By Angel Campa, Founder · Updated March 2026
Michigan commercial landlord-tenant law is primarily contract-driven and operates under a framework that favors enforcement of the negotiated lease agreement with relatively limited statutory intervention. Commercial tenancies are not covered by the Michigan Truth in Renting Act or the residential Anti-Lockout Statute, though Michigan courts have broadly prohibited self-help commercial evictions under common law and the general prohibition on breach of the peace.
Michigan's Summary Proceedings Act (M.C.L. Chapter 600, Subchapter 57) governs commercial evictions, providing a structured but reasonably expeditious pathway through the District Court system. Detroit and other major Michigan markets do not impose a commercial rent tax. The state is notable for its robust commercial landlord lien rights and for M.C.L. 554.134, which establishes default notice periods for lease termination when the commercial lease is silent.
Governs the judicial process for recovering possession of commercial premises, requiring mandatory written notice and a formal District Court filing before eviction can proceed.
View statute →Establishes default notice periods for terminating commercial tenancies in Michigan when the lease is silent, based on the rental payment frequency.
View statute →Specifies the grounds on which a landlord may bring a Summary Proceedings action for possession of commercial real property, including nonpayment and lease violation.
View statute →| Type | Period | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment of Rent | 7 days | Under M.C.L. 600.5714, a commercial landlord must serve a written 7-day Notice to Quit for nonpayment of rent before filing a Summary Proceedings action in District Court. |
| Lease Violation (Non-Monetary) | 30 days | For material non-monetary lease violations, Michigan requires at least 30 days' written notice to cure the violation or vacate before the landlord may commence Summary Proceedings. |
| Month-to-Month Termination | 1 month (30 days) | Under M.C.L. 554.134, to terminate a month-to-month commercial tenancy, either party must provide at least one month's prior written notice before the end of the rental period. |
No statutory audit rights; all audit provisions must be negotiated in the lease.
Michigan does not provide statutory audit rights for commercial tenants with respect to CAM charges, operating expenses, or property tax reconciliations. The right to audit, the permissible look-back period, required auditor credentials, cost allocation, and record retention obligations are all matters of contract. Michigan commercial practitioners commonly negotiate 1–3 year look-back periods with CPA audit requirements in institutional lease forms.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about commercial landlord-tenant law in Michigan. It is not legal advice. Laws change frequently and local ordinances may impose additional requirements. Consult a licensed attorney in Michigan for guidance specific to your situation.
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