A Michigan lease agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines all lease terms a landlord and tenant agree to when renting residential property.
The document must be written according to Michigan landlord-tenant rental laws and include the names and contact information of the landlord and tenant, the address of the property, disclosures regarding health and safety hazards, lease term, rent details, and security deposit specifics.
By Type
Commercial Lease Agreement
Establishes a tenancy so a business can rent commercial property from a landlord.
Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
Permits a tenant to buy a property after their tenancy but doesn't oblige them to do so.
Month-to-Month Rental Agreement
Presents residents with the opportunity for flexible month-to-month living arrangements, without the need for a long-term commitment.
Sublease Agreement
Establishes a formal agreement between the original tenant (sublessor) and the sublessee, enabling the latter to temporarily reside in the rental property with the explicit approval of the landlord.
Room Rental Agreement
Enable a formalized cohabitation by setting up a legally binding contract between a main tenant and additional residents.
Laws
Overview
Rent Control: No.
Limit on Late Fees: No.
Late Fees in Rental Agreement: Yes.
Grace Period: No.
License Required for Landlord: No.
Required Lease Disclosures
Michigan state law has specific requirements for landlords and tenants when entering a lease agreement (Chapter 554 of the Michigan Compiled Laws):
- Identification. Landlord’s name and address where the tenant can send legal notices.
- Domestic Violence Victims Notice. A tenant who reasonably fears for their safety or for their child due to sexual assault, stalking, or domestic violence may break their lease and be relieved from rent obligations after providing a written statement (§ 554.601b). The following statement must be included:
“NOTICE: A tenant who has a reasonable apprehension of present danger to him or her or his or her child from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may have special statutory rights to seek a release of rental obligation under MCL 554.601b.”
- Security Deposit Notice. If a landlord requires a security deposit, the tenant must receive written notice of the landlord’s name and address, the name of the financial institution or surety holding the deposit, and a security deposit receipt. The tenant is obligated to provide the landlord with a forwarding address upon move-out (§ 554.603). The notice must include the following statement in twelve-point bold-face font:
“YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR LANDLORD IN WRITING WITHIN 4 DAYS AFTER YOU MOVE OF A FORWARDING ADDRESS WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED AND WHERE YOU WILL RECEIVE MAIL; OTHERWISE YOUR LANDLORD SHALL BE RELIEVED OF SENDING YOU AN ITEMIZED LIST OF DAMAGES AND THE PENALTIES ADHERENT TO THAT FAILURE.”
- Truth in Renting Act Disclosure. A landlord must include a notification of the Michigan Truth in Renting Act, which regulates rental agreements and outlines specific disclosures and provision prohibitions (§ 554.634). The following statement must be included in twelve-point font or in legible print with letters no less than 1/8 inch:
“NOTICE: Michigan law establishes rights and obligations for parties to rental agreements. This agreement is required to comply with the Truth in Renting Act. If you have a question about the interpretation or legality of a provision of this agreement, you may want to seek assistance from a lawyer or other qualified person.”
- Inventory Checklist. Landlords must provide their tenants with a rental inspection checklist, after which the tenant has one week to review the list and return a copy to the landlord (§ 554.608). Said checklist must include the following statement in twelve-point bold-face font:
“YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THIS CHECKLIST, NOTING THE CONDITION OF THE RENTAL PROPERTY, AND RETURN IT TO THE LANDLORD WITHIN 7 DAYS AFTER OBTAINING POSSESSION OF THE RENTAL UNIT. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A COPY OF THE LAST TERMINATION INVENTORY CHECKLIST WHICH SHOWS WHAT CLAIMS WERE CHARGEABLE TO THE LAST PRIOR TENANTS.“
- Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards. According to federal law, the lead-based paint disclosure needs to be provided to the tenant before occupancy for any building built before 1978 (Title 42 U.S. Code § 4852(d)).
Security Deposit
State law mandates that a landlord cannot charge a tenant more than one and a half of the monthly rent for a security deposit (§ 554.602).
If there is damage to the rental unit, an itemized list of the damages, along with the difference between the damages claimed and the security deposit must be returned to the tenant within 30 days of the termination or end of the lease (§ 554.609).
Landlord Right of Entry
It is always recommended that a landlord give prior notice to a tenant before entering the premises. However, Michigan law does not require it (no statute).
Sample
Use the free Michigan residential lease agreement template below to document your tenant’s legally binding terms and conditions.
