Michigan Lease Agreement with ezSign

MI Landlord-Tenant Laws

Our MI Lease Agreement complies with all state Lease Laws, so you don’t need to worry about these as you build your Lease.

However, it’s important to be familiar with key laws when managing your rental properties. Here are a few Pro Landlords are familiar with!

Category	State Law
Ending and Renewing Michigan Law	A Fixed-Term Lease automatically terminates at the end of the stated Lease term unless otherwise specified. A Periodic Lease is automatically renewed at the end of each rental period (month-to-month or week-to-week, depending on how often rent must be paid) unless written notice is provided that is equal to the amount of time of one rental period (one month, one week, etc.). In certain circumstances, senior citizens and persons incapable of living independently, who have lived in the rental unit for more than 13 months, may terminate the lease with 60 days' written notice.
Security Deposit Michigan Law	(1) The Lease or Landlord may not require more than one and a half months’ rent for a security deposit. (2) If the Lease or Landlord requires a security deposit, the Landlord MUST provide the Tenant with two copies of an inventory checklist before or when the Tenant moves into the rental. (3) The inventory checklist MUST have the following written notice on it, “You are also entitled to request and receive a copy of the last termination inventory checklist which shows what claims were chargeable to the last prior tenants” (4) The Lease, or another written document, provided by the Landlord within 14 days from when the Tenant takes possession of the rental, MUST state the name and address of the financial institution (bank) that is holding the Tenant’s security deposit, or an address to send written mail to the Landlord.
Returned Payment Fee Michigan Law	Returned Check fee may not exceed $25 if paid within 7 days, excluding weekends & holidays, after a notice was mailed. If not paid as requested above, but within 30 days after the notice was mailed, the service fee is $35. Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2952
Late Fee Michigan Law	Landlords may assess reasonable late fees when the rent is past due.
Insurance Requirements Michigan Law	Landlords may require renters to obtain rental insurance.
Notice to Enter Michigan Law	No statute; however, we recommend at least giving 24 hours' notice before entering the leased premises.
Landlord Requirements Michigan Law	Per 2017 legislation, Landlords may prohibit the smoking or cultivation of marijuana for medical use on the leased premises, so long as the prohibition against smoking or cultivating marijuana is in the written Lease.

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Required Disclosures

Don’t worry - all required disclosures are automatically included in your Lease Agreement!

But here’s an overview to make it EZ for all Landlords to be Pro Landlords.

• Domestic Violence Victims: Pursuant to Michigan law, the Landlord must include the following language in the Lease Agreement, have it visible in the property, or deliver it to the Tenant.
• NOTICE: A tenant who has a reasonable apprehension of present danger to him or her or his or her child from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may have special statutory rights to seek a release of rental obligation under MCL 554.601b.
• Michigan Walkthrough Checklist: A checklist including the condition of the property must be completed and returned to the Landlord within seven days of taking occupancy when a security deposit is required.
• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Pursuant to federal law, Landlords must provide a lead-based paint disclosure for all properties built before 1978.
• Notice Information: The Landlord must provide in the Lease Agreement an address where the Tenant can send legal notices.
• Truth in Lending Act: All Rental Contracts must contain the following language in 12-point font and no less than 1/4 inch in height.
• NOTICE: Michigan law establishes rights and obligations for parties to rental agreements. This agreement is required to comply with the Truth in Renting Act. If you have a question about the interpretation or legality of a provision of this agreement, you may want to seek assistance from a lawyer or other qualified person.
• Security Deposit Receipt: Whenever a security deposit is collected, the Landlord must provide the Tenant with a receipt that includes the financial institution where the funds are located. Additionally, the following must be stated in the receipt, in at least 12-point font which must be at least 4 points larger than the rest of the document, and in bold lettering.

NOTICE: You must notify your landlord in writing within 4 days after you move of a forwarding address where you can be reached and where you will receive mail; otherwise your landlord shall be relieved of sending you an itemized list of damages and the penalties adherent to that failure.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do Leases need to be notarized in Michigan?

No. Michigan Lease Agreements do not need to be notarized. The Rental Contract is legally binding as long as it’s signed by both the Landlord, or the lessor, and the Tenant, or the lessee.

How do you write a Lease Agreement?

The key to writing a Lease Agreement is including all necessary information. This means the names of all occupants, the name and contact information for the Landlord, the Lease term, the rent amount, late fee policies, any property rules or requirements, state-required language or disclosures, and necessary addendums - for example, a Pet Addendum or Guest Policy Addendum.

Collecting the information, complying with state laws, and including all rules and policies is not easy. That’s why it can be risky to write your own Lease Agreement. There are some generic, basic Lease Agreements available online - for example, the one offered by the Michigan Association of Realtors. Additionally, there are fillable and blank Lease forms that Landlords can use.

But here’s what you should keep in mind when writing a Lease Contract: the Lease is what protects Landlords and their properties should any issues arise. Because of this, it’s important to always have a thorough Lease Agreement that will provide you with maximum protection.

How much notice does a Landlord have to give a Tenant to move out in Michigan?

A fixed-term Lease will automatically terminate at the end of the Lease term unless otherwise stated. This means that no notice is required as long as the Lease provides a clear end date and there are no other renewal requirements stated in the Lease.

A periodic Lease will automatically renew unless notice is given that is equal to the amount of the Lease term. For example, in a month-to-month Lease, Landlords must give one month’s notice to end the Lease Agreement.

What is the standard Lease term in Michigan?

The standard Lease term in Michigan is one (1) year. However, the term can be longer or shorter as long as it’s specified in the Lease Agreement. Fixed-term, month-to-month, short-term, and vacation rental agreements can all be used.

Who needs a Lease Agreement?

Anyone who rents residential real estate needs a Lease Agreement. This is true whether it’s an apartment, duplex, condo, or single-family home. It’s also true whether you have one rental property or multiple rental units.

The Lease provides the Tenant with vital terms, rules and policies. Plus, it’s what protects the Landlord and the Landlord’s investment. You should never hand over the keys to a rental property before fully executing a Lease Agreement.

Michigan Rental Forms and Templates

Landlords need more than just a great Lease to manage their Rental Properties! Here are other forms you might need:

• Rental Application: Good screening starts with a Rental Application and includes a credit report, criminal background report, and eviction history. Start your Tenant Screening. Pro Tip: Our Rental Application is 100% free for Landlords!
• Michigan Walk-Through Checklist: This form makes it EZ to document the condition of the rental property at move-in and move-out. Pro tip: This form must be completed by Tenants within 7 days of taking occupancy.
• Tenant Welcome Letter: This customizable form lets Landlords share key information with Renters about their new home. Pro Tip: Good communication leads to good Landlord-Tenant relationships!
• Rent Ledger: Keep track of rental payments and ensure proper documentation of any missed payments. A great way to stay organized and protect your investment! Pro Tip: Good organization makes your life EZier at tax time.
• Michigan Security Deposit Itemized Deductions: This Notice is required whenever a Michigan Landlord plans to withhold some or all of a security deposit.
• Michigan Notice to Quit - Damage to Premises or Health Hazard: This form is used when a Tenant has caused a health hazard or property damage. It advises the Tenant to repair the damage or move out. Further, it warns that if the Tenant takes neither action, the Landlord will initiate eviction proceedings.
• Michigan Demand for Possession - Drug Activity: This form should be used if an occupant becomes involved in drug activity. This is a key first step in the eviction process.
• Michigan Notice to Quit - Termination of Tenancy: This form should be used when Tenants have a Lease violation besides non-payment of rent, a health hazard, or drug activity. This notice should be given before initiating eviction proceedings.

Other Lease Agreements Michigan Landlords Need

If you have rental properties in multiple states, you need multiple state-specific Leases. But don’t worry, we’ve got them all!

• Illinois Residential Lease Agreement: Complies with all Illinois and Chicago Lease laws!
• Indiana Rental Contract: Create the complete Indiana Lease Package.
• Ohio Lease Agreement: Guaranteed to comply with all state laws and EZ to review and sign online.
• Ontario Residential Lease Agreement: Ontario has particularly complex Landlord-Tenant Laws, but our Lease Builder Wizard makes it EZ to be an Ontario Landlord!

Don’t see the Lease you need? Visit our forms library to find a Lease for all 50 states PLUS over 450 Landlord forms!

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