Tenant Rights in Beverly Hills, Michigan

Key Takeaways

  • None — prohibited by Michigan state law (M.C.L. § 123.409) since 1988
  • Capped at 1.5 months' rent; landlord must return balance with itemized statement within 30 days of move-out or forfeit right to withhold (M.C.L. § 554.613)
  • At least 30 days' written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (M.C.L. § 554.134)
  • No just cause requirement in Beverly Hills; however, proper statutory notice and court process are required for all evictions under Michigan law
  • Michigan Legal Help, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Wayne Metro Community Action Agency – Housing

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills is a village of approximately 10,000 residents in Oakland County, Michigan, situated just north of Detroit in one of the state's most affluent suburban corridors. While the village is predominantly owner-occupied, renters in Beverly Hills are fully subject to Michigan's landlord-tenant statutes, which govern everything from how much a landlord can collect as a security deposit to the steps required before a tenant can be legally evicted.

The most common questions Beverly Hills renters have involve security deposit returns, rent increase limits, and the eviction process. Because Michigan law prohibits rent control statewide, there are no caps on how much a landlord may raise the rent — but tenants retain meaningful protections around habitability, retaliation, and self-help eviction. Understanding these state-level rights is essential for any renter in Oakland County.

This article is intended as informational guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you are facing an eviction, a deposit dispute, or another housing issue, consult a qualified attorney or a local legal aid organization for advice specific to your situation.

2. Does Beverly Hills Have Rent Control?

There is no rent control in Beverly Hills, Michigan — and no Michigan city or village may enact one. Michigan state law explicitly preempts all local rent control ordinances under M.C.L. § 123.409, which has been in effect since 1988. The statute provides that a local unit of government may not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential property.

In practice, this means a landlord in Beverly Hills may raise your rent by any amount and at any time, as long as they provide the proper written notice required under Michigan law (at least 30 days for month-to-month tenants under M.C.L. § 554.134). There is no limit on the size of the increase, no requirement to justify the increase, and no local body that reviews rent hikes. Tenants whose leases are ending have the choice to accept the new rent, negotiate, or vacate when the lease term expires.

While this may feel like a significant gap in protection, Michigan's other tenant rights statutes — covering deposits, repairs, and eviction procedures — still provide an important framework of protections that Beverly Hills renters can and should understand.

3. Michigan State Tenant Protections That Apply in Beverly Hills

Michigan's landlord-tenant law provides several key protections that apply to all renters in Beverly Hills:

Security Deposits (M.C.L. § 554.602 – § 554.616): Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one and a half months' rent. Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out, the landlord must provide an itemized written statement of any deductions and return any remaining balance. Failure to follow this procedure forfeits the landlord's right to retain any portion of the deposit.

Habitability & Repairs (M.C.L. § 125.534; Michigan Truth in Renting Act, M.C.L. § 554.631 et seq.): Landlords are required to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation, including working heat, plumbing, and structural safety. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice from the tenant, the tenant may deposit rent with the court under Michigan's rent escrow remedy (M.C.L. § 125.534), compelling the landlord to address deficiencies before funds are released.

Notice to Terminate (M.C.L. § 554.134): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must provide at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the lease. The notice must be given within the same rental period in which it is intended to take effect. Fixed-term leases expire on their stated end date without additional notice, unless the parties agree otherwise.

Anti-Retaliation (Michigan common law and M.C.L. § 600.5720): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations, organizing with other tenants, or exercising any legal right. Retaliatory eviction is a recognized affirmative defense in Michigan district courts. Evidence of an eviction notice or rent increase issued shortly after a protected complaint may support a retaliation claim.

Lockout Prohibition (M.C.L. § 600.2918): Self-help eviction is illegal in Michigan. A landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, or shuts off utilities in order to force a tenant out — without a court order — may be held liable for the tenant's actual damages, plus attorney's fees. The only lawful way to remove a tenant is through the formal summary proceedings process in district court.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Beverly Hills

Michigan law closely regulates security deposits for all Beverly Hills rentals under M.C.L. § 554.602 through § 554.616.

Cap: A landlord may not require a security deposit exceeding one and a half (1.5) months' rent. Any amount collected above this limit must be returned to the tenant.

Move-In Requirements: Within 14 days of occupancy, the landlord must provide the tenant with a written inventory checklist of the condition of the unit. The tenant has 7 days to object in writing to any items listed. This checklist is critical — a landlord who fails to provide it may not make deductions from the deposit for pre-existing damage (M.C.L. § 554.608).

Return Deadline: Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord must mail or deliver an itemized written statement of any deductions (for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, etc.) along with any balance owed. The statement must be sent to the tenant's last known address or a forwarding address provided by the tenant (M.C.L. § 554.609).

Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to provide the itemized statement within 30 days, or fails to return the remaining balance, the landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit and may be liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney's fees, if the tenant pursues the matter in court (M.C.L. § 554.613). Tenants should always provide a forwarding address in writing at move-out to protect this timeline.

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Beverly Hills

Michigan law governs all eviction proceedings in Beverly Hills through the summary proceedings process set out in M.C.L. § 600.5701 et seq. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without first completing the following steps:

Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve a written notice on the tenant. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:

Step 2 — Filing in District Court: If the tenant does not vacate after receiving proper notice, the landlord may file a complaint for summary proceedings in Oakland County District Court. Beverly Hills falls within the 48th District Court's jurisdiction.

Step 3 — Hearing: The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 10 days of service of the summons on the tenant. Tenants have the right to appear, present defenses (such as habitability issues, retaliation, or improper notice), and, in non-payment cases, pay the amount owed to stop the eviction.

Step 4 — Judgment and Writ of Eviction: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. The landlord may then obtain a writ of eviction, which authorizes the county sheriff or court officer to physically remove the tenant. Tenants typically have at least 10 days after judgment to vacate voluntarily before the writ is executed.

Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, removes the tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order violates M.C.L. § 600.2918. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may sue for actual damages and attorney's fees. If this happens to you, contact legal aid or law enforcement immediately.

6. Resources for Beverly Hills Tenants

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Michigan — including statutes governing security deposits, eviction procedures, and habitability — can change, and the specific facts of your situation may affect how the law applies to you. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal matter, you should consult a licensed Michigan attorney or contact a local legal aid organization for advice tailored to your circumstances.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Beverly Hills have rent control?
No. Beverly Hills, Michigan has no rent control, and it cannot enact one. Michigan state law expressly prohibits all local governments from passing rent control ordinances under M.C.L. § 123.409, a preemption that has been in place since 1988. This applies to every city, village, and township in the state, including Beverly Hills.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Beverly Hills?
There is no limit on the amount of a rent increase in Beverly Hills. Because Michigan's preemption statute (M.C.L. § 123.409) bars rent control statewide, landlords may raise rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenants, however, the landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect, as required by M.C.L. § 554.134. Fixed-term lease rents generally cannot be changed until the lease expires unless the lease allows for it.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Beverly Hills?
Your landlord has 30 days after you vacate the unit to return your security deposit balance along with an itemized written statement of any deductions, under M.C.L. § 554.609. If the landlord fails to provide the itemized statement or return the remaining balance within that window, they forfeit all right to keep any portion of the deposit and may owe you double the amount wrongfully withheld under M.C.L. § 554.613. Always provide a written forwarding address at move-out to protect this deadline.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Beverly Hills?
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, the landlord must serve a 7-day written demand for possession under M.C.L. § 600.5714(1)(b). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, at least 30 days' written notice is required under M.C.L. § 554.134. After proper notice, the landlord must still file in Oakland County District Court and obtain a judgment before you can be lawfully removed — there is no valid eviction without a court order.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Beverly Hills?
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Michigan. A landlord who changes your locks, removes your belongings, or cuts off utilities to force you out — without a court order — violates M.C.L. § 600.2918 and may be liable for your actual damages plus attorney's fees. If your landlord takes any of these actions, document everything, contact local law enforcement, and reach out to a legal aid organization immediately.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Beverly Hills?
Michigan law requires landlords to maintain rental units in a habitable condition under M.C.L. § 125.534 and the Michigan Truth in Renting Act (M.C.L. § 554.631 et seq.). If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice from you, you may be entitled to use Michigan's rent escrow remedy — depositing rent with the district court rather than paying the landlord — to compel action. You may also file a complaint with Beverly Hills or Oakland County code enforcement. Consult Michigan Legal Help (michiganlegalhelp.org) or a legal aid attorney to determine the best course of action for your situation.

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