A Michigan rental agreement is a legal contract between a landlord overseeing a rental property and a tenant using the property. Michigan landlord-tenant law governs and regulates these agreements.
Michigan Rental Agreement Types
Michigan Required Residential Lease Disclosures
- Landlord’s Name and Address (required for all leases) – Michigan leases must contain the landlord’s name and address, or that of their authorized agent. This allows required communication (for example, about repairs) to happen in a smooth way. Typically includes additional contact information, such as phone numbers and email addresses.
- Truth in Renting Act Disclosure (required for all leases) – Michigan requires a specific notice in all rental agreements that recommends the renter seek legal counsel if they have questions about the lease.
- Domestic Violence Protection Disclosure (required for all leases) – Michigan leases must include a disclosure on domestic violence protections, noting that victims have a right to end the lease early if needed.
- Move-In Checklist (required for some leases) – Michigan landlords collecting a security deposit must provide a move-in checklist to complete within 7 days of move-in. This lets tenants inventory any existing damage to the property and ensure accurate deductions later. Landlords also must disclose damages charged to the last tenant.
- Lead Based Paint Disclosure (required for some leases) – Landlords must provide an EPA-approved disclosure and informational pamphlet to tenants renting any property built before 1978.
To learn more about required disclosures in Michigan, click here.
Michigan Landlord Tenant Laws
- Warranty of Habitability – Michigan landlords can only rent out habitable property. This means providing certain basic health and safety features like heat, plumbing, and electricity. Landlords must repair any issues within a reasonable time after proper notice. Failure to repair lets a tenant sue the landlord, terminate the lease, withhold rent into court escrow, or repair and deduct from the rent.
- Evictions – Michigan allows eviction if tenants fail to pay rent (7-day notice), commit an illegal act (24-hour notice), or violate the lease (30-day notice). The nature of the offense determines how long evictions take in Michigan.
- Security Deposits – Michigan limits security deposits to a maximum of 1.5 times the rent. When a lease ends, landlords must return any unused portion of a tenant’s deposit within 30 days.
- Lease Termination – Michigan lets tenants end a month-to-month lease with 30 days of advance notice. Terminating a fixed-term lease usually requires active military duty, landlord harassment, uninhabitable property, domestic abuse, or an agreement between the landlord and tenant.
- Rent Increases and Fees – Michigan doesn’t limit the amount or frequency of a rent increase or specify an advance notice requirement. Rent increases cannot occur during the lease term. There are no regulations on late fees, except returned check fees. These are capped at $25 (paid within 7 days) or $35 (paid after 7 days but within 30 days).
- Landlord Entry – Michigan landlords may enter rental property for reasonable business purposes, like maintenance and inspections. Unless there’s an emergency, they must provide reasonable advance notice before entering (at least 24 hours, by custom).
- Settling Legal Disputes – Michigan lets small claims courts hear landlord-tenant disputes, as long as the amount in controversy is under $5,000. Small claims courts can’t hear eviction cases. Most landlord-tenant issues have a six-year statute of limitations.
To learn more about landlord tenant laws in Michigan, click here.
Sources
- 1 Mich. Comp. L. § 600.2952(3) - (5)(3)
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The maker of a dishonored check, draft, or order for payment of money is liable to the payee as provided in subsection (4) if the maker fails to pay 1 of the following in cash to the payee or a designated agent of the payee after the mailing of a written demand for payment pursuant to subsection (2):
(a) Within 7 days, excluding weekends and holidays, after the date the written demand provided in subsection (2) is mailed, the full amount of the dishonored check, draft, or order, plus a processing fee of $25.00.
(b) Within 30 days after the date of the mailing of the notice provided in subsection (2), the full amount of the dishonored check, draft, or order, plus a processing fee of $35.00.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), a maker who fails to make payment pursuant to subsection (3) and who is found responsible for payment in a civil action is liable to the payee for payment of all of the following:
(a) The full amount of the check, draft, or order.
(b) Civil damages of 2 times the amount of the dishonored check, draft, or order or $100.00, whichever is greater.
(c) Costs of $250.00.(5) Subsection (4) does not apply if, before the trial of an action brought pursuant to this section, the maker pays to the payee or a designated agent of the payee, in cash, the total of the amounts described in subsection (3)(b), plus reasonable costs, not exceeding $250.00, as agreed to by the parties.
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