Free Michigan Lease Agreement Template

A Michigan lease agreement is a written contract between a landlord and a tenant for a rental property in Michigan. It lays out the rent amount, due date, lease term, security deposit rules, and responsibilities for repairs and everyday upkeep.

Landlords use a Michigan lease agreement when renting out a house, apartment, condo, or room. Putting the terms in writing helps prevent misunderstandings and makes it easier for both sides to follow Michigan landlord-tenant law.

Michigan has specific rules that affect what you can include in a lease and how you handle deposits, notices, and repairs. Key points include:

• Rent control: Michigan does not have statewide rent control, but some local rules may affect certain properties.
• Security deposit limit: Security deposits are capped at one and a half months’ rent (MCL 554.602).
• Late fees: There is no statutory cap on late fees, but they must be clearly written into the lease.
• Grace period: No state-mandated grace period; late fees can apply as soon as rent is past the agreed due date.
• Landlord license: No statewide licensing requirement for residential landlords, though local rules may apply.

Document Genius helps you incorporate these rules so your Michigan lease agreement stays aligned with state law.

Michigan requires several disclosures to be included with a residential lease. Your Michigan lease agreement should address at least the following:

• Landlord identification: The lease must list the landlord’s name and address, or that of an authorized agent, so the tenant knows where to send legal notices (MCL ch. 554).
• Domestic violence rights notice: Tenants who reasonably fear present danger from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may have the right to be released from rental obligations under MCL 554.601b. The lease must include a specific notice explaining these rights.
• Security deposit notice: If you collect a security deposit, you must give written notice of the landlord’s name and address, the financial institution or surety holding the deposit, and a security deposit receipt. The notice must also contain the required bold statement about providing a forwarding address after move-out (MCL 554.603).
• Truth in Renting Act disclosure: Michigan’s Truth in Renting Act regulates rental agreements and bans certain unfair clauses. Leases must include a notice telling tenants that Michigan law sets out rights and obligations and suggesting they seek advice if they have questions (MCL 554.634).
• Inventory checklist: When a security deposit is collected, landlords must provide a move-in inventory checklist. Tenants have seven days after taking possession to review it, note the condition of the unit, and return a copy to the landlord. The checklist must include specific bold language about the tenant’s rights (MCL 554.608).
• Lead-based paint disclosure: For housing built before 1978, federal law requires a lead-based paint disclosure and delivery of the EPA lead safety pamphlet (42 U.S.C. § 4852d).

Document Genius prompts you to include these disclosures so your Michigan lease agreement is transparent and easier to enforce.

Michigan’s security deposit law is strict. If you choose to collect a deposit, you must follow these rules:

• Maximum amount: The security deposit cannot be more than one and a half months’ rent (MCL 554.602).
• Receipt and notice: Within 14 days of the tenant moving in, you must give written notice that includes the name and address of the financial institution or surety holding the deposit and the required statutory statements (MCL 554.603).
• Bank account: Security deposits must be kept in a regulated financial institution or held by a surety bond, separate from your personal funds (MCL 554.604).
• Interest: Michigan does not require landlords to pay interest on residential security deposits.
• Move-in checklist: When a deposit is collected, you must provide the inventory checklist and allow the tenant seven days to complete and return it (MCL 554.608).
• Return timeline: You must either return the deposit or send an itemized list of damages within 30 days after the tenant moves out (MCL 554.609).
• Withholding rules: You may keep part of the deposit only for unpaid rent, unpaid utility bills that are the tenant’s responsibility, and documented damage beyond normal wear and tear. Any claimed amounts must be listed in a written itemized notice sent to the tenant’s last known address (MCL 554.609).

Your Michigan lease agreement should explain how the deposit will be held, when it will be returned, and what may be deducted. That clarity helps avoid disputes at move-out.

Your lease should clearly explain how and when rent is paid, and what happens if it is late. Under Michigan law:

• Rent amount: There is no statewide rent control, so the rent is whatever you and the tenant agree to in the lease.
• Due date: Rent is due on the date stated in the lease agreement. If the lease is silent, rent is generally due at the start of each rental period.
• Late fees: Michigan law does not set a limit on late fees, but they must be reasonable and clearly written into the lease before they can be charged.
• Grace period: There is no mandatory grace period. If you want to give tenants extra time before a late fee applies, you should add your grace period directly to the lease.
• Withholding rent: In some cases, tenants may be allowed to withhold rent or use repair-and-deduct remedies when serious health or safety problems are not fixed after proper notice (MCL 125.530 and related housing codes).

Document Genius lets you set your rent amount, due date, late fee structure, and grace period so expectations are clear from day one.

Michigan law does not set a specific notice period for landlord entry, but you are expected to respect your tenant’s privacy and give reasonable notice.

• Notice for non-emergencies: While not written into statute, many landlords use 24–48 hours’ notice before entering for inspections, repairs, or showings.
• Valid reasons for entry: Common reasons include making repairs, inspecting the unit, or showing the property to buyers or prospective tenants.
• Emergency entry: In an emergency, such as a fire, burst pipe, or suspected gas leak, landlords may enter without prior notice to protect people and property.
• Illegal lockouts: Changing locks or removing doors to force a tenant out without a court order is illegal “self-help” eviction and can lead to damages under MCL 600.2918.

Your Michigan lease agreement should explain how much notice you will give before entry and how tenants can contact you to schedule repairs.

Both landlords and tenants have clear roles in keeping the property safe and livable.

Landlord Responsibilities

• Keep the rental in reasonable repair and fit for its intended use throughout the lease term (MCL 554.139).
• Maintain essential systems like heat, plumbing, and electrical service in good working order.
• Respond to repair requests within a reasonable time frame, especially for issues affecting health and safety.

Tenant Responsibilities

• Keep the unit reasonably clean and use the property and fixtures in a careful way.
• Promptly report damage, leaks, or serious safety concerns to the landlord.
• Cover repair costs for damage caused by their own negligence or misuse.

Repair and Deduct

• In certain situations, tenants may be allowed to arrange repairs and deduct reasonable costs from rent if the landlord fails to address essential issues after proper notice. Tenants should carefully document all requests and costs and may want legal advice before using this option (Michigan “A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords”).

Document Genius helps you spell out who handles which repairs in your Michigan lease agreement, reducing misunderstandings during the tenancy.

Your Michigan lease agreement should explain how either side can end the tenancy and what notice is required.

• Fixed-term leases: These usually end on the date listed in the lease. If the tenant stays and the landlord accepts rent, the tenancy may convert to month-to-month unless the lease says otherwise.
• Month-to-month tenancies: Either the landlord or the tenant may terminate with at least one full rental period’s written notice, typically 30 days, unless the lease calls for a longer notice (MCL 554.134).
• Nonpayment of rent or serious violations: Different notices apply when a tenant fails to pay rent or violates key lease terms. Landlords must follow Michigan’s eviction procedures instead of removing the tenant themselves.
• Domestic violence early termination: Tenants who face certain domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking situations may have special rights to end the lease early under MCL 554.601b.
• Abandoned property: Michigan law does not require landlords to store or notify tenants about property that appears abandoned, but documenting the condition and following local court guidance is still recommended.

When you build your Michigan lease agreement with Document Genius, you can set clear notice periods, outline early termination options, and give both parties a simple roadmap for how the tenancy ends.