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Eviction timeline in Michigan

Michigan Eviction Timeline

Uncontested: 21–45 days  ·  Contested: 45–120 days  ·  Under MCL § 554.601 et seq. (Landlord-Tenant Relationships)

The Michigan eviction process requires a court-ordered judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Timeline figures below begin after the pre-filing notice period expires and the landlord files the complaint with the court. Add 3–60+ days for the applicable pre-filing notice period (pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or no-fault) depending on the eviction reason.

Michigan Eviction Timeline at a Glance1

21–45 days Uncontested
45–120 days Contested
$45–$150 Court filing fee
$500–$2,500 Attorney fees (est.)
#4 of 51 Fastest nationally
Uncontested eviction (after filing) 21–45 days MCL § 554.601 et seq. (Landlord-Tenant Relationships)
Contested eviction (after filing) 45–120 days MCL § 554.601 et seq. (Landlord-Tenant Relationships)
Pre-filing notice: Nonpayment of rent 7 days MCL 600.5714
Pre-filing notice: Material lease violation 30 days MCL 554.134
Pre-filing notice: No-cause month-to-month termination 30 days MCL 554.134
Pre-filing notice: Serious or repeat health/safety hazard 7 days MCL 600.5714(c)
Court filing fee $45–$150 MCL § 554.601 et seq. (Landlord-Tenant Relationships)

Step-by-step Michigan eviction process

Day-by-day, every stage.

Each row's day-label is the cumulative start of that stage on the worst-case clock.
Pre-filing Notice File Court Lockout
  1. 7d
    1
    Stage 1 · Gate

    7-day demand for possession

    Day 1

    Form DC 100a for nonpayment. Service by certified mail, hand-delivery, or leaving at premises. Day of service does not count; weekends DO count.

  2. 1–3d
    2
    Stage 2 · Serve

    File the summary-proceedings complaint

    Day 8

    District Court for the precinct where the property sits. Detroit = 36th District Court. Filing fee $50 to $80. Attach lease, demand, and proof of service.

  3. 10–14d
    3
    Stage 3 · File

    Service of summons and 10-14 day return date

    Day 11

    Sheriff or process server delivers summons. Tenant appears at return date or faces default. Detroit cases must also receive a HOPE-line mediation notice.

  4. 0–7d
    4
    Stage 4 · Court

    Hearing and judgment

    Day 25

    Bench trial. Common defenses: habitability (MCL 554.139), retaliation (MCL 600.5720), improper notice form. Same-day judgment in uncontested cases.

  5. 10d
    5
    Stage 5 · Court

    10-day appeal window

    Day 32

    Loser has 10 days to appeal to Circuit Court. Writ of restitution does not issue until 10 days expire. This is the slow part of Michigan procedure even for uncontested cases.

  6. 3–21d
    6
    Stage 6 · Lockout

    Writ of restitution and lockout

    Day 42

    After 10-day appeal window closes, sheriff or court officer executes the writ. Wayne County (Detroit) stretches to 14-21 days due to volume; most other counties 3-10 days.

  7. Day 63
    ✓
    Possession recovered
    Worst case · Day 63
Timelines begin at court filing, not notice service. The Michigan timelines above start when the landlord files the eviction complaint with the court. Add pre-filing notice periods (3–60 days depending on eviction reason) to get the full end-to-end timeline. Self-help eviction, changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities, is illegal in Michigan and exposes the landlord to significant damages.

Other Guides for Michigan

← Michigan Eviction Risk OverviewEviction Costs: MichiganEviction Process: MichiganRent Control Guide: MichiganTenant Screening: MichiganTenant Protections: MichiganTenant Rights: MichiganNotice Templates: Michigan

Eviction Timeline in Other States

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Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Michigan attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.