Landlord-Tenant Law in Schoolcraft County, Michigan
Schoolcraft County is a small Upper Peninsula county of approximately 8,047 residents — Michigan’s fourth-least populous county — centered on the Lake Michigan port city of Manistique. The county is named for Henry Schoolcraft, the explorer and geographer who traveled the region with Lewis Cass in the early 19th century. Schoolcraft County is largely rural and forested, with much of its western portion within the Hiawatha National Forest. The county’s most celebrated landmark is Kitch-iti-kipi (also known as The Big Spring), Michigan’s largest natural spring, located in Palms Book State Park north of Manistique — a major tourism draw. The county has 8.7% American Indian population, reflecting the presence of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, which holds a small trust land parcel in southern Manistique Township. As an Upper Peninsula county, landlords must comply with Michigan’s habitability standards (MCL 554.139), which courts have interpreted to include adequate winter heating systems given the UP’s severe winters. The county median household income is approximately $54,163, with a median rent of approximately $767. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 93rd District Court at 300 Walnut Street, Room 135, Manistique, MI 49854, phone (906) 341-3630.
Kitch-iti-kipi; Hiawatha Nat’l Forest; 8.7% American Indian; UP winter habitability
Landlord Rating
7/10 — Small UP Rural/Tourism Market
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Demand for Possession
Lease Violation Notice
30-Day Notice to Quit
Court
93rd DC — 300 Walnut St., Rm 135, Manistique
Court Phone
(906) 341-3630
Judge
Hon. Charles C. Nebel
Note
93rd DC also serves Alger County (Munising)
Schoolcraft County Local Regulations
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Michigan state law governs all residential rental matters. UP winter habitability standards apply.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. The City of Manistique maintains local property standards. Michigan state law governs all landlord-tenant matters countywide.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Schoolcraft 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).
❄️ UP Winter Habitability
Critical for Schoolcraft County landlords: Michigan’s habitability statute (MCL 554.139) requires landlords to maintain rental units in a condition fit for their intended use. In the Upper Peninsula, courts have interpreted this to require adequate, functional heating systems capable of maintaining safe indoor temperatures through severe winter conditions (temperatures well below 0°F are common). Landlords who allow heating systems to fail during winter months face habitability claims and potential liability for tenant damages.
Tribal Jurisdiction Note
The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians holds a small trust land parcel in southern Manistique Township. Properties on or adjacent to tribal trust land may involve concurrent or exclusive tribal court jurisdiction. Landlords with questions about properties near tribal lands should consult a Michigan attorney familiar with tribal land issues before proceeding with any eviction action.
93rd DC Serves Two Counties
The 93rd District Court serves both Schoolcraft County (300 Walnut St., Rm 135, Manistique) and Alger County (101 Court St., Munising). File Schoolcraft County cases in Manistique only.
Source-of-Income (2025)
Effective April 2, 2025, Michigan prohibits source-of-income discrimination at 5+ unit properties statewide (MCL 554.601c). Civil remedy: actual damages or 3× monthly rent plus attorney fees (MCL 554.601d).
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Schoolcraft County Courthouse
93rd District Court — Manistique, MI
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Michigan
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State statutes that apply throughout Schoolcraft 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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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
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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 Schoolcraft County
City, villages, and townships
Manistique Germfask Gulliver Cooks
Schoolcraft County • Upper Peninsula
Screen Before You Sign
Healthcare workers, government employees, and Hiawatha National Forest workers are the most stable applicants. Inspect and document heating systems before every lease. Verify tribal trust land status for properties in southern Manistique Township before any eviction.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Schoolcraft County, Michigan
Schoolcraft County is one of Michigan’s smallest and most remote counties, a lightly populated Upper Peninsula territory of forests, lakes, and Lake Michigan shoreline. With approximately 8,047 residents, it ranks as Michigan’s fourth-least populous county, behind only Keweenaw, Luce, and Ontonagon. The county seat of Manistique sits on the northern shore of Lake Michigan along US-2, the main east-west highway across the southern Upper Peninsula. Manistique is the county’s commercial and civic center, offering the county hospital, schools, local government offices, and the majority of year-round rental housing. The county’s workforce concentrates in healthcare, government, retail, and the forest products industry, with Hiawatha National Forest’s management operations providing additional employment.
Kitch-iti-kipi and Tourism
The county’s most famous attraction is Kitch-iti-kipi, also known as the Big Spring, located in Palms Book State Park north of Manistique. Michigan’s largest natural spring — roughly 200 feet wide and 40 feet deep — Kitch-iti-kipi draws tens of thousands of visitors annually and supports the local tourism economy. Seasonal rental demand spikes in summer months around this attraction and along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Landlords offering seasonal properties should use explicit fixed-term leases and document all property conditions before and after occupancy.
UP Winter Habitability
The Upper Peninsula’s winters are among the most severe in the contiguous United States. Schoolcraft County regularly experiences temperatures well below zero Fahrenheit and heavy lake-effect snowfall. Michigan’s habitability statute (MCL 554.139) requires landlords to maintain rental units in a condition fit for their intended use, and UP courts have applied this to require that heating systems be functional and adequate for the climate. Landlords should inspect and document heating system condition at every lease renewal and address any mechanical issues before winter. Failure to maintain adequate heat can expose landlords to habitability defenses, lease termination claims, and potential damages in eviction proceedings.
Tribal Land Note and the 93rd District Court
The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians holds a small trust land parcel in southern Manistique Township. Landlords with properties on or adjacent to tribal trust lands should confirm jurisdiction with a Michigan attorney before initiating eviction proceedings, as tribal and state court jurisdiction can overlap in complex ways on or near tribal land. Schoolcraft County evictions file with the 93rd District Court at 300 Walnut Street, Room 135, Manistique, MI 49854, phone (906) 341-3630. Judge Hon. Charles C. Nebel presides. The 93rd District Court also serves Alger County (Munising) — file Schoolcraft cases in Manistique. Security deposit compliance is standard Michigan: 1.5× maximum, 30-day return with itemized list, double damages for noncompliance under MCL 554.613.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Schoolcraft County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Verify tribal land jurisdiction status before initiating eviction proceedings on or near tribal trust land. Always confirm current requirements with the 93rd District Court or a licensed Michigan attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
