How many days does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Michigan?

Michigan law gives landlords 30 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, under Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 (30-day itemized list + payment); § 554.610 (effect of noncompliance); § 554.613(2) (double damages).

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Michigan?

Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 (30-day itemized list + payment); § 554.610 (effect of noncompliance); § 554.613(2) (double damages), allowed deductions generally include 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)) and rent in arrearage, rent due for premature termination by the tenant, and unpaid utility bills (554.607(b)). Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

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Michigan security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Michigan

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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When did you move out?

This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.

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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. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
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. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Michigan tenant rights resources

HUD — tenant rights and resources
Find your state's consumer protection / Attorney General office
Key statute: Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 (30-day itemized list + payment); § 554.610 (effect of noncompliance); § 554.613(2) (double damages) — verified against the official text on 2026-09-07.

Every fact on this page is verified against Michigan's official statutory text as of 2026-09-07. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Michigan.

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Your money is due back

30 days

Michigan law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.

If they wrongfully withhold

up to 2× your deposit

Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.

Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 (30-day itemized list + payment); § 554.610 (effect of noncompliance); § 554.613(2) (double damages) — verified against the official statute 2026-09-07

Your 30 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 2× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.

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We don't stop at mailing it. If your landlord doesn't respond, we follow up at day 7 and day 14 — and help you build the evidence and paperwork for small claims if it comes to that. Real result: we helped Kathleen A. (Ohio) recover her full $3,000 deposit this way.

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Option	Price	Effort	Follow-up
Do it yourself	—	All of it	You chase
TenantNex	$39	Done for you	We chase
Small-claims services	$149–448	—	—
Hire an attorney	$300–2,000+	—	—

An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.

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We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.

Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days

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TenantNex is 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.