Michigan security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Michigan: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 30 days under Michigan law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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Michigan security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 (30-day itemized list + payment); § 554.610 (effect of noncompliance); § 554.613(2) (double damages)

Within 30 days after termination of occupancy the landlord must MAIL an itemized list of claimed damages, including the estimated cost of repair of each item, ACCOMPANIED BY a check or money order for the difference between the damages claimed and the deposit (MCL 554.609). TENANT-SIDE CONDITION: the tenant must give a forwarding address in writing within 4 DAYS after termination of occupancy (554.611) — failure relieves the landlord of the damage-notice duty but does NOT destroy the tenant's claim to the deposit. Missing the 30 days "constitutes agreement by the landlord that no damages are due and he shall remit to the tenant immediately the full security deposit" (554.610). Timeline chain: if the tenant disputes in writing within 7 days of the notice, the landlord must SUE within 45 days of termination of occupancy (and not thereafter) or return the disputed balance, unless a 554.613(1) exception applies. Deposit cap: 1.5 months' rent. Move-in/move-out inventory checklists are mandatory. No interest is owed to the tenant.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Michigan?

Allowed

  • ✓Actual damages to the rental unit or ancillary facility that are the direct result of conduct not reasonably expected in the normal course of habitation (554.607(a))
  • ✓Rent in arrearage, rent due for premature termination by the tenant, and unpaid utility bills (554.607(b))

Not allowed

  • ✗Anything outside 554.607's two categories
  • ✗Damage already claimed on a previous termination inventory checklist before the tenant's occupancy
  • ✗Wear from the ordinary course of habitation

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Michigan?

Failure of the landlord to comply fully with § 554.613 (retaining a disputed deposit without obtaining a money judgment, absent a statutory exception) constitutes WAIVER of all claimed damages and makes the landlord liable for DOUBLE the amount of the security deposit retained (554.613(2)). No bad-faith element stated.

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 (30-day itemized list + payment); § 554.610 (effect of noncompliance); § 554.613(2) (double damages) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Michigan tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Michigan's official statutory text as of 2026-09-07. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Michigan.

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TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.