Oceana County is a small Lake Michigan shoreline county of approximately 26,659 residents in west-central Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The county seat and largest incorporated community is Hart. Oceana County is distinctive for its agricultural identity — it has historically been called the “Asparagus Capital of the World,” and fruit and vegetable farming remain significant economic activities. The county has a notable Hispanic or Latino population of approximately 15.4%, largely consisting of agricultural workers and their families who have established permanent communities in the county. Key tourism assets include the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Pentwater on Lake Michigan, and a substantial number of summer cottage and vacation properties. The county median household income is approximately $63,624, with a median rent of approximately $761 — one of the lower figures in west Michigan. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 79th District Court at 100 S. State Street, Suite L-15, Hart, MI 49420, phone (231) 873-4530.
Asparagus Capital; Silver Lake Sand Dunes; 15.4% Hispanic
Landlord Rating
7/10 — Affordable Rural/Ag Market
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Demand for Possession
Lease Violation Notice
30-Day Notice to Quit
Court
79th DC — 100 S. State St., Ste L-15, Hart
Court Phone
(231) 873-4530
Note
79th DC also serves Mason County (Ludington)
Avg Timeline
21–57 days start to finish
Oceana 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. The City of Hart and individual villages maintain local property standards. Michigan state law governs all landlord-tenant matters countywide.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Oceana County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5× monthly rent (MCL 554.602). At the county median rent of ~$761, maximum deposits run approximately $1,142. Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized list or face double-damages liability (MCL 554.613).
79th DC Serves Mason & Oceana
The 79th District Court serves both Oceana County (Hart) and Mason County (Ludington). The Oceana County location at 100 S. State Street, Suite L-15, Hart (231-873-4530) is the correct filing address for all Oceana County landlord-tenant evictions. Mason County cases file at the Ludington location (304 E. Ludington Ave.). Do not confuse the two.
Agricultural Worker Context
Oceana County has a substantial agricultural worker population (approximately 15.4% Hispanic). Farm worker tenants may face seasonal employment fluctuations. Michigan law requires the same notice procedures and eviction process regardless of a tenant’s occupation or national origin. Michigan’s Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in rental housing based on national origin and other protected characteristics.
Seasonal Rentals
Oceana County has a significant seasonal and vacation rental component, particularly in Pentwater, Silver Lake area, and along US-31 near Lake Michigan. Use explicit fixed-term leases for seasonal arrangements. Tenants holding over after seasonal lease expiration require formal eviction proceedings.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Oceana County Courthouse
79th District Court — Hart, MI
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Michigan
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State statutes that apply throughout Oceana 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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⚠️ 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 Oceana County
City, villages, and townships
Hart Shelby Pentwater New Era Rothbury
Oceana County
Screen Before You Sign
Year-round government, healthcare, and agricultural company workers are the most stable applicants. Use fixed-term leases for seasonal/vacation rentals. File Oceana County cases in Hart — not Ludington (Mason County). All Michigan fair housing protections apply equally.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Oceana County, Michigan
Oceana County is a place where agriculture, tourism, and Lake Michigan shoreline living intersect along Michigan’s west coast. With approximately 26,659 residents spread across a relatively compact county, it is one of west Michigan’s smaller markets — but what it lacks in size it makes up for in distinctive character. The county has historically marketed itself as the “Asparagus Capital of the World,” a title reflecting the fertile Lake Michigan lakeshore soils that make Oceana County one of Michigan’s most productive fruit and vegetable farming regions. Asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, apples, and peaches are all grown commercially, and the county’s agricultural economy has attracted a substantial and established Hispanic or Latino community (approximately 15.4% of the population) whose members work across agricultural, food processing, and service sectors.
Silver Lake, Pentwater, and the Tourism Economy
The Silver Lake Sand Dunes, located on the Lake Michigan shoreline, are one of Michigan’s most visited outdoor recreation destinations, drawing ORV riders, dune climbers, and beachgoers from across the Midwest. The adjacent Silver Lake area and the charming village of Pentwater are significant seasonal and vacation rental markets. The US-31 corridor connecting these communities to broader west Michigan sees heavy summer traffic, and a meaningful portion of Oceana County’s housing stock functions as vacation or seasonal property rather than year-round rental. Landlords in the lakeside communities should use explicit fixed-term leases that clearly define start and end dates for seasonal arrangements — a tenant who holds over after a seasonal lease expires can acquire month-to-month rights and will require formal eviction to remove.
The 79th District Court
Oceana County landlord-tenant evictions file with the 79th District Court at 100 S. State Street, Suite L-15, Hart, MI 49420, phone (231) 873-4530. The 79th District Court also serves Mason County at the Ludington location (304 E. Ludington Avenue) — Oceana County cases must be filed in Hart, not Ludington. Judge John Middlebrook presides. Security deposit compliance is standard Michigan: 1.5× maximum, 30-day return with itemized list, double damages for noncompliance under MCL 554.613. All Michigan fair housing protections apply equally to all tenants regardless of national origin or immigration status.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Oceana County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the 79th District Court or a licensed Michigan attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
