and obligations (required by MCL 554.634). (6) A statement that the landlord's mailing address is provided for receipt of notices. Additional recommended provisions: the amount of security deposit, rental period, utility responsibility allocation, pet and smoking policies, entry notice procedures, and maintenance responsibilities.
🔍 Tenant Screening in Michigan
Understanding Michigan's landlord-tenant law is the foundation of good property management.
The next step is screening tenants before they sign the lease — before these laws ever need to be invoked.
Learn About Tenant Screening in Michigan →
📄 Legal Forms for Michigan Landlords
State-specific forms drafted by attorneys. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Underground Landlord — Michigan Landlord-Tenant Law Resource
