| Rent Increase Facts | Answer |
| Reason Needed? | No |
| Maximum Amount | None |
| Required Notice | No Statute |
Does Michigan Have Rent Control Laws?
Michigan does not have rent control laws limiting the amount that landlords may ask for. State law prohibits local governments from establishing local rent control laws.
When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Michigan?
Landlords in Michigan can raise the rent at any time, as long as they comply with the following:
- Give reasonable notice
- Aren’t raising rent for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons
- Wait until the end of the lease term (unless otherwise specified in the lease)
30 days before the end of a year-long lease, a landlord sends a notice that rent will increase by 4% if they choose to renew the lease.
When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in Michigan?
Landlords in Michigan may not raise the rent if:
- It is during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement).
- The increase is applied in a way that discriminates against one of the protected classes specified in the Fair Housing Act.
- It is done in response to a protected tenant action, such as filing a complaint or requesting a repair. This is known as “retaliation.”
In Michigan, if a judge finds that a landlord attempted to evict a tenant within 90 days of a tenant action, they will not approve the eviction request if the tenant’s failure to agree to a rent increase is the only grounds for eviction .
How Often Can Rent Be Increased in Michigan?
Landlords in Michigan can increase the rent as often as they wish, as long as reasonable notice is provided each time.
How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in Michigan?
Michigan law does not require a specific notice period before raising the rent, in most situations.
However, Michigan law still requires that landlords act fairly, by giving tenants reasonable notice when increasing rent. A one-month notice period required for the termination of a lease is typically used as reasonable notice for a rent increase .
Landlords may also include a provision in the lease agreement that allows rent increases during the lease term with at least 30 days’ notice , due to an increase in:
- Utility costs
- Property taxes
- Liability, fire, or worker compensation insurance premiums
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Michigan?
In Michigan, landlords can raise the rent by any amount. There is no legal limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase.
However, state law prevents landlords from charging rent that is “grossly in excess” of rent for similar properties .
Sources
- 1 MI Comp L § 123.411
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…a local governmental unit shall not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential property.
Source Link - 2 MI Comp L § 600.5720
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If a defendant who alleges a retaliatory termination of the tenancy shows that within 90 days before the commencement of summary proceedings the defendant attempted to secure or enforce rights…a presumption in favor of the defense of retaliatory termination arises…
Source Link - 3 MI Comp L § 554.134
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…an estate at will or by sufferance may be terminated by either party by giving 1 month’s notice to the other party.
Source Link - 4 MI Comp L § 554.633
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…an agreement may provide for the following types of adjustments to be made upon written notice of not less than 30 days…Changes in the amount of rental payments to cover additional…property taxes, charges for the electricity, heating fuel, water, or sanitary sewer services consumed at the property, or increases in premiums paid for…insurance.
Source Link - 5 MI Comp L § 445.903
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Unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive methods, acts, or practices in the conduct of trade or commerce are unlawful…Charging the consumer a price that is grossly in excess of the price at which similar property or services are sold.
Source Link - 6 MI Comp L § 554.633
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A rental agreement shall not include a provision that…Violates the Michigan consumer protection act…
Source Link
