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Ferndale is a compact, densely populated city in Oakland County, bordering Detroit to the north. With a strong rental market driven by young professionals and a walkable urban core, a significant portion of Ferndale residents are renters. Tenants in Ferndale frequently ask about rent increases, security deposit returns, and what happens if a landlord refuses to make repairs — all areas governed by Michigan state law.
Michigan's landlord-tenant framework is set at the state level. Ferndale has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law provides. That means the Michigan Security Deposit Act (M.C.L. § 554.601 et seq.), the Michigan Truth in Renting Act (M.C.L. § 554.631 et seq.), and the Michigan Anti-Lockout Statute (M.C.L. § 600.2918) are the primary sources of protection for Ferndale renters.
This page summarizes your rights as a Ferndale tenant under Michigan law. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual situations vary — consult a licensed Michigan attorney or free legal aid organization if you have a specific housing problem.
Ferndale has no rent control, and no Michigan city does. Michigan state law explicitly prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinance or regulation that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property. This preemption is codified at M.C.L. § 123.409 and has been in effect since 1988. Any ordinance a city like Ferndale attempted to pass limiting rent increases would be void under state law.
In practice, this means your landlord can raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time — as long as they give you proper advance notice (at least 30 days for month-to-month tenants under M.C.L. § 554.134) and the increase does not take effect during a fixed lease term without your agreement. There is no cap on rent increases, no required justification, and no local board to appeal to. Ferndale renters facing large rent hikes have the option to negotiate with their landlord or choose not to renew their lease.
Michigan law provides several meaningful protections for Ferndale tenants, even in the absence of rent control or local ordinances.
Security Deposits (M.C.L. § 554.601–554.616): Landlords may not charge more than 1.5 months' rent as a security deposit. Within 30 days of your move-out, the landlord must mail you an itemized list of claimed damages and return any remaining balance. If the landlord fails to follow this process — including the requirement to provide a move-in inventory form at the start of tenancy — they forfeit the right to keep any portion of the deposit.
Habitability and Repairs (M.C.L. § 125.534; Michigan common law): Landlords in Ferndale are legally required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition — meaning functioning heat, plumbing, safe structure, and freedom from significant health hazards. If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs after you give written notice, you may petition the court to pay rent into an escrow account until repairs are completed, under the rent escrow remedy at M.C.L. § 125.534.
30-Day Notice to Terminate (M.C.L. § 554.134): A landlord renting on a month-to-month basis must give you at least 30 days' written notice before terminating your tenancy. The notice must be given within the same rental period it is intended to take effect. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to at least 7 days' notice.
Anti-Retaliation (Michigan common law and M.C.L. § 600.5720): Michigan courts recognize retaliatory eviction as a defense. If your landlord raises rent, threatens eviction, or reduces services shortly after you report a code violation, contact an inspector, or exercise a legal right, you may assert retaliation as a defense in eviction proceedings.
Lockout Prohibition (M.C.L. § 600.2918): A landlord may not remove you from your home through self-help measures such as changing your locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages or $200 per day (whichever is greater), plus court costs and attorney's fees.
Michigan's Security Deposit Act (M.C.L. § 554.601–554.616) governs every security deposit in Ferndale. Key rules include:
Cap: Your landlord cannot require a security deposit exceeding 1.5 times the monthly rent. For example, on a $1,200/month unit, the maximum deposit is $1,800.
Move-In Inventory: Within 7 days of move-in, your landlord must provide a written inventory of the unit's condition. You have 7 days to object to any inaccuracies. If the landlord does not provide this form, they cannot deduct for damages at move-out (M.C.L. § 554.608).
Return Deadline: Within 30 days of your move-out, the landlord must send you a written itemized statement of any claimed damages and return the remaining deposit balance. The statement must be mailed to your last known address or a forwarding address you provided (M.C.L. § 554.609).
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If the landlord fails to send the itemized statement within 30 days, or improperly withholds the deposit, they forfeit their right to keep any portion of the deposit and must return it in full. You may file a claim in small claims court (up to $7,500) or district court to recover the wrongfully withheld amount (M.C.L. § 554.613).
Protect Yourself: Always provide a written forwarding address upon move-out, document the unit's condition with photos and video, and keep copies of all written communications with your landlord.
Ferndale evictions must follow the procedures established under Michigan law. There is no just-cause eviction requirement — a landlord whose lease has expired may choose not to renew without providing a reason, as long as proper notice is given.
Step 1 — 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 — Court Filing: If you do not vacate after the notice period, the landlord may file a Summary Proceedings complaint in the 43rd District Court (Oakland County), which handles Ferndale cases. You will be served with a summons specifying a hearing date, typically within 10 days of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge or magistrate. You have the right to present defenses, including that the landlord failed to maintain habitable conditions, retaliated against you, or did not follow proper notice procedures. Bring documentation such as repair requests, photographs, and any written communications.
Step 4 — Judgment and Writ of Eviction: If the court rules for the landlord, it may issue a judgment for possession. If you do not leave voluntarily, the landlord can request a Writ of Eviction. Only a court officer (bailiff or sheriff's deputy) may physically remove a tenant — not the landlord.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.C.L. § 600.2918, a landlord who locks you out, removes your belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise tries to force you out without a court order commits an illegal act. You may recover actual damages or $200 per day (whichever is greater), plus attorney's fees.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. If you have a specific housing problem — including an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or a habitability complaint — please consult a licensed Michigan attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as Michigan Legal Help (michiganlegalhelp.org). Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently, as laws may have changed after this page was last updated in April 2026.
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