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Security deposit · Michigan

30 days after occupancy ends.

By housr editorsStatute text checked 2026-10-05Legal review pending
A named legal reviewer hasn't signed this page yet. We read and quoted the statute ourselves on 2026-10-05. Until review, this page isn't indexed by search engines. This is information, not legal advice. See legal review.
The short answerMCL 554.609
Deadline30 calendar days
Before it appliesYour address within 4 days of leaving
If kept in bad faithA landlord who doesn't comply fully waives all claimed damages and is liable for double the amount retained

The rule

In Michigan, the clock starts when: occupancy ends. The landlord then has 30 calendar days. The statute says:

“…the landlord shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, a notice of damages that contains an itemized list of damages claimed…”

You must give your new address in writing within 4 days after you leave, and answer a notice of damages within 7 days.

For example, if you returned the keys on Oct 25, 2026, the date would be Nov 24, 2026. Use the Clock for your own dates.

What the landlord has to send

A notice of damages with an itemized list and the estimated cost of repairing each item, sent with a check for any balance.

“The tenant shall notify the landlord in writing at the address given under section 4 within 4 days after termination of his occupancy of an address at which communications pursuant to this act may be received.”
MCL 554.611
“"You must respond to this notice by mail within 7 days after receipt of the notice of damages, otherwise you will forfeit the amount claimed for damages."”
MCL 554.609(4)
“Within 45 days after termination of the occupancy and not thereafter the landlord may commence an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for a money judgment for damages which he has claimed or in lieu thereof return the balance of the security deposit held by him to the tenant…”
MCL 554.613(1)

Do this

Send your new address in writing

Michigan gives you 4 days after you leave to tell the landlord, in writing, where to send notices. Miss it and the landlord no longer has to send you a notice of damages. MCL 554.611

On move-out day

Give your forwarding address in writing and keep proof of sending. Photograph every room before you return the keys.

Your own deadline: 7 days

Answer the notice of damages by mail within 7 days of receiving it, saying in detail what you agree or disagree with, or you forfeit the amount claimed. It counts from receipt of the notice of damages. MCL 554.612

Deductions and wear and tear

Michigan's statute limits what can be kept to the purposes it lists. We haven't summarised its wear-and-tear language yet; read the section linked above.

For a charge to replace something old, Fair Charge works out a prorated estimate from the item's age and useful life, and says where the useful life comes from. See also the item guides for carpet, paint and cleaning.

If the deadline passes

A landlord who doesn't comply fully waives all claimed damages and is liable for double the amount retained.

“Failure of the landlord to comply fully with this section constitutes waiver of all claimed damages and makes him liable to the tenant for double the amount of the security deposit retained.”
MCL 554.613(2)

The usual first step is a written demand that states the date the deposit was due and cites the statute. Our demand letter does that and carries any disputed deductions.

Your next steps

Sources

  1. MCL 554.609 · checked 2026-10-05

Information, not legal advice. Statutes are quoted from official legislature sites; summaries are ours. Spotted an error? Tell us.