Michigan Residential Lease Agreement Template

A fixed-term lease for a house, apartment or condo. It sets the rent, deposit, rules and responsibilities for both sides, with slots for the rules of the state where the home is located. This edition fills in the Michigan rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.

Michigan rules for this form

Deposit limit. A security deposit cannot exceed one and a half months of rent. (MCL 554.602)

Deadline to return the deposit. Within 30 days after occupancy ends, the landlord must mail an itemized list of damages with a check or electronic payment for any balance. (MCL 554.609)

Required disclosures. Within 14 days after the tenant moves in, the landlord gives written notice of the landlord's address, where the deposit is held and the tenant's duty to give a forwarding address within 4 days of moving out, in the bold wording the statute requires. (MCL 554.603)

Required disclosures. The landlord provides move in and move out inventory checklists so the condition of the unit is recorded. (MCL 554.608)

Required disclosures. Leases must tell tenants about the right to end the lease early because of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or the landlord must post or hand over that notice. (MCL 554.601b)

Required disclosures. Leases also carry a Truth in Renting Act notice explaining that state law generally sets rights and duties for both sides. (Truth in Renting Act)

Required disclosures. Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d))

Notice before a rent increase. No statute sets a separate notice period for rent increases; during a fixed term the lease controls, and a month to month tenancy generally needs notice of at least one rental period before new terms apply. (MCL 554.134 and lease terms)

Month-to-month notice. Either side can end a month to month tenancy with one month of written notice. (MCL 554.134)

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

1. Parties
2. Property
3. Term
4. Rent
5. Late charges
6. Security deposit
7. Other charges and fees
8. Utilities and services
9. Occupants and guests
10. Use of the property
11. Pets
12. Smoking
13. Maintenance and repairs
14. Alterations
15. Landlord entry
16. Subletting and assignment
17. Insurance
18. Default
19. Moving out
20. Notices
21. Disclosures
22. General terms
23. Signatures

Before you use it

• A residential lease is the main contract between a landlord and a tenant for a fixed term, usually 6 or 12 months.
• State law sets the limits on deposits, late fees, entry notice and eviction notices, and it overrides any lease clause that conflicts with it.
• A clause that waives a tenant's legal rights is usually unenforceable and can weaken the rest of the lease.
• Have an attorney in your state review your final version, and attach every disclosure your state and city require.

For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the residential lease agreement.