Full question:
I am a student at the Michigan Technological University. I graduate this year and planning to move down south to California for employment. I have been living in a rented apartment. My landlord repeatedly threatens me with deduction in the security deposit for reasons like broken pipes and creaking door hinges, none of which are my doing. They were damaged even before I took up the place on rent. I want to know if he can actually do deduct such costs from the deposit. How long will it take for me to get my hands on the deposit money paid?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Security Deposit
- Date:
- State: Michigan
Answer:
Typically in Michigan, a landlord is permitted to charge a tenant the equivalent of one and one-half months' rent for the security deposit. Even though the security amount is deposited with the landlord, under Michigan Law, it is considered the property of the tenant until the landlord establishes a right to the deposit.In Michigan, it is important that you provide your forwarding address in writing to the landlord within 4 days of moving out. The landlord is bound to pay the security amount within 30 days or send an itemized list of damages plus a check for the balance. The landlord may have to pay the whole security without deductions if he does not adhere to the 30 days’ timeframe. A landlord may deduct amounts from the security for damages. Tenants in Michigan must dispute the landlord's stated deductions within seven days of receiving the itemized list and balance, if any, or give up any right to dispute them. If there is no response from the landlord within 45 days of moving out, you can seek legal remedy against him.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.
