Michigan Security Deposit Laws & Demand Letter
Michigan law gives your landlord 30 days to return your security deposit if no deductions are claimed, or 30 days to send a written itemization of any deductions. Miss those windows and the landlord may forfeit the right to keep any of it.
Reviewed by claude-primary-source-pull on April 28, 2026.
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The Michigan security deposit deadline
Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609, a Michigan landlord has two options after a tenant vacates the rental:
- Return the full deposit within 30 days if no deductions are being claimed; or
- Send a written notice of intent to impose a claim within 30 days, identifying the amount and reasons for any deductions.
If the landlord misses both windows, they generally forfeit any right to deductions and owe the tenant the full deposit. The relevant statutory language reads:
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609: In case of damage to the rental unit or other obligation against the security deposit, the landlord shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, an itemized list of damages claimed for which the security deposit may be used as provided in section 7, including the estimated cost of repair of each property damaged item and the amounts and bases on which he intends to assess the tenant. The list shall be accompanied by a check or money order for the difference between the damages claimed and the amount of the security deposit held by the landlord and shall not include any damages that were claimed on a previous termination inventory checklist prior to the tenant's occupancy of the rental unit.
Source: Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609
What to do next
- Confirm your deadline. Use the calculator above with your move-out date.
- Send a certified demand letter. A formal, statute-cited demand sent via USPS Certified Mail creates a documented record and is what most landlords respond to.
- Wait 7-14 days. If no response, send a follow-up notice escalating the demand.
- Consider small-claims court. A clean case packet (lease, photos, certified-mail receipts, statute citation) is what wins these.
Common questions
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Michigan? +
Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out if no deductions are claimed, or send a written notice of intent to impose a claim within 30 days.
What happens if my landlord misses the deadline in Michigan? +
Failure to comply with the statutory deadlines generally exposes the landlord to liability for the full deposit and, in many states, attorney's fees and additional damages.
Can I recover attorney's fees in Michigan? +
Michigan statutory provisions on attorney's fees vary by case. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Is interest required on my security deposit in Michigan? +
Michigan does not generally require interest on security deposits unless the rental agreement specifies otherwise.
What's the small-claims court limit in Michigan? +
Small-claims jurisdictional limits vary. Check your county's court rules.
How long do I have to file a security deposit lawsuit in Michigan? +
Statutes of limitations vary by state and claim type. Consult an attorney for case-specific advice.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter? +
No. A demand letter is something a tenant can send on their own. Many landlords respond to a properly-formatted certified demand letter without further action. SecurityDepositBack is a self-help platform — we prepare the letter and mail it; we don't represent you legally.
What's the difference between a demand letter and small-claims court? +
A demand letter is a written request for payment, sent before any lawsuit. It's often the quickest path to resolution. If the landlord ignores the demand, the next step is filing in small-claims court. Many cases settle at the demand-letter stage, which saves you both time and filing fees.