Michigan eviction notice and late fee rules

Notice for unpaid rent

7 days — If a tenant neglects or refuses to pay rent, the landlord may terminate the tenancy with a written 7-day notice to quit.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

An estate at will or by sufferance may be terminated by either party with 1 month's notice; where rent is payable at intervals under 3 months, notice equal to the payment interval is sufficient.

Late-fee limit

No statutory cap found

Grace period before a late fee

None found in the statutes we read

Notice for unpaid rent

If a tenant neglects or refuses to pay rent, the landlord may terminate the tenancy with a written 7-day notice to quit.

“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.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134(2)

Summary proceedings for possession are available when a person holds over after failing to pay rent due within 7 days from service of a written demand for possession for nonpayment.

“When a person holds over premises after failing or refusing to pay rent due under the lease or agreement by which the person holds the premises within 7 days from the service of a written demand for possession for nonpayment of the rent due.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714(1)(a)

Paying to stop an eviction

Where the statute's exceptions do not apply, a writ of restitution may not issue until 10 days after entry of the judgment for possession.

“a writ of restitution must not be issued until the expiration of 10 days after the entry of the judgment for possession.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5744(5), (7)

For a judgment for possession based on nonpayment under a tenancy, the writ of restitution must not issue if the judgment amount with taxed costs is paid within the time provided.

“If a judgment for possession is for nonpayment of money due under a tenancy or for nonpayment of money required to be paid under or any other material breach of an executory contract for purchase of the premises, the writ of restitution must not be issued if, within the time provided, the amount stated in the judgment, with the taxed costs, is paid to the plaintiff”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5744(7)

Ending a month-to-month or other periodic tenancy

An estate at will or by sufferance may be terminated by either party with 1 month's notice; where rent is payable at intervals under 3 months, notice equal to the payment interval is sufficient.

“Except as provided otherwise in this section, 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.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134(1)

Lockouts and utility shutoffs

A tenant whose possessory interest is unlawfully interfered with by the owner may recover actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence, and recover possession if lost.

“Any tenant in possession of premises whose possessory interest has been unlawfully interfered with by the owner is entitled to recover the amount of his or her actual damages or $200.00, whichever is greater, for each occurrence and, if possession has been lost, to recover possession.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2918(2)

Unlawful interference includes changing, altering or adding to locks without immediately providing keys to the person in possession.

“(c) Changing, altering, or adding to the locks or other security devices on the property without immediately providing keys or other unlocking devices to the person in possession.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2918(2)(c), (f)

A person forcibly and unlawfully ejected or kept out may recover 3 times actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, plus possession.

“Any person who is ejected or put out of any lands or tenements in a forcible and unlawful manner, or being out is afterwards held and kept out, by force, is entitled to recover 3 times the amount of his or her actual damages or $200.00, whichever is greater, in addition to recovering possession.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2918(1)

Retaliation

A judgment for possession may not be entered if the termination was intended primarily as a penalty for the tenant's attempt to enforce rights, complaint to a government authority about code violations, or lawful tenant-organization activity.

“(a) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as a penalty for the defendant's attempt to secure or enforce rights under the lease or agreement or under the laws of the state, of a governmental subdivision of this state, or of the United States. (b) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as a penalty for the defendant's complaint to a governmental authority with a report of plaintiff's violation of a health or safety code or ordinance. (c) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as retribution for a lawful act arising out of the tenancy, including membership in a tenant organization and a lawful activity of a tenant organization arising out of the tenancy.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5720(1)(a)-(c)

Court deadlines and the eviction case

In summary proceedings other than under § 600.5726, the summons commands the defendant to appear for trial within 10 days of issuance and must be served not less than 3 days before trial.

“Within 10 days of the issuance date of the summons in all other proceedings, in which event the summons shall be served not less than 3 days before the date set for trial.”
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5735(2)(b)

If you have received a notice

1. Write down the date you received it and how it was delivered.
2. Check what it asks for — payment, fixing a problem, or moving out — and the deadline it gives against the Michigan rules above.
3. Keep paying what you can document; ask for receipts.
4. If you receive court papers, note the response deadline on them; a legal-aid office or the court’s self-help center can help.

Check another situation with the eviction notice checker or the late fee checker.

Common questions

How much notice does a landlord in Michigan have to give for unpaid rent?

If a tenant neglects or refuses to pay rent, the landlord may terminate the tenancy with a written 7-day notice to quit. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134(2)).

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Michigan?

An estate at will or by sufferance may be terminated by either party with 1 month's notice; where rent is payable at intervals under 3 months, notice equal to the payment interval is sufficient. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134(1)).