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Eviction rules depend on the state. Which state is the rental in?

Michigan eviction laws

Notices, deadlines, court and tenant rights in Michigan — in plain English.

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Overview

The court case
Summary proceedings to recover possession (landlord-tenant)
Court
Michigan District Court (or municipal court) where the property is located
Main laws
MCL 600.5701-600.5759 (summary proceedings; notices 600.5714, 600.5716, 600.5718); MCL 554.134; MCR 4.201

Just-cause protection

No statewide law

Michigan has no statewide just-cause rule and bans local rent control. A periodic tenancy can be ended without a reason with proper notice. Ann Arbor has a local 'right to renew' (just-cause) ordinance. (MCL 554.134; MCL 123.411)

Notices before filing, by reason

What a landlord must serve before filing — and what a tenant should expect to receive.

Unpaid rent — Demand for Possession - Nonpayment of Rent

The landlord must serve a written 7-day Demand for Possession for nonpayment (form DC 100a). If the tenant pays in full within 7 days, the landlord cannot file. The tenant can also pay the judgment amount plus costs before the writ issues to stay in the unit.

Demand for Possession - Nonpayment of Rent

Notice period
7 days
Counting
Count calendar days starting the day after service. If the notice is mailed, add 1 day (Double-check with the court: SCAO form instructions). Do not file until the day after the last day of the notice period.
Tenant can fix it?
Yes, within the notice period
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Amount of rent due and the period
  • Statement that the tenant must pay or move out within 7 days of service
  • Landlord name, address, signature and date
  • Proof of service section completed
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); First-class mail; Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver to the tenant personally; or leave it at the unit with a household member of suitable age and discretion, asking them to give it to the tenant; or send it by first-class mail to the tenant's address; or by electronic service if the tenant agreed in writing. Complete the proof of service on the form.
Official form
SCAO form DC 100a, Demand for Possession, Nonpayment of Rent
Law
MCL 600.5714(1)(a), 600.5716
  • The demand may include only rent, not late fees or other charges, unless the lease defines them as rent. VERIFY lease wording.
  • Detroit: a Certificate of Compliance (rental registration) is required to collect rent; tenants can raise lack of compliance as a defense.
The tenant broke the lease or rules — Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property (Lease Violation)

If the lease allows termination for a violation, the landlord serves a written Notice to Quit (form DC 100c). The notice period is the one stated in the lease; if the lease is silent, use at least 30 days (one rental period). For serious damage or health hazards, a 7-day Demand for Possession (DC 100b) is used.

Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property (Lease Violation)

Notice period
30 days
Counting
Count calendar days starting the day after service. If the notice is mailed, add 1 day (Double-check with the court: SCAO form instructions). Do not file until the day after the last day of the notice period.
Tenant can fix it?
No
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Reason for termination (lease violation) with specifics
  • Date by which the tenant must move out
  • Landlord signature and date
  • Proof of service
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); First-class mail; Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver to the tenant personally; or leave it at the unit with a household member of suitable age and discretion, asking them to give it to the tenant; or send it by first-class mail to the tenant's address; or by electronic service if the tenant agreed in writing. Complete the proof of service on the form.
Official form
SCAO form DC 100c, Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property
Law
MCL 600.5714(1)(c); MCL 554.134
  • The lease must contain a clause allowing termination for the violation (MCL 600.5714(1)(c)).
  • Double-check with the court: 30 days is the common default; the lease may specify a different period.
The lease ended and the tenant stayed — Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property (End of Lease)

When a fixed-term lease expires, the landlord may file if the tenant stays past the end date. Michigan practice is to serve a Notice to Quit (DC 100c) before the lease ends; courts often expect it.

Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property (End of Lease)

Notice period
30 days
Counting
Count calendar days starting the day after service. If the notice is mailed, add 1 day (Double-check with the court: SCAO form instructions). Do not file until the day after the last day of the notice period.
Tenant can fix it?
No
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Statement that the lease ends and the date the tenant must leave
  • Landlord signature and date
  • Proof of service
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); First-class mail; Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver to the tenant personally; or leave it at the unit with a household member of suitable age and discretion, asking them to give it to the tenant; or send it by first-class mail to the tenant's address; or by electronic service if the tenant agreed in writing. Complete the proof of service on the form.
Official form
SCAO form DC 100c, Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property
Law
MCL 554.134; MCL 600.5714
  • Double-check with the court: a fixed-term lease ending on its date may not legally require a notice, but most Michigan courts expect one; 30 days' notice before the end date is safest.
Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no fault) — Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property (Termination of Tenancy)

A month-to-month tenancy can be ended without a reason by a Notice to Quit giving at least one month's notice (one full rental period). For rent paid at shorter intervals, notice equal to the interval is enough.

Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property (Termination of Tenancy)

Notice period
30 days (week-to-week: 7 days, month-to-month: 30 days)
Longer notice
Year-to-year tenancy: VERIFY - MCL 554.134 has special rules; give at least one year's notice ending at the end of a lease year unless the lease says otherwise.
Counting
Count calendar days starting the day after service. If the notice is mailed, add 1 day (Double-check with the court: SCAO form instructions). Do not file until the day after the last day of the notice period. For month-to-month, give at least one full rental period ending the day before rent is due.
Tenant can fix it?
No
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Statement that the tenancy is terminated and the date to move out (end of a rental period)
  • Landlord signature and date
  • Proof of service
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); First-class mail; Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver to the tenant personally; or leave it at the unit with a household member of suitable age and discretion, asking them to give it to the tenant; or send it by first-class mail to the tenant's address; or by electronic service if the tenant agreed in writing. Complete the proof of service on the form.
Official form
SCAO form DC 100c, Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property
Law
MCL 554.134(1)
  • Ann Arbor: tenants have a local right to renew their lease except for listed good-cause reasons.
Illegal activity, violence or serious damage — 24-Hour Notice to Quit (Controlled Substance Activity) → Demand for Possession - Damage/Health Hazard to Property

If the lease allows termination for illegal drug activity and a formal police report has been filed, the landlord may serve a 24-hour notice to quit. For serious damage or a health hazard, a 7-day Demand for Possession (DC 100b) is used.

24-Hour Notice to Quit (Controlled Substance Activity)

Notice period
1 days
Counting
24 hours after service.
Tenant can fix it?
No
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Statement that the tenancy is terminated because of manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance on the premises
  • Reference to the police report
  • Landlord signature and date
  • Proof of service
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); First-class mail; Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver to the tenant personally; or leave it at the unit with a household member of suitable age and discretion, asking them to give it to the tenant; or send it by first-class mail to the tenant's address; or by electronic service if the tenant agreed in writing. Complete the proof of service on the form.
Official form
SCAO form DC 100c, Notice to Quit to Recover Possession of Property (checking the controlled-substance box)
Law
MCL 554.134(4); MCL 600.5714(1)(b)

Demand for Possession - Damage/Health Hazard to Property

Notice period
7 days
Counting
Count calendar days starting the day after service. If the notice is mailed, add 1 day (Double-check with the court: SCAO form instructions). Do not file until the day after the last day of the notice period.
Tenant can fix it?
No
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Description of the serious damage or health hazard
  • Statement that the tenant must move out within 7 days
  • Landlord signature and date
  • Proof of service
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); First-class mail; Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver to the tenant personally; or leave it at the unit with a household member of suitable age and discretion, asking them to give it to the tenant; or send it by first-class mail to the tenant's address; or by electronic service if the tenant agreed in writing. Complete the proof of service on the form.
Official form
SCAO form DC 100b, Demand for Possession, Damage/Health Hazard to Property
Law
MCL 600.5714(1)(d)
  • Use the 24-hour notice only when the lease has a controlled-substance termination clause and a formal police report was filed; otherwise use DC 100b or DC 100c.
  • The wizard should present these as alternatives: pick the one that fits the facts.

How a tenant responds

No written answer is required before the first hearing. The tenant must appear at the hearing date on the summons (served at least 3 days before if in person, more if mailed); the tenant may answer orally or in writing at or before the hearing. The court may adjourn for up to 7 days for trial. If the tenant does not appear, a default judgment is entered.

Deadline: at the hearing (no fixed written-answer deadline) · Form: SCAO form DC 111, Answer, Landlord-Tenant (optional) · MCR 4.201(G); MCL 600.5735

City and local rules

  • Detroit: rental properties must be registered and hold a Certificate of Compliance; tenants have a right to counsel in eviction cases (Right to Counsel ordinance).
  • Ann Arbor: 'right to renew' ordinance limits non-renewal to listed good-cause reasons; also requires notices about renewal timing.
  • Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo: source-of-income protections; VERIFY other local rules.

Official court forms

Landlords

  • DC 100a — Demand for Possession, Nonpayment of Rent
  • DC 102a — Complaint, Nonpayment of Rent, Landlord-Tenant
  • DC 104 — Summons, Landlord-Tenant

Tenants

  • DC 111a — Answer, Nonpayment of Rent, Landlord-Tenant

All Michigan forms →

Sources

Checked 2026-09. General information, not legal advice; laws change and courts differ. We strive for accuracy but don’t guarantee it.