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New Baltimore sits along the shore of Anchor Bay in Macomb County, roughly 35 miles northeast of Detroit. The city's rental market is modest in scale but growing, driven in part by its proximity to Metro Detroit employment centers and its appeal as a waterfront community. Renters here are governed entirely by Michigan state law — the City of New Baltimore has enacted no local landlord-tenant ordinances beyond what the state requires.
Michigan's landlord-tenant framework covers security deposit limits, habitability standards, eviction procedures, and protections against retaliation and illegal lockouts. Because the state also prohibits local rent control by statute, landlords in New Baltimore are free to raise rents by any amount, provided they give proper written notice. Understanding the state-level rules is therefore essential for every New Baltimore renter.
This page summarizes the Michigan laws most relevant to New Baltimore tenants, including exact statute citations so you can verify the rules yourself. This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. If your situation is urgent or complex, contact a qualified attorney or free legal aid organization.
New Baltimore has no rent control, and no Michigan city does. Michigan state law has explicitly preempted local rent control since 1988 under M.C.L. § 123.409, which prohibits any city, township, or county from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property. The New Baltimore City Council has no legal authority to pass a rent stabilization measure of any kind.
In practical terms, this means your landlord can raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time — there is no cap on percentage increases, no required justification, and no city board to appeal to. The only legal constraint is the notice requirement: for month-to-month tenancies, landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (M.C.L. § 554.134). Fixed-term lease tenants are protected from increases until their lease expires, after which the landlord may propose a new rent upon renewal.
Security Deposits (M.C.L. § 554.602 – § 554.616): Michigan law caps security deposits at one and one-half months' rent. Within 30 days after you move out, your landlord must mail you an itemized list of any claimed damages and return any unused balance. If your landlord fails to follow this process — including providing a proper move-in inventory checklist — they forfeit the right to keep any portion of the deposit.
Habitability and Repairs (M.C.L. § 125.534; Michigan common law): Landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and a structurally sound building. If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice, you may pursue a rent-escrow remedy by depositing rent with the district court until repairs are completed (M.C.L. § 125.534). You may also have grounds for a rent reduction or lease termination depending on the severity of the conditions.
Notice to Terminate (M.C.L. § 554.134): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the lease. This notice must be given within the same rental period in which it is intended to take effect. Fixed-term leases expire automatically at the end of their term unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation: Michigan courts recognize retaliatory eviction as a valid defense. If a landlord attempts to evict you, raise your rent, or reduce services within a short period after you reported a code violation, joined a tenant organization, or exercised another legal right, you may assert retaliation as a defense in court. Document all complaints and communications in writing.
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, shuts off utilities, or otherwise tries to force you out without going through the court process may be liable to you for actual damages plus attorney's fees under M.C.L. § 600.2918. Call local law enforcement immediately if this happens and document everything.
Under M.C.L. § 554.602, a landlord in New Baltimore may not collect a security deposit exceeding one and one-half months' rent. For example, if your monthly rent is $1,200, the maximum security deposit is $1,800.
Before or at the time you move in, your landlord must provide you with a written inventory of the condition of the unit (M.C.L. § 554.608). You have seven days to note any disagreements with that inventory in writing. Failing to provide this checklist is one of the ways a landlord can forfeit the right to make deductions.
After you move out, your landlord has 30 days to mail you either the full deposit or a written itemized statement of damages claimed, along with any balance not withheld (M.C.L. § 554.613). If the landlord fails to send the itemized statement within 30 days, they lose the legal right to keep any portion of the deposit, and you may sue in small claims court to recover the full amount. Make sure to provide your landlord with a forwarding address in writing so the clock on their 30-day deadline is clearly established.
Michigan law requires landlords to follow a formal court process to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts. Here is how the process works for New Baltimore renters:
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction: a 7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit for nonpayment of rent (M.C.L. § 600.5714); a 30-Day Notice to Quit for terminating a month-to-month tenancy without cause (M.C.L. § 554.134); or a notice addressing a lease violation. Notices must be served in accordance with M.C.L. § 600.5718.
Step 2 — Summary Proceedings in District Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a Complaint for Summary Proceeding (eviction) in the 42nd District Court, which covers Macomb County. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 10 days of service of the summons.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: Both parties present their case. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a Judgment for Possession is entered. The tenant typically has 10 days to vacate voluntarily before the landlord can request a Writ of Restitution.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: Only a court officer (bailiff or sheriff) may physically remove a tenant using a court-issued Writ of Restitution (M.C.L. § 600.5744). A landlord cannot remove you themselves.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: As noted above, any landlord who locks you out, shuts off utilities, or removes your belongings without a court order violates M.C.L. § 600.2918 and may owe you damages and attorney's fees. Michigan does not require just cause for eviction at the end of a lease term, but the court process is still mandatory regardless of the reason.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the specifics of your situation — including your lease terms, local court interpretations, and any new legislation — may affect how these rules apply to you. Always verify current law with an attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by your use of this site.
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