Deposit return deadline · Michigan
Michigan: return the deposit within 30 days
In Michigan, a landlord must return a tenant's security deposit — or account for what's being kept — within an itemized damage list plus a check for the undisputed balance, mailed within 30 days after the tenant moves out. The rule is MCL 554.609 (itemization) and 554.613 (the 45-day rule) — Landlord and Tenant Relationships Act.
Deducting? The paperwork rules
The list must state each damage item with its estimated repair cost, can't include anything already noted on the move-in checklist, and must carry the statutory bold-type notice telling the tenant to respond within 7 days. The tenant owes you a forwarding address in writing within 4 days of moving out.
The clean way to do this is a written letter with the deduction list and the ledger behind it — the deposit return letter template produces one, and a current rent ledger is the difference between documenting and reconstructing.
What missing the deadline costs
Michigan's trap is the second deadline: if the tenant disputes your charges, you must actually SUE for them within 45 days of move-out — or return the money. Miss it and you waive the claim and owe double the amount you retained.
Deposit capped at 1.5 months' rent. The 30-day list and the 45-day lawsuit are separate obligations — calendar both.
Never discover this deadline late
The return clock starts the day the tenancy ends — which means it's knowable weeks in advance. A free RentChime account tracks your lease dates and emails you before deadlines like this one arrive.
Not legal advice. This is a summary for general information, not legal advice. The statute linked above is the authority; cities can add stricter rules, and laws change. If a deposit is disputed, talk to a local attorney.
Common questions
When does the 30-day clock start?
Generally when the tenancy ends and the tenant has moved out. The statute linked above defines the trigger precisely.
Can I deduct for normal wear and tear?
No state allows deductions for ordinary wear and tear — deductions are for damage beyond it, unpaid rent, and other charges the lease and statute allow, itemized in writing.
What if I miss the deadline in good faith?
Penalties generally attach to bad-faith withholding, but missing the deadline can forfeit your right to keep any of the deposit even without bad faith. The safe play is the letter, itemized, on time.