Eviction Law in Michigan
Being a landlord in Michigan can come with its share of headaches. When tenants stop paying rent, violate lease terms, or refuse to move out, your investment—and your peace of mind—are both at risk. Eviction might feel like the only path forward, but the legal process isn’t something you want to navigate blindly.
We can connect you with an experienced local attorney who understands landlord rights. They can help you handle the process legally and effectively.
What Is an Eviction?
An eviction begins when a landlord formally notifies a tenant that they must leave the property—usually due to unpaid rent or a serious lease violation. While that may sound straightforward, the process in Michigan can be more complicated than many landlords expect.
State law includes built-in protections for tenants, and failing to follow the correct steps can delay or even derail the case. That’s why understanding how eviction works under Michigan law is critical before moving forward.
It’s also worth noting that not every eviction notice ends with a tenant being removed. In many cases, the notice serves as a final warning. If the tenant pays what’s owed or corrects the violation within the required time, you may be able to resolve the situation without involving the court.
When Can Landlords Send a Termination Notice?
The Tenant Doesn’t Pay Rent
If a tenant in Michigan regularly pays rent late—or stops paying altogether—you have valid grounds to consider eviction. While some states allow a grace period for the occasional delay, Michigan landlords can issue a demand for payment as soon as rent is overdue. Chronic late payments aren’t protected, and the law supports landlords who enforce the terms of their lease.
According to Michigan law, tenants must pay the full amount owed within seven days of receiving a written demand. If they fail to do so, you can move forward with the formal eviction process. This short timeline makes it especially important to act quickly and keep your documentation in order from the start.
Whenever a tenant pays late, send a written notice and save a copy for your records. If the issue ends up in court, a clear paper trail showing missed payments and previous warnings can strengthen your position.
The Tenant Violates the Terms or Conditions of the Lease Agreement
A lease is a legal contract, and when a tenant violates its terms—whether by housing unauthorized occupants, keeping pets against the rules, or using the property improperly—you may have grounds to start the eviction process.
The key is that the violation must be clearly outlined in the lease and properly documented. Michigan law allows landlords to enforce the lease, but only when the rules are specific and the process is followed correctly.
It’s also important to remember that the lease binds both parties. As a Michigan landlord, you’re expected to uphold your responsibilities just as much as the tenant. That includes making necessary repairs, maintaining the property as promised, and respecting the terms you agreed to.
The Tenant Damages the Property
Some level of wear and tear is expected when someone lives in a rental—scuffed floors, chipped paint, or worn blinds come with everyday use. But when the damage goes beyond normal living—such as broken windows, holes in walls, or deliberate destruction—you may have legal grounds to pursue eviction.
Before taking that step, consider how the tenant responds. If they acknowledge the damage, take responsibility, and make appropriate repairs without altering the property further, eviction might not be necessary. But if the damage is repeated, serious, or left unresolved, it’s important to document everything and prepare to take legal action.
The Tenant Uses the Property for Illegal Purposes
If your tenant is using your Michigan rental property for illegal activity—such as drug sales, weapons trafficking, or other criminal conduct—you may have immediate grounds to pursue eviction. These actions not only violate the lease but also put you, your property, and your neighbors at serious risk. In many cases, notifying law enforcement can lead to both criminal charges and a stronger legal position in housing court.
That said, you’ll need solid evidence to support your claim. Police reports, incident records, or documented complaints from neighbors can help demonstrate a pattern of illegal use.
How to Evict a Tenant in Michigan
Step 1. Check Your Local Laws
Eviction laws aren’t the same everywhere, and in Michigan, the rules can differ depending on the type of property and where it’s located. Before moving forward with any action, it’s important to understand what the law allows—and what it doesn’t.
Michigan law outlines nine legal grounds for eviction. The most common is nonpayment of rent, but other valid reasons include damaging the property, creating a health or safety risk, or engaging in illegal drug activity. There are also separate rules that apply to tenants in public housing or mobile home communities.
Step 2. Give a Formal Notice of Eviction
If you’ve made every effort to resolve the issue and your tenant still refuses to follow the terms of the lease, it’s time to move forward with a formal eviction notice. In Michigan, this notice acts as a legal warning—and gives the tenant one final chance to fix the problem or vacate the property. It must clearly explain the lease violation and outline what steps the tenant can take to avoid eviction, such as paying the overdue rent or correcting a specific issue.
The notice should also include a firm deadline for compliance and the total amount owed if rent is involved. If you’re unsure how to draft an eviction notice, there are reliable templates available online, or you can work with a Michigan attorney to make sure the document meets legal standards.
According to state law, every eviction notice must include the following details:
- The tenant’s full name
- The rental property address
- The specific reason for eviction
- How much time the tenant has to resolve the issue
- The date the notice is issued
- The landlord’s signature
Once completed, the notice must be properly served. Michigan law allows for three methods: hand-delivering the notice directly to the tenant, giving it to another adult at the property, or mailing it to the tenant’s address.
Step 3. File the Eviction with the Court
Once the notice period has passed and the tenant has not resolved the issue, the next step is to file your eviction case with the court. This should be done promptly—delays can complicate your case or restart your timeline.
In Michigan, most eviction cases are handled in the District Courts. They have jurisdiction over nearly all landlord-tenant disputes.
Step 4. Contact an Experienced Michigan Eviction Attorney and Prepare for the Hearing
It’s a good idea to speak with a Michigan eviction attorney as early as possible—especially if the tenant is likely to contest the case. A lawyer can help you build a strong file, ensure your notice was properly served, and make sure everything is ready for court. Even if the facts are on your side, being disorganized or unprepared can hurt your chances of success.
Make sure to bring the following documents to your hearing:
- A signed copy of the lease agreement
- A detailed record of rent payments, including missed or partial payments
- Any bounced or returned checks
- Copies of written communication with the tenant (letters, emails, texts)
- A copy of the eviction notice you served
- Proof the tenant received the notice (e.g., signed receipt or sworn statement)
Step 5. Evict the Tenant
If the judge rules in your favor, the court will issue a judgment for possession, giving the tenant a short window—typically 10 days—to vacate the property. If they fail to leave during that time, you’ll need to request a writ of eviction from the court. This document authorizes the local sheriff or court officer to remove the tenant from the premises.
Under Michigan law, landlords cannot carry out an eviction themselves. You’re not allowed to change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant’s belongings.
Step 6. Collect Past-Due Rent Payments
Winning the eviction case is one step—but collecting unpaid rent can be a separate challenge. If your tenant still owes money after leaving the property, you may need to take additional legal steps to recover what you’re owed. Fortunately, Michigan law gives landlords several options for pursuing a debt after a judgment is entered.
You can attempt to collect through:
- Filing for wage garnishment through the court
- Requesting garnishment of the tenant’s state tax refund
- Hiring a licensed debt collection agency
- Suing in small claims court if you didn’t already receive a money judgment
Work with an Experienced Eviction Attorney in Michigan
In Michigan, tenants often push back by claiming that the eviction notice wasn’t properly served or that key steps in the process were missed. That’s why it’s so important to get everything right from the start.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area! We can even help you connect with an attorney across Michigan state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
