Michigan landlord deadlines

Within 30 days after move-out: mail an itemized notice of damages with the deposit balance Verified

Deadline: Within 30 days after move-out

If you claim damages or other charges against the deposit, mail the tenant an itemized notice of damages within 30 days after occupancy ends, with estimated repair costs and a check or money order (or electronic transfer) for the balance. The notice must tell the tenant, in large bold type, to respond by mail within 7 days. You only have to mail it if the tenant gave a forwarding address within 4 days.

Applies to: any number of units, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: Michigan · Topic: Security deposit return

"the landlord shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, a notice of damages that contains an itemized list of damages claimed for which the security deposit may be used"
legislature.mi.gov

"the notice of damages must be accompanied by a check or money order for the difference between the damages claimed and the amount of the security deposit held by the landlord"
legislature.mi.gov

Notes: MCL 554.609, as amended by 2026 PA 102 (electronic transfer of the balance within 10 days after mailing the notice).

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Within 45 days after move-out: return the disputed deposit balance or file suit for the damages Verified

Deadline: Within 45 days after move-out

If the tenant disputes your damage claim, you must either sue for a money judgment or return the balance within 45 days after occupancy ends. Missing this deadline waives the claimed damages and can make you liable for double the amount retained.

Applies to: any number of units, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: Michigan · Topic: Security deposit return

"Within 45 days after termination of the occupancy and not thereafter the landlord may commence an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for a money judgment for damages which he has claimed or in lieu thereof return the balance of the security deposit held by him to the tenant"
legislature.mi.gov

"Failure of the landlord to comply fully with this section constitutes waiver of all claimed damages and makes him liable to the tenant for double the amount of the security deposit retained."
legislature.mi.gov

Notes: MCL 554.613. Exceptions include no forwarding address, no tenant response to the notice of damages, a written agreement, or a claim based only on unpaid rent.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Within 14 days after the tenant moves in: give the written deposit notice (your address, the bank or surety, and the 4-day forwarding-address statement) Verified

Deadline: Within 14 days after the lease starts

To require a security deposit, give the tenant a written notice within 14 days after they take possession with your name and address for notices, the financial institution or surety holding the deposit, and the tenant's duty to give a forwarding address within 4 days after moving out, including the required bold statement.

Applies to: any number of units, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: Michigan · Topic: Deposit receipts and bank notices

"A landlord shall not require a security deposit unless he notifies the tenant no later than 14 days from the date a tenant assumes possession in a written instrument of the landlord's name and address for receipt of communications under this act"
legislature.mi.gov

"the name and address of the financial institution or surety required by section 4 and the tenant's obligation to provide in writing a forwarding mailing address to the landlord within 4 days after termination of occupancy."
legislature.mi.gov

Notes: MCL 554.603.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

At move-in: give 2 blank inventory checklists; the tenant returns one within 7 days Verified

Deadline: When the lease starts

When the lease begins, give the tenant two blank copies of the move-in inventory checklist (identical to the move-out checklist), with the required bold notice. The tenant has 7 days to return a completed copy. At move-out, complete a termination checklist listing the damages you claim.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Michigan · Topic: Required tenant notices

"At the commencement of the lease, the landlord shall furnish the tenant 2 blank copies of a commencement inventory checklist, which form shall be identical to the form used for the termination inventory checklist."
legislature.mi.gov

"At the termination of the occupancy, the landlord shall complete a termination inventory checklist listing all the damages he claims were caused by the tenant."
legislature.mi.gov

Notes: MCL 554.608. Applies to units for which a security deposit is required.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

End a month-to-month or other periodic tenancy with notice equal to one rental period (one month) Verified

Deadline: At least 1 month before the lease ends

A tenancy at will (including month-to-month) can be ended by giving 1 month's notice. If rent is paid at intervals shorter than 3 months, notice equal to the interval between rent payments is enough.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Michigan · Topic: Non-renewal and termination notice

"an estate at will or by sufferance may be terminated by either party by giving 1 month's notice to the other party. If the rent reserved in a lease is payable at periods of less than 3 months, the time of notice is sufficient if it is equal to the interval between the times of payment."
legislature.mi.gov

Notes: MCL 554.134(1).

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

For unpaid rent: a written 7-day notice to quit Verified

Deadline: At least 7 days after serving a written notice to quit for unpaid rent

If a tenant does not pay rent, you can end the tenancy with a written 7-day notice to quit before starting eviction proceedings.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Michigan · Topic: Non-renewal and termination notice

"If a tenant neglects or refuses to pay rent on a lease at will or otherwise, the landlord may terminate the tenancy by giving the tenant a written 7-day notice to quit."
legislature.mi.gov

Notes: MCL 554.134(2).

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction