Monroe County is Michigan’s southernmost county, situated along Lake Erie on the Ohio border with approximately 154,809 residents. The county seat and largest city is Monroe (~20,177), which sits approximately 20 miles north of Toledo, Ohio — closer to Toledo than to Detroit — making it part of a unique tri-state labor market drawing employment from southeast Michigan, northwest Ohio, and Ontario. The county is named for President James Monroe and contains the site of the 1813 Battle of the River Raisin, the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812 on United States soil. Today’s economy rests on manufacturing (20.5% of employment), healthcare, and retail, anchored by the La-Z-Boy global headquarters in Monroe and the DTE Energy Fermi 2 nuclear generating station on Lake Erie. Monroe County’s 81.7% homeownership rate indicates a predominantly owner-occupied market; Monroe city renters pay a median of approximately $898 per month. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 1st District Court at 106 E. First Street, Monroe, MI 48161, phone (734) 240-7090.
Michigan’s southernmost county; 20 mi from Toledo, OH
Landlord Rating
7/10 — Stable Industrial Market
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Demand for Possession
Lease Violation Notice
30-Day Notice to Quit
Court
1st DC — 106 E. First St., 2nd Fl., Monroe
Court Phone
(734) 240-7090
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:45pm
Avg Timeline
21–57 days start to finish
Monroe County Local Regulations
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Michigan state law governs all residential rental matters.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
The City of Monroe maintains a Rental Properties Ordinance governing registration and maintenance standards for rental units within city limits. Landlords with City of Monroe rental properties should obtain the applicable ordinance from Monroe City Hall. No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances otherwise apply.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Monroe County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5× monthly rent (MCL 554.602). At the Monroe city median rent of ~$898, maximum deposits run approximately $1,347. Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized list or face double-damages liability (MCL 554.613).
1st District Court Filing Note
All Monroe County landlord-tenant evictions file with the 1st District Court. The clerk’s office is on the 2nd floor of the Monroe County Courthouse at 106 East First Street, Monroe, MI 48161. Email and faxed filings are not accepted. File in person or by mail (money orders and cashier’s checks only).
Rental Properties Ordinance
The City of Monroe requires registration of rental properties under its Rental Properties Ordinance. Failure to register or comply with city housing standards may affect a landlord’s ability to enforce lease terms. Landlords with city-of-Monroe properties should verify current registration requirements with Monroe’s Neighborhood Services Department.
Source-of-Income (MCL 554.601c)
Effective April 2, 2025, Michigan prohibits source-of-income discrimination in rental housing at properties with 5 or more units statewide, including Monroe County. Landlords may not refuse to rent, require different terms, or otherwise discriminate based on a tenant’s lawful source of income (including housing vouchers). Violations carry civil remedies of actual damages or 3× monthly rent, plus attorney fees (MCL 554.601d).
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Monroe County Courthouse
1st District Court — 2nd Floor; no email/fax filings
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Michigan
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State statutes that apply throughout Monroe County
⚡ Quick Overview
7
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
7-30
Days Notice (Violation)
30-60
Avg Total Days
$45-150
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type7-Day Demand for Possession
Notice Period7 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay full rent within 7 days to stop eviction. After judgment, tenant has 10 business days to pay judgment amount or vacate.
Days to Hearing10-30 days
Days to Writ10 days
Total Estimated Timeline30-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$200-$600
⚠️ Watch Out
Notice period matches rent payment schedule (7 days for monthly tenants). Use official form DC 100a. After judgment, tenant gets 10 business days to pay judgment amount or move - if paid within 10 days, case over. Consent judgments can be set aside within 3 days if tenant was unrepresented. Corporations/partnerships must have attorney. 24-hour notice for illegal drug activity (with police report).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court - Summary Proceedings. Pay the filing fee (~$45-150).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Michigan eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Michigan attorney or local legal aid organization.
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including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Michigan's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
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Ready to File?
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Communities in Monroe County
City, villages, and townships
Monroe Dundee Flat Rock Milan Luna Pier
Monroe County
Screen Before You Sign
La-Z-Boy and DTE Energy workers are the most stable applicants. Commuters to Detroit/Wayne County and Toledo are common. Verify City of Monroe rental registration for city properties. No email/fax filings at the 1st DC.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Monroe County, Michigan
Monroe County is Michigan’s southernmost county, and its geographic position defines its character: wedged between the Detroit metro to the north, the Ohio state line to the south, and Lake Erie to the east, Monroe County is a genuine borderland that draws from multiple states’ labor markets and cultural influences. The city of Monroe, the county seat, is approximately 20 miles from Toledo, Ohio — closer to Toledo than to Detroit by a significant margin. Toledo’s University of Toledo, Owens Community College, and Ohio employment opportunities are all accessible to Monroe County residents, and a meaningful portion of the county’s workforce holds Ohio jobs. Monroe County’s industrial heritage runs deep: it was the site of the Battle of the River Raisin in 1813, the bloodiest engagement of the War of 1812 in U.S. territory, and by the 20th century it had become an auto-industry and manufacturing center serving the broader Detroit metro economy.
Major Employers and the Rental Market
Monroe County’s anchor employers give it a stable if unglamorous economic foundation. La-Z-Boy Incorporated — the iconic American furniture company founded in Monroe in 1927 — maintains its global headquarters in Monroe, employing several thousand people and sustaining a management and engineering workforce that represents the upper income tier of the local rental market. DTE Energy’s Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station (Fermi 2), situated on the Lake Erie shoreline in Frenchtown Township approximately midway between Detroit and Toledo, employs skilled nuclear operations workers who are among Monroe County’s highest-paid tenants. Manufacturing more broadly (20.5% of employment) and healthcare round out the county’s stable year-round employment base. Monroe city renters pay a median of approximately $898 per month, making it an accessible rental market for working-class and middle-income applicants.
The 1st District Court and City Rental Ordinance
Monroe County landlord-tenant evictions file with the 1st District Court at 106 E. First Street, Monroe, MI 48161, phone (734) 240-7090, fax (734) 240-7098. The clerk’s office is on the 2nd floor of the courthouse. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Email and faxed filings are not accepted. The City of Monroe maintains a Rental Properties Ordinance requiring registration of rental properties within city limits; landlords with Monroe city properties should verify current registration requirements with the city’s Neighborhood Services Department. Michigan’s 2025 source-of-income law (MCL 554.601c, eff. April 2, 2025) prohibits discrimination based on housing vouchers and other lawful income sources at properties with 5+ units. Security deposit compliance is standard Michigan: 1.5× maximum, 30-day return with itemized list, double damages for noncompliance.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Monroe County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the 1st District Court or a licensed Michigan attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
