Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 (2026)

Itemized list of damages; check or money order; contents of notice of damages.

✓ current as of July 2026

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LANDLORD AND TENANT RELATIONSHIPS

Act 348 of 1972

554.609 Itemized list of damages; check or money order; contents of notice of damages.

Sec. 9.

In case of damage to the rental unit or other obligation against the security deposit, the landlord shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, an itemized list of damages claimed for which the security deposit may be used as provided in section 7, including the estimated cost of repair of each property damaged item and the amounts and bases on which he intends to assess the tenant. The list shall be accompanied by a check or money order for the difference between the damages claimed and the amount of the security deposit held by the landlord and shall not include any damages that were claimed on a previous termination inventory checklist prior to the tenant's occupancy of the rental unit. The notice of damages shall include the following statement in 12 point boldface type which shall be at least 4 points larger than the body of the notice: "You must respond to this notice by mail within 7 days after receipt of same, otherwise you will forfeit the amount claimed for damages.".

History: 1972, Act 348, Eff. Apr. 1, 1973

PopularName Notes:

Landlord-Tenant Act

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1983–2023 · leading case: Smolen v. Dahlmann Apts., Ltd, 338 N.W.2d 892 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983).

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Smolen v. Dahlmann Apts., Ltd, 338 N.W.2d 892 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 3× “MCL 554.609; MSA 26.1138(9). (Emphasis added.”

Hovanesian v. Nam, 539 N.W.2d 557 (Mich. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 2× “MCL 554.609; MSA 26.1138(9). The landlord who fails to comply with the notice requirement waives his right to retain the deposit.”

Oak Park Vill. v. Gorton, 341 N.W.2d 788 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983). “’ ” MCL 554.609; MSA 26.1138(9). "Sec. 10. Failure by the landlord to comply with the notice of damages requirement within the 30 days after the termination of occupancy, constitutes agreement by the landlord that no damages are due and he shall remit to the tenant immediately…”

Gabrielle Beebe v. Ag Mgmt. Co. LLC (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “MCL 554.609 provides, in pertinent part: In case of damage to the rental unit or other obligation against the security deposit, the landlord[2] shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, an itemized list of damages claimed for which the security…”

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