Landlord tools · Michigan

Michigan residential lease agreement.

Everything a Michigan lease must get right in 2026 — deposit limits, late fees, notice periods, and required disclosures — plus a free builder that applies each rule for you and outputs a signable PDF.

1.5 monthsSecurity deposit cap

30 daysDeposit return deadline

ReasonableEntry notice required

30 daysTo end month-to-month

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Security deposits in Michigan

Michigan caps security deposits at 1.5 months of rent. Max 1.5 months' rent After the tenancy ends, the deposit must be returned within 30 days. Itemized list and refund within 30 days; tenant must give forwarding address within 4 days of moving Returning one now? Use the free Michigan deposit return letter generator — it computes the deadline and itemizes deductions for you.

Late fees and grace periods

Michigan sets no statutory dollar cap on late fees, but courts require them to be reasonable and they must appear in the written lease. No grace period is required by statute, though many leases include one. No statutory cap or grace period; must be in lease and reasonable.

Landlord entry and notices

Michigan has no fixed entry-notice statute — reasonable notice is the standard, and the lease should spell it out. No entry-notice statute; lease should specify reasonable notice and times. Ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 30 days' written notice (Notice equal to one rental interval — one month for month-to-month). No statute; changes to month-to-month terms require one-month notice. Planning an increase? The free Michigan rent increase notice generator applies the notice period automatically.

Required disclosures in a Michigan lease

Lead-based paint (federal). EPA/HUD pamphlet and disclosure required (Required when: pre-1978 housing.)
Truth in Renting Act notice. Lease must include statutory notice that Michigan law establishes rights/duties and voids certain clauses (Always required.)
Deposit bank/surety notice. Within 14 days of move-in: where deposit is held plus forwarding-address notice (Required when: if deposit taken.)
Inventory checklists. Two blank checklists at move-in; tenant returns one within 7 days (Required when: if deposit taken.)
Domestic violence release rights. Notice (in lease or posted) of tenant's right to early release for DV/stalking (Always required.)

Clauses you can’t put in a Michigan lease

Void lease clauses: rights waivers, liability limits, retaliation clauses (Truth in Renting)
Self-help eviction/lockouts
Deposits above 1.5 months

Utilities and pets

Utilities: No shared-meter statute; lease should allocate utilities. Shutting off utilities to evict is unlawful. Pets: No separate pet deposit rules; pet deposits count toward the 1.5-month total cap.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Michigan?

Michigan caps security deposits at 1.5 months of rent. Max 1.5 months' rent

How long does a Michigan landlord have to return the deposit?

30 days after the tenancy ends. Itemized list and refund within 30 days; tenant must give forwarding address within 4 days of moving

Are late fees limited in Michigan?

There's no statutory dollar cap, but fees must be reasonable and stated in the lease. No statutory cap or grace period; must be in lease and reasonable

How much notice before a landlord can enter the unit in Michigan?

Michigan has no fixed statutory period — reasonable notice applies. No entry-notice statute; lease should specify reasonable notice and times

Does Michigan have rent control?

No statewide rent control. Local rent control preempted by state law

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Key statutes: MCL 554.602-.616 · MCL 554.134 · MCL 554.631-.641. Last reviewed 2026-07. This guide summarizes state law for convenience and is not legal advice; cities and counties may add their own rules.