How long does the eviction process take in Michigan?

The timeline varies but typically: 7-30 days for the notice period, 7-10 days for the court to schedule a hearing after filing, and 10 days for the order of eviction to take effect after judgment. In total, the process usually takes 4-8 weeks from notice to physical eviction.

Can I evict a tenant without going to court in Michigan?

No. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal in Michigan. You must go through the court process. Illegal eviction can result in the landlord being liable for damages.

What notice do I need to give before filing for eviction?

For non-payment of rent: 7-day demand for possession. For lease violations: 30-day notice to cure or quit (or shorter if specified in lease). For termination of month-to-month tenancy: one full rental period notice. No notice is required for holdover tenants after lease expiration.

How much does it cost to file for eviction in Michigan?

Court filing fees vary by court but are typically $45-$75 for district court. You may also have costs for service of process ($25-$50). Our eviction document preparation starts at $199.

What happens if the tenant doesn't show up to court?

If the tenant fails to appear, the court will typically enter a default judgment in your favor. The judge may issue an order of eviction immediately, which gives the tenant 10 days to vacate.

What forms are used for a Michigan eviction?

The core SCAO forms are DC 100c (Demand for Possession, Nonpayment of Rent), DC 100a (Demand for Possession, Termination of Tenancy), DC 102c (Summons, Landlord-Tenant), DC 104 (Complaint, Nonpayment of Rent), DC 105 (Judgment, Landlord-Tenant), and DC 107 (Order of Eviction / Writ of Restitution).

How much rent must a tenant pay to stop a Michigan eviction?

In a nonpayment case the tenant can generally stop the eviction by paying the full amount of rent found due in the judgment plus taxed court costs within the 10-day redemption period. Partial payment does not stop the eviction unless the landlord agrees in writing.

Can a Michigan tenant get more time to move out?

A judge can delay enforcement for good cause, and courts often refer tenants to rental-assistance or mediation programs before entering an order of eviction. Any extension is at the court's discretion, not automatic.

Do I need to give notice to evict a holdover tenant in Michigan?

If a fixed-term lease simply expired and the tenant stays, no additional notice is required before filing. For a month-to-month tenancy, you must give one full rental period of notice, and for a mobile home park tenancy longer statutory notice applies.

What is the difference between an order of eviction and a writ of restitution in Michigan?

They are the same enforcement document (SCAO form DC 107). The court issues it after the redemption period expires, and it authorizes a court officer or bailiff to remove the tenant and their belongings.

Can a tenant stop an eviction in Michigan?

In non-payment cases, the tenant can sometimes stop eviction by paying all rent owed plus court costs before the judgment is entered. In other cases, the tenant may request more time or contest the eviction at the hearing.

Michigan Guide

Michigan Eviction Process: Landlord's Guide

A complete guide to legally evicting a tenant in Michigan, from notice to court filing.

Quick Answer

How long does an eviction take in Michigan, and what are the steps?

A Michigan eviction usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. The landlord serves a written demand for possession (7 days for nonpayment of rent, 30 days for most lease violations, one full rental period for a month-to-month tenancy), then files a landlord-tenant complaint in district court after the notice period expires. The court sets a hearing within roughly 7 to 10 days, and if the landlord wins the tenant has 10 days to move or pay before the court issues an order of eviction (writ of restitution) for a court officer to enforce. Lockouts, utility shutoffs, and removing belongings without a court order are illegal in Michigan.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. We are a document preparation service, not a law firm.Read full disclaimer

Understanding Michigan Eviction Law

Michigan eviction law requires landlords to follow a specific legal process. You cannot simply change locks, remove belongings, or shut off utilities—these "self-help" evictions are illegal and can result in liability. This guide walks you through the proper legal process.

Step 1: Determine Your Grounds for Eviction

Non-payment of rent — Most common; requires 7-day demand notice
Lease violations — Unauthorized pets, property damage, nuisance behavior
Holdover tenancy — Tenant stays after lease expires
Illegal activity — Drug manufacturing or other criminal activity on premises

Step 2: Serve Proper Notice

Michigan Notice Periods

• Non-payment: 7-day demand for possession
• Lease violation: Notice as specified in lease (typically 30 days)
• Month-to-month termination: One full rental period
• Illegal activity: 7-day notice or immediate in some cases

How to Fill Out a 7-Day Demand for Possession (DC 100c)

The demand for possession is the notice that starts a non-payment eviction. Get it wrong and the district court will dismiss the case and send you back to the beginning.

Tenant names: every adult named on the lease, spelled the way the lease spells them.
Rental address: the full street address including the unit number.
Amount of rent due: rent only. Late fees, utilities, and damage charges do not belong in a non-payment demand and are a common reason a case gets thrown out.
Period the rent covers: the months and dates the unpaid rent applies to.
Landlord/agent signature and contact: the owner or the person legally authorized to act for the owner.
Certificate of service: how and when you delivered it — personal delivery, delivery to a household member, or first-class mail. Count the 7 days from delivery, not from the date you signed it.

Example: rent of $1,200 for April 2026 went unpaid. You deliver the demand on May 2. The 7 days end May 9, and you can file with the district court on May 10 if the rent is still unpaid.

Michigan Eviction Forms You Will Need

SCAO forms used in a Michigan eviction
Form	What it does	When you use it
DC 100c	Demand for possession, non-payment of rent	Before filing — starts the 7 days
DC 100a	Notice to quit to recover possession	Lease violations and month-to-month endings
DC 102c	Complaint for non-payment of rent	Filed with the court after the notice expires
DC 104	Summons, landlord-tenant / summary proceedings	Issued by the clerk with your complaint
DC 105	Judgment for possession	After the hearing, if you win
DC 107	Order of eviction (writ)	If the tenant does not leave on time

All of these are state SCAO forms. You can read each one on our Michigan court forms library.

Step 3: File with the Court

If the tenant doesn't comply with the notice, file a Complaint for Eviction (Summary Proceedings) with your local district court. You'll need the complaint, summons, and proof that proper notice was served.

File in the district court that covers the rental property. In St. Clair County that is the 72nd District Court; Macomb County is split among the 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th, 41A, 41B, and 42nd districts; Oakland County has more than a dozen districts; and the City of Detroit is the 36th District Court. Our Michigan court directory lists addresses and phone numbers by county.

Need help? ClearPath prepares complete eviction filing packets starting at $249, after we review your situation and give you a final quote.See eviction filing document preparation →

Step 4: Attend the Hearing

The court will schedule a hearing (usually 7-10 days after filing). Both parties present their case. Bring all documentation: the lease, notice copies, proof of service, payment records, photos of damage, and any communication with the tenant.

Step 5: Obtain and Execute the Judgment

If the court rules in your favor, the judge issues an Order of Eviction. The tenant has 10 days to vacate. If they don't leave, you can request a Writ of Eviction, and a court officer will physically remove the tenant.

Michigan Eviction Notice Periods by Reason

Michigan eviction notice periods by reason for eviction
Reason	Notice required	SCAO form
Nonpayment of rent	7 days	DC 100c
Health hazard or serious damage to the property	7 days	DC 100a
Illegal drug activity (with police report)	24 hours	DC 100a
Other lease violation	30 days, or as the lease specifies	DC 100a
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	One full rental period	DC 100a
Holdover after a fixed lease ended	No additional notice	DC 102c and DC 104
Mobile home park tenancy	30 days or longer by statute	DC 100a

Notice periods depend on the facts and the lease. Confirm the correct notice with your district court clerk before serving.

Michigan Eviction Timeline, Day by Day

Typical Michigan eviction timeline from notice to enforcement
Stage	Typical timing
Serve demand for possession	Day 0
Notice period runs	Days 1-7 (nonpayment) or 1-30 (other)
File complaint and summons	Day 8 or later
Hearing before a district judge	Roughly 7-10 days after filing
Judgment entered	Usually the hearing date
Redemption / move-out period	10 days after judgment
Order of eviction issued and enforced	A few days to two weeks after the 10-day period

What Delays a Michigan Eviction

Defective notice: Wrong notice period, wrong form, wrong rent figure, or no proof of service is the single most common reason a case is dismissed and has to start over.
Failed service: If the tenant is not properly served, the court will adjourn the hearing.
Rental assistance or mediation: Many Michigan district courts refer nonpayment cases to a housing-assistance or mediation program before judgment.
Tenant defenses: Claims about habitability, retaliation, unreturned security deposits, or accounting disputes can turn a one-hearing case into a contested trial.
Unregistered rental: Some Michigan cities bar a landlord from collecting rent or evicting while the rental certificate of compliance is not current.

Getting the notice and complaint right the first time is what keeps the timeline short. Clear Path prepares the demand, complaint, summons, and proof-of-service paperwork at your direction. We do not appear in court or advise you on strategy.

Michigan Eviction FAQ

Need Eviction Documents Prepared?

We prepare complete eviction filing packets with all required court documents. Every matter is reviewed before we set a final price — nothing is purchased online.

Questions first? Call or text (833) 777-FILE and we will walk you through which notice your situation needs.