Landlords who want to know more about the Michigan eviction process should understand all applicable laws before attempting to remove a tenant from a rental property. Tenants who face eviction also have rights under Michigan landlord-tenant law, including the right to proper written notice, a court hearing, and protection from self-help or retaliatory eviction.
This guide outlines legal grounds for eviction, each step in the process, typical timelines and costs, and other practical advice for property owners. Keep reading to get up to speed.
What is an eviction in the state of Michigan?
Eviction in Michigan is a court action a landlord takes to remove a tenant from a rental property. Landlords often initiate this process when tenants fail to pay rent, violate important lease terms, or create health or safety issues. Michigan law requires landlords to follow a clear, step-by-step legal process for every eviction.
You can find Michigan’s eviction laws, also known as the Summary Proceedings Act, in sections 600.5701 through 600.5759 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
Common Reasons for Eviction in Michigan
Michigan law allows landlords to remove tenants for several legally supported reasons, such as:
Failure to Pay Rent
Michigan law does not set a statutory grace period for rent payments, so landlords may treat rent as overdue the day after it becomes due unless the lease provides additional time. Late rent is considered a “curable” issue, meaning the tenant can resolve it by paying the full balance. In cases of unpaid rent, landlords should serve a 7-Day Demand for Possession for Nonpayment of Rent, giving the tenant 7 days to pay before the landlord can initiate eviction proceedings in court.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5714(1)(a), § 600.5716
Breach of the Lease Agreement
A signed lease binds the landlord and tenant to the agreed-upon terms, and a tenant who breaches those terms may allow the landlord to initiate the eviction process. A clear Michigan lease agreement defines these terms. Some examples of lease breaches are:
- Keeping a pitbull in a Detroit duplex garage, despite a no-pets clause.
- Installing a wood-burning stove in a Grand Rapids rental without permission.
- Hosting unapproved short-term guests for paid stays in an Ann Arbor apartment.
Michigan law treats certain minor lease breaches as curable; in such instances, the landlord should serve a 30-Day Notice to Quit to the tenant. More serious violations do not qualify as curable; however, the landlord may serve a 7-Day Notice to Quit to proceed with eviction. Every eviction based on a breach of lease terms requires the correct form of notice.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5714(1)(c), § 600.5716
Illegal Activity on the Premises
When a tenant commits a crime in a rental unit that threatens the health, safety, or quiet enjoyment of others, a landlord can initiate the eviction process. Michigan law treats most illegal activity as incurable, but a landlord may treat certain minor conduct violations as curable and issue a 30-Day Notice to Quit to the tenant. The landlord must exercise judgment and determine which notice is appropriate for the situation.
For example, if a tenant runs a meth lab inside a Lansing rental home, the landlord can treat the issue as incurable and move forward with a 7-Day Notice to Quit. But if a tenant is found with three ounces of marijuana in the driveway, the landlord may treat the conduct as curable and instead issue a 30-Day Notice to Quit.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5714(1)(b), § 600.5716
Damage to the Rental Property
Michigan law allows landlords to remove a tenant who causes significant damage that violates the terms of their lease. The Summary Proceedings Act permits eviction “for breach of a condition of the lease,” which includes severe property damage. A tenant who fails to meet this standard risks eviction for clearly violating lease obligations.
When tenants cause serious damage beyond normal wear and tear, landlords should document every detail with time-stamped photos, written notes, and repair estimates to support their case in court. The severity of the damage determines the landlord’s next move: either issuing a curable 30-Day Notice to Quit or an incurable 7-Day Notice to Quit.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5714(1)(c), § 600.5716
Health & Safety Violations
Michigan law allows eviction when a tenant “creates a serious and continuing health hazard.” As such, a tenant’s failure to address such conditions may lead the landlord to proceed with eviction.
A few examples of health and safety violations in Michigan include:
- Leaving rotting trash bags in a hallway that attracts rodents.
- Allowing black mold to grow in a rental’s basement unit by failing to report leaks.
- Running space heaters near flammable clutter in a room rental.
Michigan law requires landlords to comply with the state’s implied warranty of habitability, and tenants have an equal obligation to maintain safe and sanitary living conditions. Both parties must act quickly when health or safety risks arise.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5714(1)(d), § 600.5716
Tenant is in a Month-to-Month Rental Contract
A landlord in Michigan may terminate a month-to-month rental agreement without providing a reason, provided they serve proper notice to the tenant. In these cases, the landlord must deliver a written 30-Day Notice to Quit, as outlined in the Michigan month-to-month lease agreement, and state the exact date the tenant must leave. If the tenant remains past that deadline, the landlord may file a summons and eviction complaint to initiate the process in court.
When a tenant remains beyond the stated notice period, the landlord must take formal steps toward eviction through a local district court. Accepting rent after the termination date can restart the tenancy, so landlords should decline any payments once the notice expires.
Supporting law: MCL § 554.134(1), § 600.5714(1)(c)
The Complete Eviction Process in Michigan
The eviction process in Michigan begins when the landlord delivers proper notice, proceeds through court filings and hearings, and ends when law enforcement removes the tenant from the rental unit.
Here are the steps landlords must follow to pursue eviction, in order:
1. Landlord Issues Notice to the Tenant
When a tenant engages in conduct that constitutes grounds for eviction, the landlord should issue the appropriate notice. In certain cases (minor lease violations, late rent, etc.), the landlord may allow the tenant to correct the issue with a curable notice.
More serious conduct does not require a chance to cure; however, the landlord can issue a notice instructing the tenant to vacate by a firm deadline. Michigan law dictates which notices apply in which situations, so landlords should read the relevant statutes carefully to avoid issuing the wrong document.
Notice Forms & Timelines
- 7-Day Demand for Possession for Nonpayment of Rent: Landlords use this notice when a tenant fails to pay rent on time. This document requires the tenant to pay the full amount owed within 7 days.
- 30-Day Notice to Quit for Curable Lease Violations: Landlords use this notice when a tenant commits a minor, fixable lease violation and can correct the issue within the 30 days to avoid eviction.
- 7-Day Notice to Quit for Incurable Issues: Landlords use this notice when a tenant commits a serious violation, including illegal activity or behavior that creates health or safety risks. This notice requires the tenant to move out within 7 days.
- 30-Day Notice to Quit for Ending a Month-to-Month Tenancy: Landlords use this notice when ending a month-to-month rental agreement. Landlords do not need to give a reason to issue this notice.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5714, § 554.134
2. Landlord Files an Eviction Lawsuit With the Courts
When a Michigan tenant fails to cure a violation or remains in a unit past a move-out deadline, the landlord must file for eviction in court. The landlord would then file a Summons and Complaint for Summary Proceedings with the district court in the county where the rental property is located.
Filing fees in Michigan vary by county and case type but often range from between $55 to $150. After the landlord submits the required paperwork, the court clerk will set a hearing date, which usually takes place within 10 days of filing.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5735, § 600.5737
3. Court Summons Paperwork Served to Tenant
Once the clerk sets the eviction hearing date, the landlord must arrange for a sheriff, deputy sheriff, court officer, or certified process server to deliver the Summons and Complaint for Summary Proceedings to the tenant, along with a copy of the original notice. The server must then complete a Proof of Service form and file it with the district court before the hearing. If the court does not receive this form, the judge may dismiss the case and require the landlord to restart the process.
After receiving the Summons and Complaint for Summary Proceedings, the tenant is not required to complete any additional forms but must appear in court on the scheduled date. Failure to appear can result in an immediate default judgment in favor of the landlord.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5737, § 600.5739
4. Tenant and Landlord Attend an Eviction Hearing
When the court date arrives, the landlord and tenant, along with any legal representation, must appear before the judge for the eviction hearing. There, each side will present its account of the dispute and support it with photos, documents, messages, payment records, or other relevant evidence.
A judge may request more documentation, additional evidence, or witness statements to clarify outstanding questions. After both parties present their argument, the judge will review the evidence and consider all relevant details before moving the case forward.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5738, § 600.5741
5. Judge Reaches a Ruling
After reviewing all testimony, documents, and evidence, the judge will issue a ruling. In Michigan, judges often decide cases at the hearing, though they may take more time when the facts are complex or when additional documentation requires closer review.
If the judge rules in favor of the tenant, the tenant will continue living in the rental unit under the terms of the current lease. If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, the court will issue a Judgment for Possession, granting the landlord the legal right to recover possession of the property and moving the case to the next enforcement step.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5741, § 600.5744
6. Landlord Obtains a Writ of Restitution Authorizing Removal of Tenant
Once the judge issues a Judgment for Possession, the landlord may request a Writ of Restitution, authorizing law enforcement to remove the tenant if the tenant does not vacate by the final deadline.
After receiving the Writ of Restitution, the landlord will coordinate with local law enforcement to schedule the removal.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5744, § 600.5747
7. Law Enforcement Removes Tenant from Rental Property
If the Writ of Restitution deadline passes and the tenant has not yet left the rental property, law enforcement can proceed with physical removal (if the tenant doesn’t go willingly). In Michigan, a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or court officer will carry out the eviction. The landlord must avoid any form of self-help eviction, such as changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant’s belongings without a court order.
Michigan law does not create statewide rules for handling personal property left behind following an eviction, except in limited situations involving mobile homes. Because no general statute applies, the landlord may either follow the lease terms or exercise reasonable judgment in deciding how to handle a former tenant’s belongings.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5744, § 600.5747
Typical Eviction Timelines in Michigan
The eviction process in Michigan, from the landlord’s initial notice to the tenant’s removal, typically takes several weeks. Actual timelines vary based on court availability, the applicable notice, and whether the tenant decides to contest the case.
Here are the typical eviction timelines in Michigan:
| Stage | Typical timeframe | Supporting law |
| Demand for Possession for Nonpayment of Rent | 7 days | MCL § 600.5714(1)(a) |
| Notice to Quit (Curable Issue) | 30 days | MCL § 600.5714(1)(c) |
| Notice to Quit (Incurable Issue) | 7 days | MCL § 600.5714(1)(b) |
| Tenant response deadline | On or before the hearing date, which courts usually set within 10 days of filing | MCL § 600.5737 |
| Hearing scheduling | Courts typically schedule the hearing within 10 days after the summons is issued | MCL § 600.5737 |
| Writ enforcement | At least 10 days after entry of a Judgment for Possession | MCL § 600.5744 |
Landlord Retaliation & Harassment During Eviction
Michigan law prohibits landlords from retaliating against or harassing tenants at any time during a lease term, including during an eviction. Violating these rules can undermine a landlord’s eviction case and expose them to legal consequences.
Examples of landlord retaliation include:
- Raising rent after a tenant files a code complaint.
- Ending a tenancy soon after a tenant reports safety issues.
- Adding new lease terms to punish a tenant’s lawful requests.
Examples of landlord harassment include:
- Entering the rental unit without proper notice.
- Threatening eviction outside the court process.
- Shutting off utilities to pressure a tenant to move.
Tenants who experience retaliation or harassment should document every such incident with dates, messages, and photos. Clear records will strengthen any tenant’s response to improper conduct.
Supporting law: MCL § 600.5720
Tips for Tenants Seeking to Avoid Eviction
Tenants in Michigan can take steps to protect themselves against eviction. The tips below outline how tenants can prevent eviction before it reaches court.
Develop a good relationship with the landlord: Tenants who communicate clearly, respond promptly, and keep the rental unit in good condition tend to prevent minor issues from becoming major ones.
Know your rights and responsibilities: Tenants who review and understand Michigan landlord-tenant laws (and their lease terms) will know exactly how to address issues when they arise.
Address slip-ups promptly: Immediate outreach after a missed payment or a health and safety issue demonstrates accountability and can help prevent escalation.
Negotiate an alternative solution if possible: Tenants who propose payment plans, short extensions, or other temporary arrangements often find that landlords are willing to consider reasonable alternatives to eviction.
Seek legal help when necessary: Guidance from a housing attorney or legal aid group can help tenants facing eviction plan their next move. For affordable or free legal support, tenants can contact Michigan Legal Help.
Tips for Landlords Seeking to Evict Tenants
Successful eviction requires close attention to Michigan law, and landlords must follow each step to protect their rights and keep the eviction moving forward. The practices below can help landlords stay compliant throughout the process.
Never attempt self-help eviction: Landlords must steer clear of actions like changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant’s belongings. Michigan courts treat any form of self-help eviction as illegal and will likely dismiss an active eviction case if it occurs.
Know your Michigan landlord-tenant laws: A landlord who understands the relevant statutes will know the applicable notice requirements, entry rules, and tenant protections. Key statutes include the Truth in Renting Act and the Landlord and Tenant Relationships Act.
Consider a cash-for-keys settlement: A landlord may offer a voluntary move-out payment to a tenant to expedite the process for both parties. A thoughtful cash-for-keys agreement can help the tenant find new housing and resolve the issue without going to court.
Serve the proper notice: A landlord who issues the correct notice and abides by the legally required timelines will strengthen their case in court. Accurate service demonstrates to the court that the landlord has complied with Michigan’s procedural requirements.
Screen future tenants thoroughly: A landlord who checks an applicant’s rental, credit, income, and criminal history reduces the chance of trouble down the road. Strong screening practices help landlords identify tenants who will pay on time and follow lease terms.
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