Evicting a bad tenant in Michigan costs ~$6,295.
How Michigan handles evictions
Among the lowest filing fees; a mandatory 10-day stay follows judgment, during which a nonpayment tenant can pay to stay.
The eviction process in Michigan, step by step
Governed by Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714 et seq. (summary proceedings); § 554.134 (notice to quit).
- 1
Serve notice/demandDay 0
7-day demand for nonpayment (MCL 554.134(2)) or the applicable notice to quit.
- 2
File complaint in district courtAfter notice expires
$45 possession-only filing (MCL 600.5756) + $10 e-filing; money-judgment claims add $25–$150.
- 3
Summons issuesAppearance within 10 days
Served at least 3 days before the hearing (MCL 600.5735).
- 4
Hearing/trial~7 days after appearance
May be adjourned 7–14 days, e.g., for rental-assistance applications (MCR 4.201).
- 5
Judgment for possessionHearing day
Judgment under MCR 4.201(L).
- 6
10-day stay10 days
The order of eviction cannot issue until 10 days after judgment; a nonpayment tenant can avoid eviction by paying the full judgment in this window (MCL 600.5744(1)).
- 7
Order of eviction executedAfter the stay
$15 order of eviction (MCL 600.5757); a court officer carries out the removal (locally set fee, ~$40–$150).
Michigan court fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (possession only) | $45 (+$10 e-filing) |
| Money-judgment add-on | +$25–$150 by amount claimed |
| Order of eviction (writ) | $15 |
| Court officer set-out | ~$40–$150 (locally set) |
Required notice periods in Michigan
Nonpayment of rent
7-day written demand for possession
Lease violation
7 days (serious health hazard/damage); 24 hours for drug activity with a police report
No cause / end of term
One month's notice (month-to-month)
Statute: Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 554.134, 600.5714
Most of that loss is preventable.
Bad tenants almost always leave a paper trail, the problem is that most landlords don't check carefully. Here's what a proper screening catches before you sign the lease.
Michigan eviction cost FAQ
How much does it cost to evict someone in Michigan?
Court fees start at $45 to file a possession-only summary proceeding (MCL 600.5756), plus a $10 e-filing fee and a $15 order-of-eviction fee (MCL 600.5757), roughly $70. Claiming money damages adds $25–$150 depending on the amount, and the court officer's set-out fee (locally set, ~$40–$150) is extra.
How long does an eviction take in Michigan?
For nonpayment: a 7-day demand (MCL 554.134(2)), a hearing within about 7 days of the appearance date (MCL 600.5735), then a mandatory 10-day wait before the order of eviction can issue (MCL 600.5744). Uncontested cases commonly resolve in 3–5 weeks.
What notice do I give before filing a Michigan eviction?
Unpaid rent: a written 7-day demand (MCL 554.134(2)). No-cause month-to-month: one month's notice (MCL 554.134(1)). Drug activity with a police report: 24 hours (MCL 554.134(4)). Serious health hazard or damage: 7 days (MCL 600.5714(1)(d)).
How soon after judgment can a Michigan tenant be removed?
The order of eviction cannot issue until 10 days after the possession judgment (MCL 600.5744(1)), and a nonpayment tenant can stop the eviction by paying the full judgment within that window.
Can I lock the tenant out myself in Michigan?
No. Michigan requires summary proceedings and a court-issued order of eviction executed by a court officer; self-help lockouts or utility shutoffs expose the landlord to damages under the anti-lockout statute (MCL 600.2918).
How much is the eviction filing fee in Michigan?
$45, filed with the District Court (Summary Proceedings). Service, writ, and execution fees are typically extra and vary by county/court.
What court handles evictions in Michigan?
Evictions in Michigan are handled by the District Court (Summary Proceedings).
Sources & methodology
The filing fee is the District Court (Summary Proceedings)'s published fee, last checked against the fee schedule on 2026-07-02. The timeline and typical rent are estimates. Property damage ($2,500), legal fees ($1,000) and turnover ($1,500) are round planning figures, the same for every state, not costs measured in Michigan. Real costs vary by county, whether the tenant contests, and the market. Primary statute: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714 et seq. (summary proceedings); § 554.134 (notice to quit).
- Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5714 (summary proceedings)
- Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.134 (notice to quit)
- Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5744 (order of eviction)
- MI Courts: District Court Fee Table (April 2025)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.