Laws by state / Michigan

Michigan landlord and tenant rules

The figures that decide most disputes between Michigan landlords and tenants, each with a calculator and the statute behind it.

Verified against the statutes 2026-10-22By RentByState Research
RuleMichiganStatuteTool
Maximum security deposit1.5 months' rentMCL 554.602 (cap); MCL 554.609 (30-day itemized list); MCL 554.613 (double damages)Deposit rules
Deposit return deadlineWithin 30 days after termination of occupancy the landlord must mail an itemized list of damages plus a check/money order for the balance (or return the full deposit)MCL 554.602 (cap); MCL 554.609 (30-day itemized list); MCL 554.613 (double damages)Deposit rules
Interest on the depositNot requiredMCL 554.602 (cap); MCL 554.609 (30-day itemized list); MCL 554.613 (double damages)
Maximum late feeNo statutory capNo statute; Michigan Truth in Renting Act (MCL 554.631 et seq.) and contract lawLate fee calculator
Landlord notice, month-to-month30 daysMCL 554.134(1)-(2); MCL 600.5714(1)(a)Notice calculator
Tenant notice, month-to-month30 daysMCL 554.134(1)-(2); MCL 600.5714(1)(a)Notice calculator
Rent increase notice30 daysMCL 554.134(1)-(2); MCL 600.5714(1)(a)Notice calculator
Pay-or-quit notice7 daysMCL 554.134(1)-(2); MCL 600.5714(1)(a)Notice calculator
Rent increase capNone statewide

Security deposits in Michigan

Michigan limits security deposits to 1.5 months' rent. The deposit must be returned within 30 days after termination of occupancy the landlord must mail an itemized list of damages plus a check/money order for the balance (or return the full deposit). No interest is owed on the deposit under state law. Statute text read verbatim on FindLaw mirror (current as of Jan 1, 2025); legislature.mi.gov refused connections from this environment. 554.602: deposit 'shall not exceed 1 1/2 months' rent.' 554.609: itemized list mailed within 30 days after termination of occupancy, with required 12-point boldface 7-day response notice. No statutory interest on deposits (deposit must be held in a regulated financial institution or secured by a surety bond, 554.604). 2024-2026 change: 2026 PA 102, signed Sept 21, 2026 and effective immediately, amends MCL 554.609 to allow electronic return of the deposit (direct deposit, electronic transfer, mobile payment app) within 10 days after mailing the notice of damages (secondary source: Tilchin & Hall blog via search summary; article itself could not be fetched). Also April 2, 2025: source-of-income protection for landlords with 5+ units (secondary). Tenant must give forwarding address within 4 days of move-out (554.611). Full deposit rules and move-out checklist.

Late fees in Michigan

Michigan sets no statutory cap on late fees. The amount is whatever the lease says, subject to the general rule that it must not be an unconscionable penalty. There is no statutory grace period, so the lease controls when the fee starts. Calculate the maximum fee.

Notice periods in Michigan

A Michigan landlord must give 30 days’ written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and the tenant must give the same. A rent increase needs 30 days’ notice. For nonpayment, the landlord must serve a 7-day notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction. Calculate the effective date of a notice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Michigan?

1.5 months' rent. Statute text read verbatim on FindLaw mirror (current as of Jan 1, 2025); legislature.mi.gov refused connections from this environment. 554.602: deposit 'shall not exceed 1 1/2 months' rent.' 554.609: itemized list mailed within 30 days after termination of occupancy, with required 12-point boldface 7-day response notice. No statutory interest on deposits (deposit must be held in a regulated financial institution or secured by a surety bond, 554.604). 2024-2026 change: 2026 PA 102, signed Sept 21, 2026 and effective immediately, amends MCL 554.609 to allow electronic return of the deposit (direct deposit, electronic transfer, mobile payment app) within 10 days after mailing the notice of damages (secondary source: Tilchin & Hall blog via search summary; article itself could not be fetched). Also April 2, 2025: source-of-income protection for landlords with 5+ units (secondary). Tenant must give forwarding address within 4 days of move-out (554.611).

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Michigan?

There is no statutory maximum in Michigan. No statute caps late fees or sets a grace period; fees must be in the written lease and are subject to common-law reasonableness (courts generally accept roughly 5-10%; secondary sources only). The most common lease figure nationally is 5% of monthly rent, and courts in no-cap states generally accept fees in that range while rejecting ones that look like penalties.

How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Michigan?

30 days’ written notice for a month-to-month tenancy. Estate at will (month-to-month): either party may terminate by giving 1 month's notice (MCL 554.134(1)).

How long is a pay-or-quit notice in Michigan?

7 days. The tenant can stop the eviction by paying the full amount within that time.

Other states