Michigan landlords often face frustration and legal hurdles when trying to remove a problem tenant. This up-to-date guide simplifies the Michigan eviction process and laws by outlining valid reasons, timelines, procedures, and key landlord-tenant regulations everyone should know.
How Michigan Law Defines Eviction
Eviction in Michigan means a landlord legally removing a tenant from a rental property through the court system. Every step must follow strict legal procedures to protect both parties and prevent wrongful eviction.
You can find Michigan’s eviction laws in the Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 600, Section 5714, which outlines valid grounds for eviction, notice requirements, and court procedures.
Eviction With Just Cause
In Michigan, “just cause” means an apparent and lawful reason for removing a tenant, like missed rent payments or serious lease violations. Landlords must have legitimate grounds before starting the eviction process.
Michigan landlords can evict tenants with just cause when tenants fail to pay rent, damage the unit, break lease terms, or engage in illegal conduct on the property. Every step must follow Michigan’s strict court procedures before the landlord regains possession.
For landlords, keeping thorough documentation matters. Detailed records of payments, photos of damage, inspection notes, and written communication can make or break an eviction case (and keep everything above board with state law).
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714, Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134
No-Fault Evictions
Michigan landlords can end a fixed-term lease without just cause once the agreement naturally expires. When the lease runs its course, they can simply choose not to renew, as long as they follow Michigan’s notice requirements and avoid any landlord retaliation or discrimination.
For month-to-month tenants, landlords must provide at least one rental period’s written notice (usually 30 days) before ending the tenancy. Giving clear notice keeps everything legal and helps both sides move forward without confusion or legal pushback.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134
Grounds for Eviction in Michigan
Landlords in Michigan may evict tenants for several legally recognized reasons, which include:
Lease Violations
A rental agreement lays the foundation for how landlords and tenants live and work together. When tenants ignore those terms, Michigan landlords gain the right to take action through the state’s eviction process.
Common examples of lease violations include:
- Painting the kitchen cabinets neon green without written permission.
- Turning the garage into a mini auto repair shop for friends and neighbors.
- Keeping a cat hidden in a “no pets allowed” unit for months.
A transparent lease agreement keeps everyone on the same page and prevents these common issues before they come to fruition. Landlords should walk tenants through the rules at move-in, and tenants should follow them closely to avoid costly disputes or early lease termination.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714
Non-Payment of Rent
In Michigan, rent comes due on the exact date listed in the lease, and landlords don’t have to provide tenants with a grace period. When a tenant misses a rent deadline, the landlord can issue a 7-Day Demand for Possession (Nonpayment of Rent), giving the tenant 7 days to pay or move out.
Applicable law: MCL § 554.134(2)
Illegal Use of the Premises
Under Michigan law, landlords can evict tenants who use a rental for criminal activity or allow others to do so. Whether a tenant is growing marijuana without a license in the basement, fencing stolen goods from the garage, running an unregistered casino in the living room, or dealing drugs out of the parking lot, landlords have every right to start the eviction process.
Smart landlords act fast and document everything. Police reports, photos, or witness statements all help prove illegal use and keep the case airtight in court. Following the procedure keeps the eviction lawful and minimizes risk along the way.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714
Tenant Actions that Threaten Health or Safety
In Michigan, landlords can move to evict tenants who create dangerous or unsanitary living conditions. State law allows eviction when tenants violate health, safety, or housing codes or when their actions make the unit unsafe for others.
Common examples of health and safety violations in Michigan include:
- Ignoring overflowing trash for weeks until it attracts rats and maggots.
- Overloading outlets with space heaters and extension cords, thereby creating a fire hazard.
- Letting pets urinate indoors, thereby damaging flooring and causing severe odors.
Landlords should document each violation, send a written notice, and act quickly to protect the property (and their other tenants). For a deeper look at landlord and tenant obligations, check out our Michigan warranty of habitability guide.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714, Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.139
Destruction or Neglect of the Rental Unit
In Michigan, landlords can move to evict tenants who cause severe damage or neglect the property beyond normal wear and tear. State law considers significant destruction (like shattered windows, torn-out fixtures, or plumbing damage) as clear grounds for eviction.
Landlords should document everything as soon as they become aware of the damage. Take dated photos or videos, gather repair estimates, and keep inspection records handy. A detailed move-in checklist documenting the unit’s original condition is valuable evidence if the case goes to court.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714, Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.139
Tenant is in a Month-to-Month Rental Contract
In Michigan, landlords can end a month-to-month rental agreement at any time without giving a specific reason. They simply need to provide written notice for one rental period (usually 30 days) using a valid Notice to Quit form. If the tenant doesn’t vacate by the end of that notice period, the landlord can then file an eviction claim in district court to reposses their property.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134
Step-by-Step Eviction Process in Michigan
Michigan landlords must follow a meticulous eviction process that begins with serving notice and ends with regaining possession of the rental unit through the courts.
Here are the seven steps landlords must take:
1. Deliver Notice to the Tenant
Every Michigan eviction starts with a notice that clearly states why the landlord wants the tenant out. Whether it’s missed rent, property damage, illegal activity, or another lease violation, the landlord must serve the proper written notice and allow time to fix the problem when the law requires it.
Specific actions (like drug activity or deliberate destruction of property) offer tenants no second chances. In those cases, landlords can issue an Immediate Notice to Quit. Michigan law requires landlords to serve notices correctly, either in person, by mail, or by leaving them with an adult occupant at the rental unit.
Notice Forms & Timelines
- 7-Day Demand for Possession (Nonpayment of Rent): Used when tenants fail to pay rent. Gives 7 days to pay in full or vacate.
- 7-Day Notice to Quit for Health, Safety, or Illegal Activity Violations: Used for illegal drug activity, threats, or intentional property damage. Tenants receive no right to cure.
- 7-Day Notice to Quit for Material Lease Violations: Used for lease breaches such as unauthorized pets, unapproved occupants, or property damage. Depending on the lease terms, some issues may be curable.
- 30-Day Notice to Quit for Termination of Tenancy: Used to end month-to-month or at-will tenancies. Provides at least one rental period (usually 30 days) before termination.
- Immediate Notice to Quit: Used for severe misconduct, including illegal drug activity, physical injury or threats, or deliberate property destruction. Tenants must vacate immediately with no opportunity to correct the issue.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714, Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5716, Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5718
2. File an Eviction Lawsuit Against the Tenant
Once the notice period runs out (or the tenant ignores their last chance to make things right), the landlord will take the next step by filing a Complaint to Recover Possession of Property with the Michigan District Court in the county where the rental property is located. The landlord should include the lease, the notice to quit, and unmistakable evidence supporting their case (think unpaid rent records, photos of damage, or written communication).
The filing fee usually lands between $45 and $150, depending on the county or the amount of rent owed. After that, the landlord will wait for the clerk to process the paperwork and schedule a hearing, usually within 10 days.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5704, Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5735
3. Serve Court Summons Paperwork to the Tenant
After the court clerk schedules the eviction hearing, the landlord will arrange for a court officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, bailiff, or certified process server to deliver the summons and complaint to the tenant. The process server will complete a Proof of Service form detailing when and how delivery took place, and the landlord will file that form with the court to keep the case moving.
Once the tenant receives the summons, they won’t need to file a written reply, but they must appear on the assigned court date to tell their side of the story. Both parties will appear before the judge or magistrate, who will review the facts and evidence before deciding what happens next.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5732, Mich. Ct. R. 2.105
4. Attend the Eviction Hearing
When the court date arrives, both the landlord and tenant (or their attorneys) will appear before a Michigan District Court judge or magistrate. The landlord will walk through their case, going over the lease, notice to quit, payment logs, photos, or any other proof that supports eviction. The tenant will then have the opportunity to present their side of the story.
The judge will review the facts carefully, ask clarifying questions, and may request extra documentation or testimony from either side. After hearing both arguments, the court will take everything under consideration before deciding what happens next.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5735, Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5738
5. Court Reaches a Ruling
After deliberating, the Michigan judge or magistrate will reach a decision. Most rulings happen the same day as the hearing, though some courts may take a few extra days to decide.
If the judge sides with the tenant, the tenant will remain in the property, and the judge will close the case. If the judge sides with the landlord, the court will issue a Judgment for Possession, giving the landlord the right to request an Order of Eviction. Tenants who want to appeal have 10 days to file and can remain in the unit during that time if they post an appeal bond.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5741, Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5750
6. Judge Issues a Judgment for Possession
If the judge sides with the landlord, they will issue a Judgment for Possession, officially giving the landlord the right to reclaim the property. The tenant will have one final 10-day window to either move out voluntarily or file an appeal before the landlord can move forward.
Once that 10-day period closes, the landlord will request an Order of Eviction, which authorizes a sheriff or court officer to physically remove the tenant if the tenant still refuses to leave.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5744, Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5741
7. Law Enforcement Executes the Order of Eviction
Once issued an Order of Eviction, the landlord will need to contact a court officer, sheriff, or deputy sheriff to enforce it. Only these officials (not the landlord) have the legal authority to evict the tenant. The officer will schedule a date, arrive on-site, and supervise the eviction before returning full possession of the property to the landlord.
Michigan law doesn’t require landlords to store any items left behind after an eviction. Once the Order of Eviction is executed and the property is back in the landlord’s control, they can decide how to handle the remaining belongings.
Applicable law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5744
Tenant Defense Against Eviction in Michigan
An eviction can lower credit scores, scare off future landlords, and even pop up in job screenings. Still, tenants have a real chance to defend themselves. With clear documentation and quick action, they can push back against wrongful evictions and protect their housing.
Savvy preparation goes a long way. Tenants should track rent payments, save every text or email from their landlord, and act fast when they get a notice. Sometimes, an honest conversation about late rent or repairs can defuse the situation before it escalates.
If the pressure mounts, professional help can make all the difference. Michigan Legal Help offers free or low-cost support to renters facing eviction, while local housing counseling programs can provide step-by-step guidance.
Timelines to Expect
In Michigan, an eviction can be completed in 2 weeks to 2 months but can take longer depending on the reason for eviction, whether the eviction is contested, which days courts are (or aren’t) in session and other various possible delays.
Below are the parts of the Michigan eviction process outside the control of landlords for cases that go uncontested.
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Initial Notice Period | 1-30 Calendar Days |
| Court Issuing/Serving Summons | ~3 Business Days |
| Court Ruling | 5-10 Business Days |
| Court Serving Writ of Restitution | ~7 Business Days |
| Final Notice Period | ~7 Calendar Days |
Flowchart of the Michigan Eviction Process
Typical Court Fees
The total cost of an eviction in Michigan for all filing, court, and service fees varies heavily on the claim amount. Eviction lawsuits can be filed in District Court, Municipal Court, and Common Pleas Court of Detroit the average cost is $411.
| Fee | District |
| Initial Court Filing | $45+ |
| Summons Service | $26+ |
| Order of Eviction Service | ~$40 |
| Order of Eviction Execution | ~$300 |
| Notice of Appeal Filing (Optional) | $25 |
| Jury Demand Filing (Optional) | $50 |
Navigate the Michigan Eviction Process
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