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Fraser is a city of roughly 15,000 residents in Macomb County, situated in metro Detroit's northern suburbs. A significant share of Fraser households rent, and like all Michigan renters, they are protected exclusively by state law — the Michigan Landlord-Tenant Act and related statutes — rather than any local ordinance. Renters in Fraser most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, rent increases, repair obligations, and eviction notice requirements.
Michigan law provides meaningful protections in several key areas: it caps security deposits, requires landlords to maintain habitable premises, prohibits retaliatory evictions, and outlaws self-help evictions such as lockouts or utility shutoffs. At the same time, Michigan offers no rent control anywhere in the state, meaning landlords in Fraser may raise rent by any amount as long as they give proper advance notice.
This page summarizes the Michigan statutes that apply to Fraser renters. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed Michigan attorney or contact a local legal aid organization for guidance tailored to your situation.
Fraser has no rent control, and no Michigan city does. Michigan state law explicitly preempts local governments from enacting any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential housing. This prohibition is codified at M.C.L. § 123.409, which has been in effect since 1988. Because of this preemption, Fraser's city government has no legal authority to pass a rent stabilization or rent control ordinance, even if it wanted to.
In practice, this means your landlord in Fraser may raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time, subject only to the requirement that they give you proper advance written notice before the increase takes effect (see the Notice to Terminate section below for notice periods). There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of a rent increase, and there is no city agency that reviews or approves rent hikes. Tenants whose leases are expiring should be aware that landlords may offer lease renewals at significantly higher rates with no legal ceiling on the increase.
Michigan's landlord-tenant statutes establish baseline protections that apply to every rental unit in Fraser. The following protections are the most important for Fraser renters to understand.
Security Deposits (M.C.L. § 554.613): Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one and one-half months' rent. Within 30 days after you move out, your landlord must send you an itemized statement of any deductions and return any remaining balance. Failure to comply with the statutory process — including the requirement to provide a forwarding-address request form at move-in — can result in the landlord forfeiting the right to keep any portion of the deposit.
Habitability & Repairs (M.C.L. § 125.534; Michigan Truth in Renting Act): Landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, including functioning heating, plumbing, electrical systems, and weatherproofing. If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice, Michigan law provides a rent-escrow remedy: you may petition the court to deposit your rent into escrow until repairs are completed.
Notice to Terminate (M.C.L. § 554.134): To end a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least 30 days' written notice. That notice must be delivered within the same rental period in which it is intended to take effect. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to at least 7 days' notice. These requirements apply equally when a tenant wishes to terminate their own tenancy.
Anti-Retaliation (Michigan common law; M.C.L. § 600.5720): A landlord cannot retaliate against you for reporting code violations to a government agency, complaining about habitability issues, or exercising any right granted under your lease or Michigan law. Retaliatory eviction is a recognized affirmative defense in Michigan district court eviction proceedings.
Lockout Prohibition (M.C.L. § 600.2918): Self-help eviction is illegal in Michigan. A landlord who removes your belongings, changes your locks, or intentionally shuts off your heat, water, or electricity to force you out may be sued for actual damages plus attorney's fees. The only lawful way to remove a tenant in Michigan is through the formal court eviction process.
Michigan's Security Deposit Act (M.C.L. § 554.602 – 554.616) governs every aspect of how your landlord must handle your deposit in Fraser.
Cap: Your landlord cannot require a security deposit exceeding one and one-half (1.5) times the monthly rent. For example, if your monthly rent is $1,200, the maximum deposit is $1,800.
Move-In Requirements: Within 14 days of move-in, your landlord must provide you with a written inventory of the rental unit's condition. You have the right to respond within 7 days. The landlord must also give you a forwarding-address request form. Failure to follow these steps restricts the landlord's ability to make deductions later.
Return Deadline: After you move out and provide a forwarding address, your landlord has 30 days to return your deposit along with a written, itemized statement of any amounts withheld for damages or unpaid rent (M.C.L. § 554.613). General wear and tear cannot be deducted.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If your landlord fails to send the itemized statement within 30 days, or if they make improper deductions, they forfeit the right to retain any portion of the deposit. You may sue in small claims court (up to $7,000) or district court to recover the wrongfully withheld amount, plus court costs. Document everything with dated written communications and photos at move-out.
Michigan law requires landlords to follow a strict legal process before removing any tenant in Fraser. The steps below apply to most residential evictions under the Michigan Summary Proceedings Act (M.C.L. § 600.5701 et seq.).
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, your landlord must give you written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in District Court: If you do not comply with or contest the notice, your landlord may file a Summary Proceeding complaint in Macomb County's 39th District Court. You will receive a summons with a hearing date, typically scheduled within days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: You have the right to appear and present a defense at the hearing. Valid defenses include payment of rent, habitability issues (rent escrow), procedural defects in the notice, or retaliatory eviction. If the court rules in your landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Eviction: After judgment, the court may issue a writ of eviction, authorizing the county sheriff to physically remove you if you do not vacate voluntarily. There is typically a short stay period after judgment before the writ issues.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: At no point in this process may your landlord change your locks, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities to force you out. Doing so violates M.C.L. § 600.2918 and exposes the landlord to liability for actual damages and attorney's fees. Call local law enforcement or seek an emergency court order if your landlord attempts a self-help eviction.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the application of any statute depends on the specific facts of your situation. Fraser renters with individual landlord-tenant disputes should consult a licensed Michigan attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization for advice tailored to their circumstances. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided and assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content.
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