Michigan Month-to-Month Lease Agreement

Last Updated: December 18, 2023 by Roberto Valenzuela

A Michigan month-to-month rental agreement is a contract (not necessarily in writing) which allows a tenant to rent property from a landlord, for one month at a time, in exchange for a fee (“rent”). The rental renews monthly, until either party gives proper notice to end it.

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For information about fixed-term leases in Michigan (i.e., a term of one year or more), click here.

Basics of a Michigan Month-to-Month Rental Agreement

In Michigan, a landlord and tenant create a month-to-month lease by agreeing to rent a property according to acceptable terms. Written rental agreements are clearer and legally stronger, but oral leases are legal in a month-to-month context.

Parties under a month-to-month lease enjoy full rights under Michigan landlord-tenant law. The tenant must use the property in a responsible way and pay rent on time. The landlord must keep essential features of the property in habitable condition, and protect the tenant’s quiet enjoyment of the lease.

The main difference between a month-to-month lease and a fixed-term lease is that month-to-month leases can be terminated (with proper notice) by either party for any reason without penalty. Landlords also can usually modify terms from one month to the next, again with proper notice.

Required Disclosures for Month-to-Month Rentals in Michigan

Michigan landlords may not rent a property out without making the following disclosures to a potential tenant, as relevant:

  • Landlord’s Name and Address – Landlords must give the tenant their name and address, or that of their authorized agent, to enable smooth communication of legal notice.
  • Truth in Renting Act Disclosure – As part of the Truth in Renting Act, all residential rental agreements in Michigan must include a general statement of the rights a tenant has under state law.
  • Move-In Checklist – Landlords must provide tenants with a move-in checklist to take inventory of existing property damage before move-in.
  • Domestic Violence Disclosure – Michigan rental agreements must include a notice that a tenant with a certified proof of domestic violence victim status may cancel the lease without penalty by giving appropriate notice.
  • Lead-Based Paint – Landlords must provide an EPA-approved disclosure and informational pamphlet to tenants renting any property built before 1978.

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The state page for fixed-term leases may have more detailed information on required disclosures.

Required Notice To End a Month-to-Month Rental in Michigan

Michigan lets both the landlord or tenant terminate a month-to-month lease with at least 30 days of advance notice. In general, any reason that isn’t landlord retaliation is a legal and valid grounds for ending a month-to-month lease.

Michigan requires written notice to end a month-to-month lease.

Required Notice To Raise the Rent on a Michigan Month-to-Month Lease

Michigan requires that notice for a rental increase be delivered in writing, but doesn’t specify a particular timeframe for that notice. This means in most cases it’s reasonable for a landlord to keep the same standard advance notice provided for termination or other major lease changes, which in Michigan is 30 days.

Eviction in Michigan Month-to-Month Rentals

Michigan tenants may face eviction for violating a month-to-month lease or remaining on the property after the notice period allowed by a valid termination. Evictions in Michigan typically take two to eight weeks.

For more information on the eviction process in Michigan, click here.

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