How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Michigan?

In Michigan, a landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement for any deductions, within 30 days of move-out.

What is the small claims limit for a deposit dispute in Michigan?

Small claims court in Michigan handles disputes up to $7,000.

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Michigan security deposit law

⚠️ Not legal advice. DepositShield is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current — laws change and vary by city and situation. Verify it with an official source and consult a licensed attorney or your local tenants’ rights organization before relying on it or acting. Using DepositShield does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Return deadline

30 days

Small claims limit

$7,000

What you need to know

• Michigan law requires move-in and move-out inventory checklists — your walkthrough report satisfies your side.
• Send your forwarding address within 4 days of move-out; the landlord then has 30 days.
• Deposits are capped at 1.5 months’ rent; wrongful withholding is doubled.

Itemization: Itemized list of damages within 30 days. You must send your forwarding address within 4 days of moving out.

Interest: No interest required.

Deposit cap: Capped at 1.5 months’ rent.

If they wrongfully withhold: Failure to comply (or bad faith): double the amount wrongfully withheld.

Statute: Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 554.602–.616

What’s at stake for you?

Deadlines and penalties are state law — check yours, then lock in the evidence.

Your state

Your security deposit ($)

💰 At stake: your $1,500 deposit.

⏱ Deadline: Michigan landlords must act within 30 days of move-out.

⚖️ Your leverage: wrongful withholding could cost your landlord up to $3,000 (Failure to comply (or bad faith): double the amount wrongfully withheld.)

🏛 If it comes to it: small claims in Michigan handles up to $7,000 — no lawyer needed.

None of this matters without evidence.

Document your place in 5 minutes — every photo timestamped and hash-verified.

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⚠️ Estimates for general information only — not legal advice and not guaranteed to be accurate. State laws change; verify current law before relying on this. Actual outcomes depend on the facts, your local law, and the courts.

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DepositShield is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current — laws change and vary by city and situation. Verify it with an official source and consult a licensed attorney or your local tenants’ rights organization before relying on it or acting. Using DepositShield does not create an attorney-client relationship.