Michigan Rental Lease Agreement Templates

1.) Identification of the Landlord or Authorized Personel (§ 554.634) – Written leasing paperwork is obligated to include the names and addresses for all property owners and property management representatives.

2.) Move-in Checklist (§ 554.608) – The state of Michigan mandates that a completed inventory checklist must accompany every newly leased residence. The checklist is to be filled and signed by the tenant and returned to the landlord with seven (7) days. The inventory of damage to the home will be utilized for comparison once the lease term has come to an end.

3.) Domestic Violence Victims’ Rights Disclosure (§ 554.601b) – State statutes require supplemental language be included in the lease agreement or posted on the premises of the property as follows:

“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.”

4.) Truth in Renting Act (§ 554.634) – Supplying notification to the tenant of the obligation of the lease to adhere to the regulation upheld by the Truth in Renting Act is required. Legal compliance can be established by including the following statement in the leasing document:

“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.”

5.) Receipt of Security Deposit (§ 554.603) – Property owners requesting a security deposit will need to supply a written record of payment and information regarding the financial institution to hold the funds during the tenancy. The receipt must include the following statement as well:

“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.”

6.) Lead-Based Paint (42 U.S. Code § 4852d) – The federal government imposes that any house or apartment constructed in 1978 or prior requires additional disclosure to the dangers of lead-composed paints.

Grace Period: Leases can require grace periods while Michigan law does not mandate one (MI Comp L § 600.5714).
Unpaid Rent: Landlords respond to nonpayment with a 7-day notice of possession (Form DC 100a), before going to court.

Landlords may collect the full amount of the check plus $25; however, with noncompliant tenants:

• Landlords charge $35 dollars when the notice receives a negative answer (or none).
• Landlords seek court remedies where the tenant may be responsible for twice the check amount or $100 (whichever is greater) as well as $250 in costs (MCL § 600.2952).

Returning to Tenant: The landlord returns the security deposit amount within 30 days of the termination (MCL § 554.609).
Itemized List: Landlords must produce an itemized list of all deductions with security that adheres to several format requirements:

• 12-point typeface in body
• The title is at least 4 points larger than the main body of the notice
• It must contain this statement: “You must respond to this notice by mail within 7 days after receipt of same, otherwise you will forfeit the amount claimed for damages” (MCL § 554.609).

Standard Entry: Leases determine how the landlord and tenant coordinate for repairs; however, both must cooperate in maintaining the premises (MI Comp L § 554.139).
Emergency Entry: Landlords can never enter a premises when interfering with peaceful possession, but may enter temporarily for emergency repairs. (MCL § 600.2918(2)).

• Give the landlord a written 30-day notice (via certified mail)
• Produce supporting documentation, such as a protection order or police report
• Pay the rent up the first day of the second month once landlords receive notice (MI Comp L § 554.601b).

Active Military: Federal law supports military personnel whenever they must terminate a lease early to comply with their order (50 USC 3955).
Landlord Noncompliance: Tenants may not terminate the lease even for noncompliance; they must seek the proper court remedies accordingly (MCL – Section 554.139).
Landlord Harassment: Tenants must seek court relief whenever a landlord interferes with their “possessory interest” unlawfully (MCL – Section 600.2918.
Uninhabitable Living Conditions: Michigan requires leases to maintain habitability through court action while restricting self-help measures on either side. (MCL § 554.139; MCL § 600.2918)

All individuals involved in the leasing of property, both owner and tenant, must observe the rules expounded upon in the Michigan Compiled Laws – Chapter 554 on Real and Personal Property