Montcalm County is a west-central Michigan county of approximately 66,614 residents situated within the Grand Rapids metropolitan statistical area. The county seat is Stanton, a small village at the county’s center, while the largest city — Greenville (~8,500) — functions as the county’s economic and commercial hub approximately 30 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. Montcalm County is predominantly agricultural and manufacturing-based, with a significant portion of its workforce commuting to the Grand Rapids metro area. The county’s median household income of approximately $64,892 reflects its working-class character with proximity to the Grand Rapids economy. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 64B District Court at 617 N. State Street, Stanton, MI 48888, Civil Division phone (989) 831-7452. Important: Effective October 1, 2024, ALL civil filings — including non-attorney filers — must be submitted electronically through MiFILE. Physical filings are no longer accepted.
Manufacturing, agriculture, Grand Rapids commuters
Landlord Rating
7/10 — Affordable Rural/Exurban Market
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Demand for Possession
Lease Violation Notice
30-Day Notice to Quit
Court
64B DC — 617 N. State St., Stanton
Court Phone (Civil)
(989) 831-7452
MiFILE
ALL filers must e-file (eff. Oct. 1, 2024)
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:00pm
Montcalm County Local Regulations
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Michigan state law governs all residential rental matters.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Municipalities including Greenville, Stanton, Carson City, and Lakeview maintain local property standards. Michigan state law is the governing framework for all residential rental matters.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Montcalm County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5× monthly rent (MCL 554.602). Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized list or face double-damages liability (MCL 554.613).
⚠️ MiFILE E-Filing Required for All
Effective October 1, 2024, ALL civil case filings must be submitted electronically through MiFILE. This applies to non-attorney filers as well as attorneys. Physical filings are no longer accepted at the 64B District Court. This is a more expansive MiFILE mandate than at most Michigan district courts, which typically require e-filing only from attorneys. Self-represented landlords must create a MiFILE account at courts.michigan.gov to file evictions.
Eviction Diversion Program
The 64B District Court is developing an Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) aimed at connecting tenants behind on rent with temporary rental assistance, preventing needless evictions. Contact the Court clerk at (989) 831-7452 for current EDP status and availability.
Grand Rapids Commuter Market
Montcalm County lies within the Grand Rapids MSA. Greenville and Howard City function as affordable housing markets for workers commuting to Grand Rapids (30–45 minutes). These commuter tenants typically have stable Grand Rapids-area employment and tend to be reliable long-term renters seeking lower cost housing than the Grand Rapids market offers.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Montcalm County Courthouse
64B District Court — MiFILE required for ALL filers
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Michigan
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State statutes that apply throughout Montcalm 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.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Michigan landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Michigan —
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
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
Ready to File?
Generate Michigan-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Michigan requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ 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 Montcalm County
Cities, villages, and townships
Greenville Stanton Carson City Lakeview Howard City
Montcalm County
Screen Before You Sign
Grand Rapids commuters and manufacturing workers are the most stable applicants. MiFILE required for ALL filers since Oct. 1, 2024 — create an account before filing. EDP assistance may be available through the court.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Montcalm County, Michigan
Montcalm County sits in a geographic middle ground — rural enough to retain its agricultural and manufacturing character, but close enough to Grand Rapids (the county’s largest city, Greenville, is approximately 30 miles northeast) to participate meaningfully in the Grand Rapids metropolitan economy. This proximity shapes the county’s rental market in important ways: Montcalm County offers significantly more affordable housing than Grand Rapids and its inner ring suburbs, and a portion of its tenant population consists of Grand Rapids metro workers choosing lower housing costs over shorter commutes. The county’s seat is Stanton, a small village of fewer than 1,500 residents at the county’s geographic center, while Greenville (~8,500) functions as the commercial and industrial hub. Major employers in Greenville and the county include manufacturing plants serving the West Michigan economy, Spectrum Health Greenville Hospital, and the county’s agricultural sector.
The MiFILE Mandate: A Critical Filing Distinction
Montcalm County’s 64B District Court has adopted one of the more expansive MiFILE mandates in Michigan. Effective October 1, 2024, under local administrative order 2024-03, ALL civil case filings must be submitted electronically through MiFILE — this applies to non-attorney filers as well as attorneys. At most Michigan district courts, MiFILE is required only from attorneys; the 64B’s mandate extends to self-represented litigants. Self-represented landlords must create a MiFILE account at courts.michigan.gov before filing an eviction. Physical filings at the courthouse are no longer accepted. The court is located at 617 N. State Street, Stanton, MI 48888; Civil Division: (989) 831-7452; Criminal/Traffic: (989) 831-7450; hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The 64B District Court is also developing an Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) connecting tenants with rental assistance to prevent needless evictions — contact the court clerk for current status. 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 Montcalm County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the 64B District Court or a licensed Michigan attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
