Michigan Residential Lease Agreement Template
The Michigan-compliant residential lease drafted from MCL Chapter 554 (Security Deposit Act + Truth in Renting Act). Includes the 1.5-month deposit cap (MCL 554.602), 14-day bank notice with 12-point bold forfeiture warning (MCL 554.603), 4-day tenant forwarding-address rule (MCL 554.611), 30-day deposit return (MCL 554.609), 7-day Demand for Possession (MCL 600.5714), Truth in Renting Act notice (MCL 554.631-641), Covenant of Fitness (MCL 554.139), and the federal lead-paint addendum. Editable Word + print-ready PDF.
A Michigan Lease That Holds Up in MI Court
If you’ve been searching for a Michigan residential lease agreement, you’ve noticed the gap: most free MI lease templates miss the MCL 554.603 14-day bank notice requirement — the Landlord must give the Tenant the bank/bonding info AND the 12-point bold forfeiture warning within 14 days, or lose the right to retain the deposit. They miss the MCL 554.611 4-day tenant forwarding-address rule (Tenant forfeits deposit return if not provided). They include clauses the Michigan Truth in Renting Act (MCL 554.633) PROHIBITS — exposing the Landlord to $250 per violation plus damages and attorney fees. And they use the wrong notice period for non-payment (Michigan is 7 days under MCL 600.5714). This MI rental agreement template is different. It’s drafted from MCL Chapter 554 with every statutory requirement built in.
What This Template Covers at a Glance
Lease Structure
53 sections
MI Compliance
MCL Ch. 554
Deposit Rules
1.5 mo + 14-day + 4-day
Reusability
Unlimited
Everything Michigan Landlords Need in One File
Editable Microsoft Word · Print-ready PDF · Instant download
Michigan Residential Lease Agreement Template
2026 Edition · Word + PDF · Drafted from MCL Chapter 554
- 53 sections covering parties, property, rent, deposits, conduct, termination
- Both Fixed Lease and Month-to-Month options
- 1.5-Month Security Deposit Cap (MCL 554.602)
- 14-Day Bank Notice with 12-Point Bold Forfeiture Warning (MCL 554.603)
- 4-Day Tenant Forwarding-Address Rule (MCL 554.611)
- 30-Day Deposit Return + Itemized List (MCL 554.609)
- Trust Account / Bond Requirement (MCL 554.604)
- Truth in Renting Act Notice (MCL 554.631-641)
- Prohibited-Clause Compliance (no waivers of Landlord negligence)
- 7-Day Demand for Possession (MCL 600.5714(1)(a))
- Summary Proceedings Reference (MCL 600.5701-5759)
- Covenant of Fitness / Habitability (MCL 554.139)
- Anti-Retaliation with 90-Day Presumption (MCL 600.5720)
- Servicemember + DV Termination Rights
- Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act + Fair Housing
- Smoke + CO Alarm Compliance
- Federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure attachment (pre-1978)
- Editable Word · Lifetime use across all your MI rentals
MI Residential Lease Template
Every Required Michigan Provision, Already Drafted In
1.5-Month Deposit Cap
Statutory cap. Built into Security Deposit section.
14-Day Bank Notice
Required within 14 days of receipt. Includes bank name/address + 12-point bold forfeiture warning. Built into Section XLVIII.
4-Day Tenant Forwarding Address
Tenant has 4 days from move-out to provide forwarding address; failure forfeits deposit return. Referenced in Sections XIV and XXXIX.
30-Day Deposit Return
Required after termination + receipt of forwarding address. Itemized list of damages required; failure forfeits Landlord’s right to retain.
Trust Account / Bond
Deposit must be held in regulated MI financial institution OR Landlord posts surety bond.
Truth in Renting Act
Mandatory tenant rights notice + prohibited-clause compliance ($250/violation penalty). Built into Section XLIX.
7-Day Demand for Possession
Required for non-payment before Summary Proceedings in District Court. Shorter than most states.
Covenant of Fitness
Statutory implied warranty that premises and common areas are fit for use intended and kept in reasonable repair.
Anti-Retaliation
90-day rebuttable presumption of retaliation if adverse action follows tenant’s protected activity.
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (Federal)
Federal requirement for pre-1978 properties. Full attachment included.
Who Drafted This Template
Mark Sias — Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers
Mark is a Florida-commissioned notary and legal document preparer based in Port Orange, FL. He co-owns Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers with his wife Grace, where they prepare residential and commercial real estate documents for clients across multiple states.
Important: Mark is a Florida-registered legal document preparer and is not a licensed Michigan attorney. This template is a self-help legal document drafted from public Michigan statutes. For complex situations or contested Summary Proceedings, consult a Michigan-licensed attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Michigan residential lease agreement legally binding?
Yes. The template is drafted from MCL Chapter 554 and includes all required Michigan provisions. When properly filled in, signed, and dated, it forms a legally binding contract under Michigan law.
What’s the security deposit cap in Michigan?
Under MCL 554.602 — 1.5 months’ rent. The deposit must be held in a regulated Michigan financial institution or backed by a surety bond.
What’s the 14-day bank notice rule?
Under MCL 554.603, within 14 days of receipt the landlord must provide written notice of the bank/surety holding the deposit, plus a 12-point bold warning about the tenant’s 4-day forwarding-address obligation.
What’s the Truth in Renting Act?
MCL 554.631-641 requires landlords to include a tenant rights notice and prohibits certain landlord-friendly clauses ($250 per violation penalty plus damages and attorney fees). The template complies fully.
What’s Michigan’s notice for non-payment?
7 days under MCL 600.5714(1)(a) — a 7-Day Demand for Possession is required before commencing Summary Proceedings in District Court.
Does Michigan have rent control?
No. MCL 123.411 preempts municipal rent control statewide.
Does the lease need to be notarized?
Michigan does not require notarization for residential leases.
Is there a refund policy?
Due to the instant-download nature of digital products, all sales are final. At $9.97, the risk is minimal.
© 2026 Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers. All rights reserved.
This template provides a self-help legal document for use by Michigan landlords. It is not legal advice. Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers is not a law firm and Mark Sias is not a licensed Michigan attorney. The template is drafted from public Michigan statutes (MCL Chapter 554 — Security Deposit Act and Truth in Renting Act; MCL 554.139 Covenant of Fitness; MCL 600.5701 et seq. Summary Proceedings; MCL 600.5720 Anti-Retaliation) and federal lead-paint disclosure requirements (24 CFR Part 35). Use of this template does not create an attorney-client relationship. Michigan statutes may change — always verify current law at legislature.mi.gov. For complex situations including commercial leases, government-subsidized housing, or contested Summary Proceedings, consult a Michigan-licensed attorney. Individual outcomes vary; purchase does not guarantee enforceability in any specific dispute.