LOCAL RULES

Michigan rental inspection report requirements

Your Michigan rental inspection report has 7 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • An inventory checklist at move-in and at move-out
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Michigan's Security Deposits Act, part of the Landlord-Tenant Act, requires an inventory checklist at both ends of a tenancy with a security deposit, with a set notice printed at the top of the first page, and it sets tight deadlines for claiming damages afterwards. Here is each rule with a link to the official text, and how to turn your walkthrough notes into a checklist that meets it.

Last reviewed October 8, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Rental inspectionMICHIGAN / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 87 words

Move-in inspection
Address: 22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Lansing, MI
Date: 2026-09-30
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenant: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
...
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79%of your draft is ready from these notes

We sorted 13 items into 6 sections and flagged 5 to fix soon.

  • Fix soonLiving and dining areas

    Carpet has a stain near the sofa wall.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Dishwasher not working.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Counter chipped near the sink.

7 Michigan rules on your checklist, including an inventory checklist at move-in and at move-out.

Still to add

  • RecommendedNotes for entry and hallways
  • RecommendedNotes for laundry and utility

Filled in for you

Inspection typeMove-in
Rental unit address22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Lansing, MI
Inspection dateSep 30, 2026
Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
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What Michigan requires

  • The landlord uses inventory checklists at both the start and the end of the occupancy of each rental unit that has a security deposit, detailing the condition of the unitMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.608 (1)
  • At the start of the lease the landlord gives the tenant 2 blank copies of the commencement inventory checklist, on a form identical to the one used for the termination checklistMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.608 (2)
  • The checklist includes every item in the unit that the landlord owns, including carpeting, draperies, appliances, windows, furniture, walls, closets, shelves, paint, doors, plumbing fixtures and electrical fixturesMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.608 (2)
  • Unless both agree to a shorter period, the tenant reviews the checklist, notes the condition of the property and returns 1 copy to the landlord within 7 days after receiving possessionMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.608 (3)
  • The checklist carries the notice set out in the statute, in 12 point boldface type at the top of the first pageMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.608 (4)
  • At the end of the occupancy, the landlord completes a termination inventory checklist listing all the damages claimed to have been caused by the tenantMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.608 (5)
  • Within 30 days after the occupancy ends, the landlord mails a notice of damages with an itemized list of the damages claimed, the estimated cost of repairing each item, and the amounts and bases of the charges, leaving out any damage claimed on a termination checklist before this tenant moved inMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.609 (1) and (2)
  • A landlord who does not send the notice of damages within the 30 days is treated as agreeing that no damages are due, and returns the full depositMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.610
  • The tenant gives the landlord a forwarding address in writing within 4 days after moving out; if they do not, the landlord does not have to send the notice of damagesMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.611
  • The tenant answers a notice of damages by ordinary mail within 7 days, saying in detail whether they agree or disagree with each chargeMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.612
  • Within 45 days after the occupancy ends, the landlord either sues for the damages claimed or returns the balance of the deposit; failing to comply waives the claimed damages and can cost double the deposit keptMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.613

The inventory checklist at move-in

The landlord uses inventory checklists at the start and at the end of the occupancy of each rental unit that has a security deposit, detailing the condition of the unit.

At the start of the lease, the landlord gives the tenant 2 blank copies of the commencement checklist, on a form identical to the one used for the termination checklist. The checklist includes every item in the unit the landlord owns, including carpeting, draperies, appliances, windows, furniture, walls, closets, shelves, paint, doors, plumbing fixtures and electrical fixtures.

Unless both agree to a shorter period, the tenant notes the condition of the property and returns 1 copy within 7 days after getting possession.

The notice at the top of the first page

The checklist carries a notice set out word for word in section 554.608 (4), in 12 point boldface type at the top of the first page. It tells the tenant to complete the checklist and return it within 7 days, and that they may ask for a copy of the last termination checklist, which shows what was charged to the previous tenants.

The termination checklist

At the end of the occupancy, the landlord completes a termination inventory checklist listing all the damages claimed to have been caused by the tenant. Damage already claimed on a termination checklist before this tenant moved in cannot be charged to them, which is one reason a careful record at each move-out matters.

After the tenant moves out

The tenant gives a forwarding address in writing within 4 days after moving out. Within 30 days after the occupancy ends, the landlord mails a notice of damages with an itemized list, the estimated cost of repairing each item, and the amounts and bases of the charges. A landlord who misses the 30 days is treated as agreeing that no damages are due.

The tenant answers by ordinary mail within 7 days. Within 45 days after the occupancy ends, the landlord either sues for the damages claimed or returns the balance of the deposit. Failing to comply waives the claimed damages and can cost double the deposit kept.

From walkthrough notes to a finished Michigan checklist

Walk the unit room by room and note each item, including draperies, furniture and shelves the landlord owns. ReportDraft turns your notes into a room-by-room checklist with each item marked and the damage written up, and prints the notice from section 554.608 (4) in 12 point bold at the top of the first page of the PDF and Word file for move-in and move-out checklists.

The report ends with signature lines for the landlord and the tenant. Use the same report for the termination checklist at move-out, so both ends of the tenancy are recorded on the same form.

Common mistakes

  • Giving the tenant one copy of the checklist instead of 2 blank copies at the start of the lease.
  • Leaving the statutory notice off the top of the first page, or printing it smaller than 12 point bold.
  • Skipping landlord-owned items such as draperies, shelves or furniture.
  • Charging a tenant for damage that was already claimed against the previous tenant.
  • Mailing the notice of damages more than 30 days after the occupancy ends.

Sources

Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Next review due January 8, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.