Updated July 11, 2022
A Michigan lease agreement allows a landlord to lease their property to a tenant seeking to pay rent to occupy the space. The terms may vary, but commonly a standard lease is for a 1-year period with rent due on the first (1st) of each month. It is recommended for landlords to always screen their tenants to ensure they have the financial capability to pay rent on a monthly basis.
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Agreement Types (7)
Association of Realtors Lease Agreement – To be used by Realtors when representing a landlord or tenant in a rental arrangement.
Download: Adobe PDF
Commercial Lease Agreement – For a business use such as a store, restaurant, office, industrial, or any other type.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – A tenancy at will in accordance with § 554.134. The contract may be terminated within one (1) month’s notice.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement – Standard contract with a provision that allows for the sale of the premises within a particular timeline.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Room Rental (Roommate) Agreement – Shared housing between members of a dwelling to negotiate the services in the unit and times for cleaning and other duties.
Download: Adobe PDF
Standard Residential Lease Agreement – Residential arrangement with a start and end date for most common types of tenancies.
Download: Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Sublease Agreement – Designed for a tenant in a standard lease and would like to rent the property to someone else for the remainder of their term. Typically the landlord must agree to this type of tenancy.
Download: Adobe PDF
Required Disclosures (6)
Domestic Violence Victims – The landlord must write the following either in the rental contract, hung on the property, or delivered to the Tenant:
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.
Inventory Checklist (§ 554.608) – A list including the condition of the property must be returned to the landlord within seven (7) days of taking occupancy for which a security deposit is required.
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – A federal law that requires all landlords to disclose to their tenants, only if the residential unit was built before 1978, that the existence of this paint may pose a danger if exposed.
Notice Information (§ 554.634) – The landlord must provide in the lease an address where the tenant may be able to send legal notices.
Truth in Lending Act (§ 554.634) – All contracts must contain the following in 12-point font and no less than 1/8 inch in height.
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.
Security Deposit Receipt (§ 554.603) – Must be given by the landlord to the tenant including the financial institution where the funds are located. In addition, the following must be stated in the receipt, in at least 12 point font which must be at least 4 points larger than the rest of the document and in bold-faced lettering:
NOTICE: 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.
Security Deposits
Maximum (§ 554.602) – One and a half (1.5) months’ rent is the most a landlord may receive from a tenant.
Returning (§ 554.609) – Within thirty (30) days of the end of occupancy the landlord must send the tenant their deposit, along with any itemized deductions, their forwarding address.
When is Rent Due?
Michigan law does not set a rent due date, so rent is due on the date agreed on in the lease agreement.
Late Fees
There is no statutory maximum for a late rent fee, but the fee must be identified in the lease agreement and should be reasonable.
Right to Enter
There is no statute regarding a landlord’s right to access the property, but case law makes clear that landlords may enter in case of emergencies and to prevent damage to property.
Laws/Guides
Residential Laws – Chapter 554 (Real and Personal Property)
Handbook – Michigan Landlords and Tenant Guide