Michigan Eviction Process and Laws: A 2026 Guide for Landlords

Author: SherRon Marcek · Category: Landlords · Read time: 8 min · Tags: Michigan eviction process, Michigan eviction laws, notice to quit, demand for possession, summary proceedings, order of eviction

In Michigan, a landlord cannot remove a tenant on their own. Eviction is a court-supervised process — called a summary proceeding — that begins with a written notice and ends, if the landlord prevails, with a court-ordered eviction carried out by a court officer or sheriff. Skipping steps, or resorting to “self-help” such as a lockout, can expose a landlord to statutory damages.

This guide explains the legal grounds for eviction, the written notice each ground requires, how a case moves through district court, and the rights a tenant keeps along the way — with links to the primary Michigan statutes for each point.

What Are the Legal Grounds for Eviction in Michigan?

A Michigan landlord must have a legal reason to end a tenancy and recover possession. The most common grounds, and the statutes that authorize them, are:

• Nonpayment of rent — the landlord may end the tenancy with a written 7-day notice to quit (MCL 554.134(2); see also MCL 600.5714(1)(a)).

• Ending an at-will or periodic (for example, month-to-month) tenancy — either party may terminate with notice equal to the rent interval, generally one month (MCL 554.134(1)).

• Holding over after a fixed lease term ends, or after the tenancy is otherwise terminated (MCL 600.5714(1)(c)).

• A serious and continuing health hazard, or extensive and continuing physical damage to the premises — a 7-day demand for possession (MCL 600.5714(1)(d)).

• The tenant, a household member, or a person under the tenant’s control caused or threatened physical injury to another person on the landlord’s property, and the police were notified — a 7-day notice to quit (MCL 600.5714(1)(e)).

• Illegal controlled-substance activity on the leased premises, supported by a formal police report — a written 24-hour notice to quit (MCL 554.134(4); MCL 600.5714(1)(b)).

How Much Notice Must a Michigan Landlord Give?

The required notice period depends on the reason for the eviction:

• 7 days — nonpayment of rent (MCL 554.134(2)).

• 24 hours — controlled-substance activity supported by a formal police report (MCL 554.134(4)).

• 7 days — a serious and continuing health hazard, or extensive and continuing damage to the property (MCL 600.5714(1)(d)).

• 7 days — injury or a threat of injury to another person on the property, with police notified (MCL 600.5714(1)(e)).

• One month, or a period equal to the rent interval — ending an at-will or periodic tenancy (MCL 554.134(1)).

• One year — ending a tenancy from year to year (MCL 554.134(3)).

What Must the Eviction Notice Say?

A demand for possession or notice to quit must be in writing. Under MCL 600.5716, it must be addressed to the person in possession; give the address or a brief description of the rental unit; clearly state the reason for the demand and the time to take any remedial action; state the amount due if the claim is for unpaid rent; and be dated and signed by the person entitled to possession, or their attorney or agent.

Michigan district courts publish the SCAO-approved forms landlords use for these notices and for the court case on the Michigan Courts landlord-tenant and land contract forms page.

Can a Michigan Landlord Evict Without Going to Court?

No. Only a court can order a tenant removed, and only a court officer, bailiff, sheriff, deputy, or authorized law-enforcement officer may carry out the eviction (MCL 600.5744).

Under MCL 600.2918, a person who is put out of a rental in a forcible and unlawful manner — or kept out by force — may recover three times their actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, in addition to regaining possession. Separately, a tenant whose possessory interest is unlawfully interfered with — for example, by changing the locks without providing a key, removing doors or windows, seizing belongings, or shutting off essential services such as heat, running water, hot water, electricity, or gas — may recover actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence. These remedies cannot be waived in a lease.

The Michigan Eviction Process, Step by Step

Once the notice period expires and the tenant has not paid, cured the problem, or moved out, the case moves to the district court for the county or district where the property is located. Michigan calls this a summary proceeding.

1. Serve the notice and wait out the notice period. The landlord serves the correct written demand for possession or notice to quit and lets the notice period run (for example, 7 days for nonpayment).

2. File the complaint and issue the summons. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files a complaint to recover possession, pays the filing fee, and the court issues a summons (SCAO form DC 104).

3. Serve the papers and hold the hearing. The tenant is served and may file a written answer. Both sides present their case at the hearing; a tenant who does not appear may lose by default.

4. Judgment for possession. If the court rules for the landlord, it enters a judgment for possession.

5. Order of eviction. If the tenant still does not leave, the landlord applies for an order of eviction — the statute calls it a writ of restitution — authorizing a court officer or the sheriff to remove the tenant and their belongings (SCAO form DC 107; MCL 600.5744).

How Long After a Judgment Can a Tenant Be Evicted?

For most tenancies, an order of eviction (writ of restitution) cannot be issued until 10 days after the judgment for possession is entered (MCL 600.5744(5)). A court may allow it sooner in limited situations — for example, illegal drug activity under section 5714(1)(b), or a serious and continuing health hazard or extensive damage the tenant refuses to fix (MCL 600.5744(3)).

In a nonpayment case, the tenant can stop the eviction by paying the amount stated in the judgment, plus taxed court costs, within the time the court allows; if they do, the order of eviction will not be issued (MCL 600.5744(7)).

Once issued, an order of eviction in a tenancy case must be carried out within 56 days (SCAO form DC 107).

What Rights Do Tenants Keep During a Michigan Eviction?

• The right to written notice stating the reason for the eviction and any time to fix the problem before a case is filed (MCL 600.5716).

• The right to a court hearing and to raise defenses — such as improper notice, improper service, payment already made, or the landlord’s failure to make required repairs — before any removal.

• In a nonpayment case, the right to “pay and stay” by paying the judgment amount plus costs before the order of eviction issues (MCL 600.5744(7)).

• Protection from self-help removal; only a court officer or sheriff may carry out an eviction, and unlawful lockouts or utility shutoffs carry statutory damages (MCL 600.2918).

• Additional “just cause” protections for tenants in public housing and mobile-home parks (MCL 600.5714(2)–(3)).

• Tenants who cannot afford a lawyer can find free or low-cost help through Michigan Legal Help, the self-help resource referenced on the court’s own summons form.

Where Can I Read Michigan’s Eviction Statutes?

Michigan’s eviction rules come from two places: the provision on ending a tenancy in the Revised Statutes of 1846 (MCL 554.134) and the summary-proceedings sections of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, including MCL 600.5714 (grounds), MCL 600.5716 (notice contents), and MCL 600.5744 (order of eviction). You can read each section in full on the official Michigan Legislature website.

This article is provided by PayRent for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Michigan laws change, and how they apply can depend on your specific circumstances — always confirm current requirements with the official Michigan Compiled Laws or a licensed attorney before acting. Learn more about how PayRent helps landlords collect rent and track payments at payrent.com.