Every Michigan eviction starts with a written notice to quit. Get the first deadline wrong and you might lose your lease before you can blink; nail it and you can buy days—or weeks—to negotiate, pay, or raise legal defenses. This guide breaks down each notice type, the exact statutes behind them, and a built-in calculator so you know the last legal day to act.
Side-by-Side Notice Comparison
| Reason |
Notice Period |
Statute |
Can Tenant Cure? |
Earliest Court Filing |
Official Form # |
| Non-payment of rent |
7 days |
MCL 600.5714(1)(a) |
Yes – pay full balance |
Day 8 |
DC 100a |
| Lease breach (pets, noise) |
30 days |
MCL 600.5714(1)(c) |
Usually – cure breach |
Day 31 |
DC 101 |
| Health/safety or drug activity |
24 hours |
MCL 600.5714(1)(d) |
No |
Next business day |
Custom Form + Police Affidavit |
| Holdover / end of lease |
30 days |
MCL 554.134(1) |
No |
Day 31 |
DC 102 |
Visual Timeline of a Typical 7-Day Notice
Notice taped / mailed
Cure period
Landlord filing window
Court hearing
Exact days shift for 30-day and 24-hour notices, but the sequence—notice → cure → filing → hearing—remains constant.
Last Legal Day Calculator
Results
Weekends push deadlines to the next business day. This calculator is informational only—not legal advice.
7-Day Notice for Non-Payment of Rent
Definition: The landlord’s written demand that you pay all past-due rent within seven calendar days or face court.
When Landlords May Use It
- Any amount of rent remains unpaid after the due date.
- Bounced check once the landlord gives written notice.
- Failure to pay utilities treated as additional rent under the lease.
Statute: MCL 600.5714(1)(a) & Court Form DC 100a.
Required Contents
- Exact dollar amount owed (principal + late fees).
- Statement that tenant can avoid eviction by paying within seven days.
- Landlord name, address, and phone.
- Date of service and method used.
Accepted Service Methods
| Method | Extra Days Added? |
|---|
| Hand-delivery to tenant | No |
| Leaving with adult resident | No |
| First-class mail | +3 days |
| Tacking to door & mailing copy | +3 days |
Calendar Timeline
- Day 0: Notice served.
- Day 1–7: Tenant may pay full balance.
- Day 8: Landlord may file complaint (DC 100c).
- Day 15–20: First court hearing usually scheduled.
Sample Completed Form
NOTICE TO QUIT – DEMAND FOR POSSESSION
Form DC 100a (01/25)
To: Jane Doe, 123 Maple Ave, Apt 2, Lansing MI 48910
You owe rent in the amount of $1,050.00 for the period 05/01/2025 – 05/31/2025.
☐ No partial payment accepted
☒ Partial payment accepted IF balance paid by deadline
If you do not pay the above amount within seven (7) days after service,
I will start a lawsuit to evict you.
Date of service: 05/06/2025
Service method: Hand-delivery
/ s / Acme Rentals LLC
P.O. Box 456, Lansing MI 48901 – (517) 555-0199
Tenant Response Checklist
- Verify the amount—request a ledger if unclear.
- Pay or apply for SER assistance; keep proof.
- Send a certified dispute letter if balance is wrong.
- Document habitability issues for possible rent offset.
- Negotiate a payment plan in writing.
30-Day Notice for Lease Breach
Definition: Written demand giving tenants 30 days to cure a material lease violation—common for unauthorized pets, repeated noise, or minor damage.
When Landlords May Use It
- Unauthorized occupants or subletting.
- Pets in a “no-pets” building.
- Continued lease violations after prior warnings.
Statute: MCL 600.5714(1)(c); Official Form DC 101.
Required Notice Contents
- Specific description of the breach (“Pit-bull present in unit on 4/12/2025”).
- Clear cure instructions (“Remove animal permanently”).
- Statement of 30-day timeframe.
- Complete landlord contact info.
Accepted Service Methods
| Hand or adult delivery | No extra days |
| First-class mail | +3 days |
Timeline
- Day 0: Notice served.
- Day 1–30: Tenant must cure and document cure.
- Day 31: Landlord may file complaint.
- Hearing typically within 15 days of filing.
Sample Form Extract
30-DAY NOTICE TO QUIT – LEASE VIOLATION (DC 101)
Violation: Loud parties reported 03/22, 03/29, 04/05 – violating ¶9
Cure: Cease disruptive noise after 10 pm & retain security patrol receipt
Deadline to cure: 06/10/2025
If violation is not cured, we will file for eviction.
Landlord: Lakeside Apts Mgmt 231-555-2020
Tenant Response Checklist
- Resolve issue immediately; gather proof (photos, receipts).
- Email landlord confirmation of cure.
- Consider mediation if allegation is disputed.
- Consult tenant attorney for complex claims.
24-Hour Notice for Safety or Drug Activity
Definition: Emergency notice giving tenants only 24 hours to vacate when activity endangers others or the property—often paired with a police affidavit.
Valid Use Cases
- Manufacture or sale of controlled substances.
- Illegal firearm discharge in the unit.
- Serious threats to health or safety (e.g., arson).
Statute: MCL 600.5714(1)(d). No standard court form; landlord must attach police report or sworn affidavit.
Required Contents
- Date, time, and description of dangerous act.
- Statement that tenant must vacate within 24 hours.
- Notice that no cure is available.
- Supporting documentation (police complaint #).
Service & Timeline
- Hand-delivery strongly recommended.
- Landlord may file the very next business day.
- Court may grant ex parte possession order before hearing if danger is ongoing.
Sample Text
24-HOUR NOTICE TO QUIT – ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY
On 05/14/2025 at 8:30 p.m., Lansing PD executed a search warrant in Unit 5 and located
controlled substances packaged for sale. Under MCL 600.5714(1)(d), you must vacate all
occupants and possessions within 24 hours of receiving this notice.
Attached: Police Incident #25-13245, Sgt. Ruiz affidavit.
/s/ Maple Square LLC – (517) 555-7777
Tenant Response Tips
- Seek legal counsel immediately; 24 hours is short.
- Request the affidavit if not provided.
- File a motion to show cause if allegations are false.
Termination / Holdover Notice
This notice ends a lease that has expired or a month-to-month tenancy. Tenants have 30 days to vacate; there is no cure option.
When Used
- Fixed-term lease reaches end date.
- Month-to-month renter after proper service.
- Landlord intends to renovate or sell.
Statutes: MCL 554.134 (residential termination) and MCL 600.5714(1)(b).
Required Contents
- Lease end date or tenancy termination date.
- 30-day deadline.
- Landlord signature and contact.
Timeline Overview
- Day 0: Notice served.
- Day 1–30: Tenant prepares to move.
- Day 31: Filing permissible.
Sample Snippet
30-DAY NOTICE TO TERMINATE TENANCY (DC 102)
Your month-to-month tenancy at 402 Pine St, Unit A is hereby terminated effective
07/31/2025. You must surrender possession by that date.
Landlord: Pine Street Homes – (313) 555-9000
Date served: 06/30/2025
Tenant Response Checklist
- Confirm move-out date in writing.
- Document condition for security-deposit purposes.
- Negotiate for extra days before the 30-day clock ends.
Service Methods at a Glance
Hand-delivery: Fastest—count days starting tomorrow.
First-class mail: Add three extra days under MCR 2.107(C).
Tacking & mailing: Same three-day rule applies. Landlord must do both steps the same day.
Legal basis: MCL 600.5718 & Court Rule 2.105.
Tenant Response & Defense Strategies
Negotiate & Pay
For non-payment cases, a lump-sum or short payment plan solves 80 % of disputes. Secure a written conditional dismissal that voids the filing if you pay on time.
Send a Dispute Letter
Michigan courts expect written objections. Use our letter generator and send via certified mail.
Repair-and-Deduct Situations
If withheld rent matches documented repairs, attach receipts and cite MCL 554.139. Judges weigh proof heavily.
Domestic Violence Protections
Under MCL 600.5775, survivors may terminate leases early or request locks changed. Include police or advocate documentation.
Retaliation & Discrimination
An eviction filed within 90 days of your repair complaint or fair-housing assertion may be tossed. Consider mediation first, or find counsel in our attorney directory.
What Happens After the Notice Expires?
Once the deadline passes, the landlord may file a summary-proceedings complaint. Summons usually arrives within a week, setting a hearing 10–15 days later. Review our step-by-step eviction timeline guide to prepare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Michigan law does not recognize email alone as valid service. The notice must be hand-delivered, left with an adult, or mailed first-class (with an extra three-day cushion). Landlords may send an email copy, but they still must follow one of the statutory methods under MCL 600.5718.
Often, yes. Accepting any portion of rent after serving a 7-day non-payment notice typically waives that notice for the period covered. If the landlord wants to proceed, they must serve a fresh notice reflecting the new balance. Keep proof of any payments made (receipts, bank records).
Yes—Michigan counts calendar days. However, if the last day lands on a weekend or court-holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day under MCR 1.108. The built-in calculator above handles this adjustment automatically.
Public-housing and voucher tenants receive the same statutory notices, but HUD leases may require longer timelines and “good cause” beyond state law. Ask the housing authority for an informal hearing and review your HUD 52641 lease addendum.
Door posting alone is insufficient. If landlords post the notice, they must also mail a copy the same day. Failure to meet this dual requirement is a solid procedural defense—bring photos or witnesses to court to prove improper service.
Key Takeaways
- Count every day, add three for mail, push weekend deadlines forward.
- Most notices allow a cure—use it or lose it.
- Improper service is a powerful defense; document everything.
- Act before filing day: pay, negotiate, or seek legal help.
- After filing, the clock speeds up—review the eviction timeline guide.
