Michigan · Landlord-tenant dispute

Landlord-tenant dispute in Michigan small claims

Unpaid rent, withheld deposit, or property damage? Resolve it in small claims.

Landlord-tenant disputes over money — unpaid rent, a withheld deposit, damage charges, or a landlord's failure to make repairs you paid for — often end up in small claims court. The key to a strong case is a clear paper trail: your lease, rent receipts, move-in and move-out documentation, and all written communication with the other party. You do not need a lawyer to present this kind of claim.

In Michigan, small-claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Division of the District Court and you can sue for up to $7,000 (periodically adjusted for inflation).

Good to know: Michigan small-claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Division of the District Court. An attorney cannot represent a party in the small claims division; if the defendant wants an attorney, the defendant can demand that the case be moved to the general civil division. There is no traditional written “answer” in small claims; the case proceeds on an appearance date. The maximum recoverable amount is currently $7,000 (MCL 600.8401) and is periodically adjusted for inflation.

Landlord-tenant dispute in Michigan: local specifics

Michigan's Small Claims Division handles landlord-tenant money disputes. Attorneys are not permitted to represent parties at the hearing, and the defendant can opt to move the case to the general civil division where attorney representation is allowed.

Landlord-tenant dispute: steps that matter

1. Gather your lease, all rent payment records, and any written communication between you and the other party about the dispute.
2. Document the property's condition thoroughly — photos and videos at move-in, during the tenancy, and at move-out.
3. Send a written demand stating exactly what you are claiming and why, and keep proof of delivery.
4. Confirm whether your state has a separate, shorter statutory deadline for your specific claim (such as deposit return) with your court or local housing authority.
5. File in the small claims court for the county where the rental property is located.

Filing your Affidavit and Claim (Form DC 84) in Michigan

1. Fill out the Affidavit and Claim (Form DC 84). Complete items 1 through 12 of Form DC 84 (Affidavit and Claim, Small Claims) online or on a paper copy from the court, identifying the plaintiff, defendant, date and amount of the dispute, and the reason for the claim. Do not sign until you are in front of a notary or the clerk of the court.
2. Sign the affidavit under oath and make copies. The form must be signed under oath in front of a notary public or the clerk of the court, after showing photo identification. Make all necessary copies (print all four copies if filing in person).
3. File with the clerk and pay the filing fee. File the affidavit and claim with the clerk of the proper district court, in person or by mail, and pay the filing fee at the same time (see MCL 600.8415 for the proper venue). If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk for a Fee Waiver Request (Form MC 20).
4. Arrange for service on the defendant. Pay for and arrange service. The clerk keeps the original for the court file and arranges to serve one copy on each defendant by personal delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, deliverable to the addressee only; the clerk completes the notice of hearing and assigns a case number.
5. Appear at the scheduled hearing. Proof of service is filed with the court. Bring your copy of the affidavit and claim, your evidence, and your witnesses to the hearing on the scheduled appearance date and present your case to the district court judge or attorney magistrate. If you are not present when the case is called, it will probably be dismissed.

Filing fees: Filing fees vary by claim amount; confirm the current amount with the court. A fee waiver (Form MC 20) is available.

Deadline that applies to your landlord-tenant dispute

A landlord-tenant money dispute is usually grounded in the lease — a contract — so the contract statute of limitations is the typical outer deadline for filing. Many states also have separate landlord-tenant statutes with shorter deadlines for specific remedies such as security deposit return. Confirm which deadline applies to your exact claim with the court or your state's official landlord-tenant resource.

Written contract: 6 years (MCL § 600.5807)

Answering a lawsuit: No written answer is required in the small claims division. Instead, the defendant must appear at the hearing on the appearance date set by the court; the defendant must be served at least 7 days before the appearance date for the court to have jurisdiction (unless the defendant appears and does not request a continuance). (A 14-day written-answer deadline applies only if the case is removed out of the small claims division to the general civil division.)

Serving the defendant: The clerk arranges service of one copy on each defendant either by personal delivery (personal service) or by certified mail, return receipt requested and deliverable to the addressee only. The defendant must be served at least 7 days before the appearance date.

Appeals: By choosing the small claims division the parties generally waive the right of appeal. However, if the case is heard by a district court magistrate, either party may take an appeal de novo as of right to the small claims division of the district court, which must be taken within 7 days after entry of the magistrate's decision. There is no further appeal from the district court judge's judgment.

All Michigan small-claims deadlines

The table below lists the filing deadlines Small Claims Division of the District Court applies by claim category. Confirm the exact rule that applies to your landlord-tenant dispute claim with your court before relying on any figure.

Michigan small-claims forms for your landlord-tenant dispute case

These forms are published by the Small Claims Division of the District Court. CaseBySelf can pre-fill them automatically from your case details.

• Affidavit and Claim, Small Claims (DC 84): Starts a Michigan small-claims case.
• How to Get a Money Judgment in Small Claims Court (DC 84 instructions): Instructions for using Michigan Form DC 84 to start a small-claims case.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and CaseBySelf is not a law firm. Rules, fees, and deadlines change and vary by court: verify with the specific court where you file. Source: Michigan Courts: INST DC 84, How to Get a Money Judgment in Small Claims Court / Instructions for Affidavit and Claim (SCAO-approved, Rev. 1/24). Last reviewed 2026-06-23.