Michigan Housing Resources & Tenant Rights

Michigan’s rental rules come mainly from the Landlord and Tenant Relationships Act (MCL 554.601 and following) and the summary-proceedings law. Protections are moderate: the nonpayment notice is short (7 days), deposits are capped, and there is no rent control — a 1988 state law preempts cities from adopting it. As of April 2, 2025, source-of-income discrimination is illegal statewide for landlords with five or more rental units (Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act), so most cannot refuse a Housing Choice Voucher; a few cities (such as Ann Arbor) also ban it at any size. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) runs Housing Choice Vouchers for much of the state. This page covers the statewide rules, where local protections add more, the eviction timeline, and links to every Michigan city we cover.

Public Housing & Vouchers in Michigan

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are run by local authorities in the bigger cities — Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, and others — but the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) administers vouchers directly across much of the rest of the state, so MSHDA is the main application point if you live outside a city with its own PHA. MSHDA also allocates Low-Income Housing Tax Credits — search HUD’s LIHTC database or read how to find LIHTC housing.

Apply to several authorities at once. Use HUD’s PHA directory or our how to find your PHA and how to apply for Section 8 guides. City waitlist status is on the city pages below.

Source of Income & Rent Control

As of April 2, 2025, Michigan protects source of income statewide: the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.2502) makes it illegal for a landlord with five or more rental units to refuse a Housing Choice Voucher or other lawful income. Landlords with fewer than five units are exempt, so the smallest landlords may still decline a voucher. Some cities (such as Ann Arbor) ban it regardless of size; check your city’s rules, and read our source-of-income protections guide.

There is no rent control in Michigan. A 1988 state law (MCL 123.411) preempts cities and counties from adopting rent control, so no Michigan city can cap your rent.

Emergency Rental Assistance in Michigan

• Dial 211 (or use mi211.org) to reach local emergency rental and prevention funds and your regional Coordinated Entry for shelter and rapid re-housing
• MSHDA coordinates state rental resources; the pandemic-era CERA program has ended, so check michigan.gov/mshda and 211 for what is currently open
• The Home Heating Credit and the State Emergency Relief (SER) program through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services help with utilities and crises — see utility assistance programs
• The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and St. Vincent de Paul provide one-time help statewide

See our emergency rental assistance guide for the national picture.

Michigan Tenant Law: Key Protections at a Glance

Security deposits

Under MCL 554.602, a deposit cannot exceed one and a half months’ rent. After you move out, give the landlord a forwarding address in writing within 4 days — this protects your right to the deposit. The landlord then has 30 days to return it with an itemized list of any damages (MCL 554.609), and the deposit can only be used for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear, or utility charges you owe. See how to recover your security deposit.

Eviction process & how long it takes

Self-help eviction — lockouts, removing belongings, shutting off utilities — is illegal and can cost the landlord treble damages (MCL 600.2918). The sequence:

• Written notice — 7 days to pay or quit for nonpayment, 30 days for most lease violations, 24 hours for serious drug cases, and 7 days for physical injury or threats (MCL 600.5714)
• Summons and complaint filed in district court; a hearing is usually set within about 10 days
• Judgment, then a stay (often 10 days) before the court issues an order of eviction
• Order of eviction: a court officer carries it out — only after the order, never by the landlord directly

An uncontested Michigan eviction commonly runs about three to seven weeks from the notice. Appear at your hearing with your lease, receipts, and photos — many district courts have settlement help on the day of court. Get forms and help at MichiganLegalHelp.org and read how to avoid eviction.

Other Housing Programs in Michigan

• Public housing — government-owned affordable apartments run by local authorities; the waitlist is separate from Section 8
• HUD-VASH (veterans) — a voucher paired with VA case management; see how to apply for HUD-VASH
• Emergency Housing Vouchers & rapid re-housing — access through Coordinated Entry by calling 211
• Eviction prevention — our eviction prevention hub explains what to do before your court date

Major Michigan Cities We Cover

• Detroit affordable housing resources

Where to Get Help in Michigan

Free legal aid: MichiganLegalHelp.org has eviction forms and connects you to Lakeshore Legal Aid, the Legal Aid and Defender Association (Detroit), and others.

State housing agency: MSHDA for vouchers, LIHTC, and rental resources.

Find your local PHA: HUD’s PHA directory or our how to find your PHA guide.

211 helpline: dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org for rental help, shelters, and utility assistance.

HUD fair housing: file at hud.gov/reporthousingdiscrimination or call 1-800-669-9777.

Next Steps

Not sure where to start? Our Where to Start tool routes you to the right mix of Michigan programs in about two minutes.

If you have a 7-day notice, do not wait: get forms and help at MichiganLegalHelp.org and read eviction prevention.