Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Grand Haven is a lakeside city in Ottawa County, Michigan, situated along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Its mix of year-round residents, seasonal visitors, and a growing number of renters drawn to the area's coastal character makes understanding local landlord-tenant law especially important for anyone renting here. Because Michigan state law governs virtually all aspects of the rental relationship, the same rules that apply across the state apply fully in Grand Haven.
Renters in Grand Haven most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, what happens when a landlord refuses to make repairs, and the steps required before a landlord can begin the eviction process. Michigan's landlord-tenant statutes — primarily found in M.C.L. §§ 554.601–554.641 and M.C.L. § 600.2918 — set clear timelines and remedies that tenants can enforce in Ottawa County's 58th District Court.
This page provides a plain-language summary of those protections. It is informational only and is not a substitute for legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, contact a licensed Michigan attorney or a legal aid organization serving Ottawa County.
Grand Haven has no rent control, and no Michigan city or municipality may enact one. Michigan state law — specifically M.C.L. § 123.409, enacted in 1988 — expressly prohibits local governments from adopting any ordinance, regulation, or policy that controls or limits the amount of rent a landlord may charge for residential property. This statewide preemption applies equally to Grand Haven and every other municipality in Michigan.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Grand Haven may increase rent by any dollar amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenancies, with at least 30 days' written notice before the next rental period begins. There is no cap on the size of an increase, no requirement to justify it, and no city office that oversees or approves rent hikes. Renters whose leases are ending should review their lease terms carefully and understand that Michigan law provides no mechanism to challenge a rent increase as excessive.
Although Grand Haven has no local tenant ordinances beyond state law, Michigan law provides several meaningful protections for renters.
Security Deposits (M.C.L. §§ 554.602–554.616): Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one and one-half months' rent. At move-in, the landlord must provide written notice of the tenant's rights and the name of the financial institution holding the deposit. Within 30 days of the tenant vacating, the landlord must send an itemized statement of any deductions and return the remaining balance. Failure to comply with these procedures forfeits the landlord's right to retain any portion of the deposit.
Habitability and Repairs (M.C.L. § 125.534; Michigan Common Law): Landlords are required to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation, including functioning heat, plumbing, and structurally safe conditions. If a landlord fails to repair a serious defect after written notice, a tenant may deposit rent with the court through the rent escrow remedy under M.C.L. § 125.534, compelling the landlord to act before the funds are released.
Notice to Terminate (M.C.L. § 554.134): To end a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice. The notice must be delivered during the same rental period in which it is intended to take effect. A lease for a fixed term ends automatically at the stated expiration date unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation (Michigan Common Law and M.C.L. § 600.5720): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations to a government agency, requesting repairs, or exercising any other legal right. Retaliatory eviction is a recognized affirmative defense in Michigan courts. Evidence of retaliation can include a landlord's attempt to raise rent or terminate a tenancy shortly after a tenant complains to authorities.
Lockout Prohibition (M.C.L. § 600.2918): Self-help eviction is illegal in Michigan. A landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order may be held liable for the greater of the tenant's actual damages or $200 per day for each day of the illegal exclusion, plus attorney's fees and court costs.
Michigan's Security Deposit Act (M.C.L. §§ 554.602–554.616) establishes the full framework for security deposits in Grand Haven rentals.
Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding one and one-half (1.5) times the monthly rent. For example, on a unit renting for $1,000 per month, the maximum deposit is $1,500.
At Move-In: The landlord must provide a written inventory checklist describing the condition of the rental unit and must give the tenant written notice identifying the bank or financial institution holding the deposit. The tenant has seven days to return a signed copy of the inventory or submit a written objection. Failure to give required notices can jeopardize the landlord's ability to make deductions later.
Return Deadline: Within 30 days of the date the tenant moves out and returns possession of the unit, the landlord must either return the full deposit or mail an itemized statement of damages and deductions along with any remaining balance. The itemized statement must be sent by first-class mail to the tenant's forwarding address.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If the landlord fails to provide the itemized statement within 30 days, the landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit and may be liable to the tenant for twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs, under M.C.L. § 554.613. Tenants should always provide a written forwarding address in writing at move-out to start the 30-day clock.
Evictions in Grand Haven follow Michigan's Summary Proceedings Act, governed primarily by M.C.L. §§ 600.5701–600.5759, and are heard in the 58th District Court for Ottawa County.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with the legally required written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction: (a) Non-payment of rent — 7-day demand for payment or possession (M.C.L. § 600.5714(1)(b)); (b) Lease violation — 30-day notice to comply or quit for most violations; (c) Month-to-month termination — 30 days' written notice under M.C.L. § 554.134; (d) End of lease term — no notice required if the lease expires and the tenant was given prior notice per the lease terms.
Step 2 — Filing a Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate or cure the violation within the notice period, the landlord may file a Summary Proceedings complaint with the 58th District Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a district court judge or magistrate. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including improper notice, habitability issues, or retaliation. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: After a judgment, the landlord may request a writ of restitution. If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, a court officer (not the landlord) carries out the physical removal. No landlord may personally remove a tenant or their belongings without a writ.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.C.L. § 600.2918, a landlord who changes the locks, removes the tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or uses any other method to force a tenant out without a court order faces liability for damages of up to $200 per day plus attorney's fees. Tenants subjected to a lockout should contact local law enforcement and consult a legal aid organization immediately.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and local court interpretations may affect how statutes apply to your specific situation. This page reflects our best understanding of Michigan law as of April 2026, but you should verify current rules with a licensed Michigan attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by using this site.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.