General information, not legal advice. This template is a starting point. Laws differ by state and city, so have a licensed attorney review your final document before you use it.
Last reviewed
The short version
- A free Michigan edition of our lease termination letter template, as a PDF to print and a Word file to edit.
- Either side can end a month to month tenancy with one month of written notice.
- A month to month or other tenancy at will can be ended by either side with one month of written notice, or notice equal to the rent interval when rent is paid less often; no reason is required for most private housing.
- A service member can end a residential lease after entering active service, or after receiving permanent change of station or deployment orders, with written notice and a copy of the orders.
- Have a Michigan attorney review your final version before you use it.
A written notice that ends a tenancy, with one version for landlords and one for tenants, plus move-out and deposit details and a proof of delivery. This edition fills in the Michigan rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.
Michigan rules for this form
Month-to-month notice. Either side can end a month to month tenancy with one month of written notice. (MCL 554.134)
Ending a tenancy without cause. A month to month or other tenancy at will can be ended by either side with one month of written notice, or notice equal to the rent interval when rent is paid less often; no reason is required for most private housing. (MCL 554.134)
Military service. A service member can end a residential lease after entering active service, or after receiving permanent change of station or deployment orders, with written notice and a copy of the orders. (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955))
Domestic violence survivors. A tenant with a reasonable fear of present danger from domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking can send written notice by certified mail with qualifying documentation, and is released from rent no later than the first day of the second month after notice, once they move out. (MCL 554.601b)
Unlivable conditions. Serious repair failures can support a claim that the landlord breached the duty to keep the home fit, which may allow the tenant to end the tenancy or seek damages. (MCL 554.139)
Landlord duty to re-rent. Michigan courts generally expect a landlord to make reasonable efforts to re-rent before claiming rent for the rest of the term. (Michigan case law)
Cities and counties in Michigan can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.
What is in the template
- Version A: landlord to tenant
- Proof of delivery
- Version B: tenant to landlord
Before you use it
- A termination letter ends a tenancy the normal way, such as at the end of a lease or with notice on a month-to-month tenancy.
- It is different from an eviction notice, which responds to unpaid rent or a lease violation.
- The notice period, delivery method and any required reason come from the lease and from state and local law.
- Keep a copy and proof of how and when you delivered it.
For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the lease termination letter.
Get the Michigan lease termination letter
Free, no sign up. Fill it in by hand or edit the Word file.
General template, not legal advice. Have a Michigan attorney review before use.
Verify current law
We last checked these Michigan rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Michigan attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- MCL 554.134
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955)
- MCL 554.601b
- MCL 554.139
- Michigan case law
Official sources
Goes with this form
Filling it in, and what to watch for.
What does Michigan law say about month-to-month notice?
Either side can end a month to month tenancy with one month of written notice. Source: MCL 554.134.
What does Michigan law say about ending a tenancy without cause?
A month to month or other tenancy at will can be ended by either side with one month of written notice, or notice equal to the rent interval when rent is paid less often; no reason is required for most private housing. Source: MCL 554.134.
What does Michigan law say about military service?
A service member can end a residential lease after entering active service, or after receiving permanent change of station or deployment orders, with written notice and a copy of the orders. Source: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955).
What does Michigan law say about domestic violence survivors?
A tenant with a reasonable fear of present danger from domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking can send written notice by certified mail with qualifying documentation, and is released from rent no later than the first day of the second month after notice, once they move out. Source: MCL 554.601b.
What does Michigan law say about unlivable conditions?
Serious repair failures can support a claim that the landlord breached the duty to keep the home fit, which may allow the tenant to end the tenancy or seek damages. Source: MCL 554.139.