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.
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-filingNoticeFileCourtLockout
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
About this page. Researched and written by the NextGen Properties research team — the underwriters, asset managers, and acquisitions staff who have priced, bought, and operated rental property for more than two decades. Reviewed before publication by the NextGen Properties editorial desk. How we work: editorial guidelines · scoring methodology.
