Michigan Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Michigan, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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Michigan deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1.5 months' rent
As of 2026. Source: Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Michigan landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Michigan landlord can charge?
Yes: 1.5 months' rent (as of 2026; source: Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in Michigan if the landlord ignores this?
$7,000 for claims filed on or after January 1, 2024, under the statutory step schedule in MCL 600.8401 ($5,500 in 2015, $6,000 in 2018, $6,500 in 2021, $7,000 in 2024 — no further scheduled increases). The court is the Small Claims Division of the District Court, and the filing fee is Statutory tiers under MCL 600.8420: $25 (claims to $600), $45 ($600.01-$1,750), $65 (over $1,750); court fee schedules commonly show $30/$50/$70 with the statewide $5 electronic filing fee added.. As of 2026; source: MCL 600.8401 (limit); MCL 600.8408 (no attorneys); MCL 600.8420 (fees).
Do I need a lawyer in Michigan small claims?
Attorneys are NOT allowed — MCL 600.8408(1) bars attorneys (except on their own behalf), collection agencies, and other representatives from taking part in filing, prosecution, or defense in the small claims division.. Source: MCL 600.8401 (limit); MCL 600.8408 (no attorneys); MCL 600.8420 (fees) (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Michigan compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Indiana (45 days), Ohio (30 days), Wisconsin (21 days).
The rest of what Michigan requires
The figures below are Michigan's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Michigan page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1.5 months' rent Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 7 days to pay or quit MCL 554.134 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 30 days MCL 554.134 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $7,000 MCL 600.8401 (limit); MCL 600.8408 (no attorneys); MCL 600.8420 (fees) ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims Division of the District Court · filing fee Statutory tiers under MCL 600.8420: $25 (claims to $600), $45 ($600.01-$1,750), $65 (over $1,750); court fee schedules commonly show $30/$50/$70 with the statewide $5 electronic filing fee added. MCL 600.8401 (limit); MCL 600.8408 (no attorneys); MCL 600.8420 (fees) ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit Michigan Legislature ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Michigan SoS / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required Mich. Comp. Laws §556.205 (form §556.401) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules MCL 450.4102(2)(r) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Register of Deeds · no witnesses MCL 565.8 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Michigan legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →