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Eastpointe is a mid-sized city in Macomb County, located just north of Detroit along the Eight Mile Road corridor. The city has a significant renter population, and many households rely on affordable rental housing in older single-family homes and smaller apartment complexes. Renters in Eastpointe frequently search for information on security deposit returns, eviction procedures, and what to do when a landlord refuses to make repairs.
All tenant protections in Eastpointe flow from Michigan state law — there are no separate local ordinances that go beyond what the state requires. The two most important laws governing rental housing in Michigan are the Michigan Truth in Renting Act and the general landlord-tenant statutes found in M.C.L. Chapter 554. Understanding these statutes is the most important step Eastpointe renters can take to protect themselves.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific legal problem, contact a qualified attorney or free legal aid organization.
Rent control is prohibited in Eastpointe and throughout Michigan. Michigan Public Act 226 of 1988, codified at M.C.L. § 123.409, explicitly preempts all local governments — including cities, townships, and counties — from enacting any ordinance, regulation, or policy that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential housing. This preemption has been in force since 1988 and has never been repealed or modified.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Eastpointe can raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance notice before the increase takes effect. There is no cap on how large an increase can be, no requirement that the landlord justify the increase, and no city or county agency in Macomb County with authority to review or limit rent hikes. If your lease has not expired, your landlord generally cannot raise your rent mid-lease unless the lease specifically permits it — but once the lease term ends, any new rent amount may be proposed.
Renters facing significant rent increases should carefully review the notice provisions in their lease and the state's minimum notice requirements (see the Eviction section below) to understand their options before the new rent takes effect.
Michigan state law provides several important protections for Eastpointe renters. Below is a summary of the key protections and the statutes that create them.
Security Deposits (M.C.L. § 554.602 – § 554.616): A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than one and one-half months' rent. Within 30 days after you move out, the landlord must send you an itemized list of any deductions and return any remaining balance. If the landlord fails to follow this process — including failing to provide a move-in inventory checklist — the landlord forfeits the right to keep any portion of the deposit.
Habitability and Repairs (M.C.L. § 125.534; Michigan Truth in Renting Act): Landlords in Michigan are required to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes maintaining structural integrity, plumbing, heating, and weatherproofing. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice from the tenant, the tenant may be able to deposit rent with the court — known as the rent escrow remedy — while the dispute is resolved. Tenants should document all repair requests in writing and keep copies.
Notice to Terminate (M.C.L. § 554.134): For a month-to-month tenancy, either the landlord or the tenant must give 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. Week-to-week tenancies require at least 7 days' notice.
Anti-Retaliation (Michigan common law and M.C.L. § 600.5720): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations to a government agency, requesting repairs, or otherwise exercising legal rights. Retaliatory eviction — filing for eviction because a tenant complained — is a recognized defense in Michigan district court and may result in dismissal of the eviction case.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.C.L. § 600.2918): Self-help eviction is illegal in Michigan. A landlord who changes your locks, removes your belongings, or shuts off utilities to force you to leave — without going through the court process — may be liable for your actual damages plus attorney's fees. The only legal way to remove a tenant is through the formal court eviction (summary proceedings) process.
Michigan's Security Deposit Act, M.C.L. § 554.602 through § 554.616, governs every security deposit collected by landlords in Eastpointe.
Deposit Cap: A landlord may not require a security deposit greater than one and one-half (1.5) times the monthly rent. For example, if your monthly rent is $1,000, the maximum deposit is $1,500. Any amount collected above this cap must be returned to the tenant.
Move-In Checklist: At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must provide you with a written inventory of the condition of the rental unit. You have the right to note any existing damage and return a signed copy to the landlord within seven days. Keeping a copy of this checklist is critical — if the landlord never provided one, they may lose the right to make deductions from the deposit.
Return Deadline: After you move out, the landlord has 30 days to either return the full deposit or send you an itemized written statement listing all deductions, along with any remaining balance. The statement must be sent to your last known address by first-class mail.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: Under M.C.L. § 554.613, if the landlord fails to provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, or fails to follow the proper procedures, the landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit. You may also be entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld in some circumstances. To pursue a claim, you must provide the landlord with a written forwarding address within four days of moving out — failure to do so can limit your remedies.
Evictions in Eastpointe are governed by Michigan's summary proceedings statutes, primarily M.C.L. § 600.5701 through § 600.5759, and must go through Macomb County's 38th District Court. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve you with written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Court Filing: If you do not comply with the notice (by paying, curing the violation, or vacating), the landlord may file a complaint for summary possession at Macomb County's 38th District Court. You will be served with a summons and a court date, typically within a few weeks of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both you and your landlord appear before a judge or magistrate. You have the right to present defenses, including payment of rent, improper notice, retaliation, or uninhabitable conditions. If you have a defense, it is critical to appear — failing to show up will almost certainly result in a default judgment against you.
Step 4 — Judgment and Order of Eviction: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. The landlord can then request an order of eviction (writ of restitution) if you do not vacate voluntarily. A court officer (bailiff), not the landlord, executes the order.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under M.C.L. § 600.2918, a landlord who locks you out, removes your belongings, or shuts off utilities to force you to leave — without a court order — is breaking the law. You may sue for actual damages and attorney's fees. Contact law enforcement or a legal aid organization immediately if this occurs.
Just Cause: Michigan does not require landlords to have just cause to end a tenancy at the expiration of a lease term. However, as noted above, proper written notice is mandatory in all cases.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects our understanding of Michigan landlord-tenant law as of April 2026, but laws and local regulations can change. Every tenant's situation is unique, and this page cannot account for the specific facts of your case. If you have a housing legal problem — including an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or an uninhabitable living condition — please consult a qualified Michigan attorney or contact a free legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no warranties about the completeness or accuracy of this information and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on it.
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