Michigan Sublease Agreement Template

An agreement between a current tenant and a subtenant for all or part of a rental home, tied to the original lease, with a landlord consent section. 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)

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

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))

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. The master lease
3. Subleased space
4. Term
5. Rent
6. Utilities and shared costs
7. Security deposit
8. Condition and inspection
9. Rules
10. Repairs and access
11. Default
12. General terms
13. Signatures
14. Landlord consent

Before you use it

• In a sublease the original tenant stays responsible to the landlord, and the subtenant answers to the original tenant.
• Most leases require the landlord's written consent before a tenant sublets, and some states limit when a landlord may refuse.
• A sublease can never last longer than the original lease or give the subtenant more rights than the tenant has.
• Landlords should screen subtenants with the same criteria they use for any applicant.

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