LOCAL RULES

Michigan security deposit statement requirements

Your Michigan security deposit statement has 5 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • The notice of damages mailed within 30 days
  • The balance by check, money order or electronic transfer within 10 days
  • The 7-day response warning in large bold type
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Michigan gives a landlord 30 days after the occupancy ends to mail a notice of damages with an itemized list and the estimated cost of each repair, and the notice must carry a set warning in large bold type.

Last reviewed October 23, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Security deposit statementMICHIGAN / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 123 words

Move-out statement
Rental unit: 410 Maple Avenue, Apt 3, Lansing, MI
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenants: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
Moved out Oct 31, 2026, keys returned. Lease ended Oct 31, 2026.
...
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We found 4 deductions totaling $577.40: refund due to the tenant $1,222.60.

5 Michigan rules on your checklist, including the notice of damages mailed within 30 days.

Still to add

  • RecommendedNotes for move-out condition
  • RecommendedNotes for refund and questions

Filled in for you

Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
Tenant namesJordan Lee and Priya Raman
Rental unit address410 Maple Avenue, Apt 3, Lansing, MI
Tenant's forwarding address88 Elm Street, Nampa, ID 83651
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What Michigan requires

  • 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)
  • The notice of damages is accompanied by a check or money order for the difference between the damages claimed and the deposit held; since September 21, 2026 the landlord may instead send that amount by direct deposit or electronic transfer, made within 10 days after mailing the noticeMichigan Compiled Laws s. 554.609 (2) and (3)
  • The notice of damages includes this statement in 12 point boldface type at least 4 points larger than the body of the notice: "You must respond to this notice by mail within 7 days after receipt of the notice of damages, otherwise you will forfeit the amount claimed for damages."Michigan Compiled Laws s. 554.609 (4)
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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)

The 30-day notice of damages

Within 30 days after the occupancy ends, mail the tenant 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. Leave out any damage claimed on a termination checklist before this tenant moved in.

Send the difference between the damages claimed and the deposit with the notice, by check or money order. Since September 21, 2026 you may instead send it by direct deposit or electronic transfer, made within 10 days after mailing the notice.

The bold warning the notice must carry

The notice includes this sentence in 12 point boldface type at least 4 points larger than the body of the notice: You must respond to this notice by mail within 7 days after receipt of the notice of damages, otherwise you will forfeit the amount claimed for damages. ReportDraft prints it in bold at the top of every Michigan statement.

Checklists and the forwarding address

Inventory checklists at the start and the end of each occupancy record the unit's condition. The tenant gives 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 damages.

Deadlines that cost the deposit

A landlord who does not send the notice within the 30 days is treated as agreeing that no damages are due and returns the full deposit. Within 45 days after the occupancy ends, the landlord either sues for the damages claimed or returns the balance; failing to comply waives the claimed damages and can cost double the deposit kept.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving out the bold 7-day warning, or printing it no larger than the rest of the notice.
  • Sending the notice without the check, money order or transfer of the balance.
  • Claiming damage that was on a termination checklist before this tenant moved in.
  • Letting 45 days pass without returning the balance or filing suit.

Sources

Last reviewed October 23, 2026. Next review due January 23, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.