Michigan statute guide
Michigan Security Deposit Statute Guide
Michigan's security deposit rules are in the Landlord-Tenant Relationships Act, MCL 554.601 et seq. The renter-facing urgency starts with the 4-day written forwarding-address rule after termination of occupancy, then the statute moves through the deposit cap, financial institution or bond handling, inventory checklist, 30-day damages notice, 7-day tenant response, and 45-day disputed-deposit action rule. That sequence is what gives the renter leverage when the landlord misses a step.
Plain-English map of the statute
- MCL 554.602: caps the security deposit at one and one-half months' rent.
- MCL 554.603: requires landlord notice of contact information, financial institution or surety information, and the tenant's 4-day written forwarding-address obligation.
- MCL 554.604: addresses regulated financial institution deposit handling and the bond option.
- MCL 554.607: limits the purposes for which a deposit may be used.
- MCL 554.608: covers commencement and termination inventory checklists.
- MCL 554.609: requires the 30-day itemized damages list and any balance.
- MCL 554.611 and 554.612: cover the tenant's forwarding address and response to claimed damages.
- MCL 554.613: covers the 45-day lawsuit-or-return step for disputed damages and remedy consequences.
Why the statute is easy to misread
The 30-day damages notice is only one part of the Michigan process. If the tenant misses the written forwarding-address step, the landlord may be relieved from the normal itemized-damages notice requirement, and the tenant's cleanest recovery path can become harder. A tenant who receives an itemized damages list should also watch the 7-day response window. A landlord claiming disputed damages may need to take action within 45 days after termination of occupancy unless an exception applies.
Official sources
Source reviewed: April 2026.
Related Michigan guides
- Michigan security deposit deadline
- Deposit not returned in Michigan
- Michigan move-out checklist
- Michigan security deposit demand letter
The statute map above gives you the rule structure. The paid system gives you the Michigan letters that apply those rules in order and keep the proof aligned with the statute.
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