Michigan Residential Lease Agreement: Free Template and Truth in Renting Act Rules

Residential Lease Agreement (Michigan)

This Residential Lease Agreement (“Lease”) is made on [Date] for residential premises in the State of Michigan between the Landlord and the Tenant(s) named below.

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.

1. Parties and Notice Address (MCL 554.634(1))

Landlord: [Full Legal Name]
Address at which notices to the Landlord must be given: [Street Address, City, Michigan, ZIP]
Property manager or agent, if any: [Name, Address, Phone]

Tenant(s): [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name], [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name], [Additional Tenants]
Phone: [Phone] E-mail: [E-mail]
Each Tenant is jointly and severally liable for all obligations under this Lease.

2. Premises

Address: [Street Address, Unit, City, Michigan, ZIP] County: [County]
Type: ☐ Single-family home ☐ Apartment ☐ Duplex unit ☐ Condominium ☐ Other: [Description]
Parking: [Assigned space(s), garage, or “None”] Appliances included: [List]

3. Term

☐ Fixed term. Begins [MM/DD/YYYY] and ends on [MM/DD/YYYY].
☐ Month to month. Begins [MM/DD/YYYY].

Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least one month in advance, or, if rent is payable more often than monthly, at least one full rental period in advance (MCL 554.134(1)). At the end of the fixed term, this Lease ☐ ends ☐ continues month to month, unless either party gives written notice at least [30] days before the end date.

4. Rent

Monthly rent: $[Amount], due on or before the [1st] day of each month.
Accepted payment methods: [Check, money order, portal, bank transfer].
At least one method is free of any added charge or fee: [Method] (MCL 554.633(1)(o)).

5. Late Fee

If rent is not received by the [5th] day of the month, the Tenant will pay a late fee of $[Amount], which the parties agree is a reasonable estimate of the Landlord’s costs of late payment. Returned payment fee: $[Amount].

6. Security Deposit (MCL 554.602 to 554.613)

Security deposit: $[Amount], not more than 1½ months’ rent.

The deposit is held at: [Name and Address of Regulated Financial Institution] ☐, or secured by a bond filed with the Secretary of State through: [Name and Address of Surety] ☐ (MCL 554.604). Communications about the deposit go to the Landlord at the address in Section 1.

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.

[Print the statement above in bold type at least 12 point and at least 4 points larger than the body of this Lease (MCL 554.603). If this Lease is not signed before move-in, give the Tenant this notice in writing no later than 14 days after the Tenant takes possession.]

The deposit may be used only to cover actual damage beyond what is reasonably expected from normal living in the unit, unpaid rent, rent owed for early termination by the Tenant, and utility bills the Tenant did not pay (MCL 554.607). Within 30 days after the Tenant moves out, the Landlord will mail an itemized notice of damages with the estimated cost of each repair, together with the balance by check, money order or electronic transfer (MCL 554.609). The Tenant must respond to that notice by mail within 7 days after receiving it.

7. Move-In Inventory Checklist (MCL 554.608)

At the start of the Lease, the Landlord will give the Tenant two blank copies of the inventory checklist. The Tenant will note the condition of the unit and return one copy to the Landlord within 7 days after receiving possession. The Tenant may request a copy of the last termination inventory checklist, which shows what damages were charged to the prior tenants.

8. Occupants and Use

The Premises will be used only as a private residence by the Tenant(s) and these occupants: [Names, or “None”]. Guests may not stay more than [Number] consecutive nights without the Landlord’s written consent. The Tenant may not sublet or assign this Lease without the Landlord’s prior written consent.

9. Utilities

Paid by the Landlord: ☐ Water ☐ Sewer ☐ Trash ☐ Gas ☐ Electricity ☐ Other: [Description]
Paid by the Tenant: all other utilities.

10. Repairs and Maintenance (MCL 554.139)

The Landlord will keep the Premises and all common areas fit for their intended use, keep the Premises in reasonable repair during the term, and comply with applicable state and local health and safety laws, except for disrepair or violations caused by the Tenant’s willful or irresponsible conduct or lack of conduct.

The Tenant will keep the Premises clean and sanitary, use fixtures and appliances properly, promptly report needed repairs in writing, and pay for damage caused by the Tenant, occupants or guests beyond normal wear and tear.

11. Landlord’s Entry

Except in an emergency, the Landlord will give the Tenant at least [24] hours’ notice before entering and enter only at reasonable times to inspect, make repairs or show the Premises.

12. Pets, Smoking and Rules

Pets: ☐ No pets. ☐ Pets allowed as stated in the Pet Addendum. Assistance animals are not pets.
Smoking and vaping: ☐ Prohibited everywhere on the Premises. ☐ Allowed only in: [Area].
Rules, if any, are attached. The Landlord may change rules during the term only as allowed in Section 16.

13. Renter’s Insurance

The Landlord’s insurance does not cover the Tenant’s personal property. ☐ Renter’s insurance with at least $[Amount] liability coverage is required. ☐ It is recommended.

14. Lead-Based Paint (Housing Built Before 1978)

☐ The Premises were built in 1978 or later.
☐ The Premises were built before 1978. The Landlord has given the Tenant the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home and the attached Lead-Based Paint Disclosure, signed by both parties.

15. Default and Termination

If the Tenant does not pay rent when due, the Landlord may serve a written 7-day notice to quit or demand for possession and then file summary proceedings (MCL 554.134(2), 600.5714). If the Tenant moves out early, the Tenant remains liable for rent until the Premises are re-rented or the term ends, whichever is sooner, and the Landlord will make reasonable efforts to re-rent and reduce its damages.

Domestic violence release. 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.

The Landlord will not remove the Tenant, change the locks, remove the Tenant’s belongings or interrupt heat, water or electric service to recover possession, except under a court order (MCL 600.2918). The Landlord will not end the tenancy or increase the Tenant’s obligations to punish the Tenant for enforcing rights under this Lease or the law, reporting a health or safety code violation to a government authority, or joining a tenant organization (MCL 600.5720). The Landlord will comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

16. General Terms

Governing law: Michigan. Nothing in this Lease waives a right under the Truth in Renting Act or the Security Deposits Act, provides for a confession of judgment, waives a jury trial, or requires either party to pay the other’s attorney fees beyond those allowed by statute (MCL 554.633). A provision that violates the Truth in Renting Act is void, and the rest of this Lease remains in effect.

This Lease and its addenda are the entire agreement. Changes must be in writing and signed by both parties, except that the Landlord may make the following changes on at least 30 days’ written notice: changes required by federal, state or local law; rule changes needed to protect the physical health, safety or peaceful enjoyment of tenants and guests; and rent changes to cover increases in property taxes, charges for electricity, heating fuel, water or sewer service consumed at the property, or liability, fire or workers’ compensation insurance premiums (MCL 554.633(1)(l)).

17. Addenda

☐ Lead-Based Paint Disclosure ☐ Inventory Checklist ☐ Pet Addendum ☐ Rules ☐ Other: [Description]

Signatures

Landlord or Agent: _________________________ Date: __________
Printed Name and Title: _____________________________

Tenant: _________________________ Date: __________
Printed Name: _____________________________

Tenant: _________________________ Date: __________
Printed Name: _____________________________