Landlord Rules in Michigan: Renting Out Property (2026)

Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Michigan · Last updated 2026-05-18

In Michigan, every step of the landlord life-cycle is controlled by Michigan statute: registration, disclosure, deposit handling, entry, termination, eviction, and fair-housing exposure. Two anchors orient the rest: deposit timing (30 days) and month-to-month termination notice (1 month's notice). This guide details each step in the Michigan sequence.

Key Considerations

Two end-of-tenancy risks sit on every Michigan landlord's desk. Eviction is one. A summary proceeding is a civil action to recover possession of premises and to obtain certain ancillary relief. The process is governed by Chapter 57 of the Revised Judicature Act (MCL 600.5701 et seq.) and Michigan Court Rule 4.201. Fair-housing exposure is the other. Complaints are filed through the state agency website

Before a Michigan landlord collects the first rent check, two compliance items dominate. The first is registration or licensing: No state-level statute. Governed by municipal ordinance. The second is the security deposit ceiling and refund clock. 1 1/2 months' rent The refund deadline is 30 days

Operating an existing tenancy in Michigan requires honoring two notice timers. The first is the entry timer. No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. The second is the periodic-termination timer. 1 month's notice

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Residential Lease Agreement Rental Application Form Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist

Relevant Documents

Forms used in a Michigan tenancy are not generic. The lease must carry Michigan's required disclosures; the entry notice must match the statutory minimum; the deposit-return packet must follow the statutory itemization rule; and the eviction notice must use the format the Michigan court accepts.

Landlord's Rules and Regulations

A supplementary document to the lease that outlines specific rules for the property, such as quiet hours, guest policies, and maintenance responsibilities.

Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist

A document that records the condition of the rental property before the tenant moves in and after they move out, which helps determine if any damage occurred during the tenancy.

Notice of Entry Form

A document used by landlords to notify tenants of their intent to enter the rental property, typically required by state law with specific advance notice periods.

Rental Application Form

A form used to collect information about potential tenants, including employment history, income, references, and authorization for background and credit checks.

Residential Lease Agreement

A legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that outlines the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement, including rent amount, security deposit, lease duration, and other important provisions.

Security Deposit Receipt

A document acknowledging the landlord's receipt of the security deposit, including the amount, date received, and where the deposit will be held.

Relevant Laws

Michigan Truth in Renting Act (Act 454 of 1978)

This law regulates what can and cannot be included in residential lease agreements in Michigan. It prohibits certain provisions that waive tenant rights and requires landlords to disclose specific information. Landlords who violate this act may face penalties, and tenants can take legal action against prohibited lease clauses.

Michigan Security Deposit Act (Act 348 of 1972)

This law limits security deposits to 1.5 times the monthly rent and establishes procedures for collecting, holding, and returning deposits. Landlords must provide tenants with specific notices about security deposits and must return deposits within 30 days after tenants move out, minus any lawful deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear.

Michigan Landlord-Tenant Relationships Act (Act 297 of 1968)

This law establishes the basic rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in Michigan. It covers issues such as maintenance responsibilities, entry rights, eviction procedures, and remedies for violations. Landlords must maintain properties in accordance with health and safety codes and follow specific procedures for terminating tenancies.

Michigan Consumer Protection Act

While not exclusively a landlord-tenant law, this act prohibits unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive practices in the conduct of trade or commerce, which includes rental transactions. Landlords who engage in misleading advertising, misrepresentation, or other deceptive practices may be liable under this law.

Local Housing Codes and Ordinances

Many Michigan municipalities have their own housing codes and rental property ordinances that may require rental inspections, certificates of compliance, or registration of rental properties. These local laws often impose additional requirements beyond state law and may vary significantly by location.

Fair Housing Laws (Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act)

This law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, marital status, and age. Landlords must treat all potential and current tenants equally and cannot refuse to rent or impose different terms based on protected characteristics.

Regional Variances

Southeast Michigan

Detroit has specific rental ordinances including a rental property registration requirement and Certificate of Compliance that must be renewed every 2-3 years. The city conducts mandatory lead inspections for rental properties and has a more stringent rental inspection program than many other Michigan municipalities. Detroit also has a 'right of first refusal' ordinance for tenants when landlords sell rental properties.

Ann Arbor has strict housing codes and tenant protections. Landlords must provide a booklet on rights and responsibilities to tenants. The city has early leasing restrictions that prevent landlords from showing or re-leasing properties until 70 days after the current lease begins. Ann Arbor also has specific energy disclosure requirements for rental properties.

West Michigan

Grand Rapids requires rental properties to be registered and certified. The city has a rental property crime prevention program and specific lead hazard requirements. Grand Rapids also enforces a 'Housing Code' with additional requirements beyond state law, including regular inspections every 2-6 years depending on the property's compliance history.

Kalamazoo has a rental registration and certification program with mandatory inspections. The city has enacted a Fair Chance Housing Ordinance that limits landlords' ability to consider criminal history in rental applications. Kalamazoo also has specific anti-discrimination protections that include source of income.

Northern Michigan

Traverse City has specific regulations regarding short-term rentals, with different rules for homestead vs. non-homestead properties. The city has implemented caps on the number of vacation rentals allowed in certain zones and requires special licenses for short-term rentals.

Marquette has rental inspection requirements and a rental registration program. The city has specific snow removal requirements for landlords during winter months that are more stringent than other areas of Michigan due to heavy snowfall in the Upper Peninsula.

Mid-Michigan

Lansing requires rental properties to be registered and inspected every 2-3 years. The city has a specific ordinance addressing bed bugs that places certain responsibilities on landlords. Lansing also has a 'Crime Free Housing Program' that affects how landlords must handle criminal activity on their properties.

East Lansing has unique rental restrictions due to the presence of Michigan State University. The city limits the number of unrelated individuals who can live together in certain residential zones. East Lansing also requires landlords to provide recycling facilities and has specific noise ordinances that affect rental properties.

Suggested Compliance Checklist

Resolve the registration question before advertising the unit

Before listing days after starting

No state-level statute. Governed by municipal ordinance.

Set the security deposit within the statutory cap and hold the funds correctly

Before signing days after starting

1 1/2 months' rent

Issue the required disclosures and keep a signed acknowledgment

At lease signing days after starting

No state-level statute provides a single, comprehensive list of required landlord disclosures. Requirements are found across multiple statutes, including the Truth in Renting Act and the Landlord and Tenant Relationships Act.

Refund or itemize the deposit before the statutory cut-off

Ongoing days after starting

30 days

Give the legally required notice before ending a month-to-month

As needed days after starting

1 month's notice

Build the statutory entry notice into every showing, repair, and inspection

At move-out days after starting

No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable.

Route any eviction through the required pre-suit notice and court filing

If eviction needed days after starting

A summary proceeding is a civil action to recover possession of premises and to obtain certain ancillary relief. The process is governed by Chapter 57 of the Revised Judicature Act (MCL 600.5701 et seq.) and Michigan Court Rule 4.201.

Apply fair-housing rules across advertising, screening, and tenancy decisions