Security Deposit Laws in Michigan
Michigan caps security deposits at 1.5 months' rent and requires landlords to mail an itemized notice of damages with any remaining balance within 30 days after the tenant moves out.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Michigan at a glance
- Security deposit limit
- 1.5 months' rent
- Deposit return deadline
- 30 days
- 30 days after termination of occupancy (itemized notice of damages with balance)
- Interest on deposits
- Not required by state law
- Some cities have their own interest rules
- Notice before landlord entry
- No statutory period
- No statute specifies notice
The rules in Michigan
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Michigan?
Michigan limits security deposits to 1.5 months' rent.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Michigan?
Michigan rule: 30 days after termination of occupancy (itemized notice of damages with balance).
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Michigan?
No. Michigan state law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Some cities have their own rules.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Michigan?
Michigan has no statute that sets a notice period for landlord entry, so the lease usually governs. Giving reasonable advance notice is common practice.
Where do the Michigan rules for residential leases come from?
They come from MCL 554.602 Security deposit limit, MCL 554.609 Notice of damages and MCL 554.613 Landlord action or return within 45 days. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Michigan compares
Michigan is one of 30 jurisdictions that cap deposits by law. Its 30-day return deadline is the same as the most common deadline of 30 days; 15 jurisdictions require a faster return.
What this means in practice
Landlords: state the deposit amount, where it is held and how it will be returned in the lease, and send the refund with any deductions in writing within the deadline.
Tenants: record the unit's condition with photos and a move-in checklist, keep your receipts, and give the landlord a forwarding address in writing when you move out.
Both sides: normal wear and tear is generally not deductible. Disputes over deductions usually go to small claims court.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.