Troy is one of Michigan's most prosperous cities, located in Oakland County approximately 20 miles north of Detroit. With a population of roughly 87,000 residents and a significant concentration of corporate headquarters and professional employment, Troy attracts a diverse and growing rental market. Renters in Troy are governed by Michigan state law — the city has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances.
Michigan's landlord-tenant framework is established primarily through the Michigan Truth in Renting Act, the Security Deposit Act (M.C.L. §§ 554.601–554.616), the Summary Proceedings Act (M.C.L. §§ 600.5701–600.5759), and various related statutes. These laws provide meaningful protections for renters, including a cap on security deposits, a 30-day deposit return deadline, habitability requirements, and a prohibition on self-help eviction. However, Michigan law explicitly bans local rent control ordinances, and the state has no statewide rent stabilization law.
This guide is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change; renters facing urgent housing issues should consult a licensed Michigan attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Troy has no rent control, and Michigan law prohibits any city or local government from enacting rent control. The preemption statute, M.C.L. § 123.409, which has been in effect since 1988, expressly bars local governments from regulating the amount of rent charged for residential units. Troy cannot enact rent control even if it chose to do so.
As a result, a landlord in Troy may raise rent by any amount at the expiration of a fixed-term lease. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must provide at least one full rental period's written notice before terminating or changing the terms of the tenancy (M.C.L. § 554.134), which for a monthly tenant means approximately 30 days' notice. However, this notice requirement does not limit the size of any rent increase.
There are no caps, no percentage limits, and no requirement for a landlord to justify the amount of a rent increase under Michigan law. Tenants who cannot afford a rent increase may give their own one-period notice to vacate before the new term takes effect, or negotiate with their landlord.
Michigan's landlord-tenant law establishes the following protections for Troy renters, enforceable in Oakland County 52nd District Court.
Security Deposit: Michigan's Security Deposit Act (M.C.L. §§ 554.601–554.616) caps security deposits at 1.5 months' rent and requires landlords to follow a specific procedure for itemizing and returning deposits. See the Security Deposit section below for full details.
Habitability: Michigan law and the Truth in Renting Act require landlords to maintain rental units in habitable condition. If a landlord fails to make essential repairs after written notice, Michigan provides a rent escrow remedy under M.C.L. § 125.534: the tenant may petition the district court to deposit rent into escrow, allowing the court to order repairs and release funds accordingly. This is a more formal remedy than a simple repair-and-deduct, and tenants should seek legal guidance before proceeding.
Move-In Condition Report: Within 7 days of a tenant moving in, the landlord must provide a written inventory of the condition of the unit (M.C.L. § 554.608). The tenant then has 7 days to note any disagreements. This inventory is used to determine allowable deductions at move-out. Tenants should review the inventory carefully and add any missing damage in writing before the deadline.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy: Under M.C.L. § 554.134, a landlord must give at least one rental period's written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. For a monthly tenancy, this means notice must be given at least one full month before the effective date of termination. The notice must be in writing.
Anti-Retaliation: Michigan courts recognize retaliatory eviction as a defense. A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations, complaining to a housing authority, or exercising any legal right by evicting, threatening eviction, or raising rent.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction: Under M.C.L. § 600.2918, a landlord who uses self-help methods — changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant's belongings without a court order — may be liable for actual damages plus attorney's fees. Only the court eviction process can lawfully remove a tenant.
Security deposit rules in Troy are governed by Michigan's Security Deposit Act (M.C.L. §§ 554.601–554.616), which imposes strict requirements on landlords regarding deposit amounts, documentation, and return procedures.
Cap on Deposit Amount: A landlord may not collect more than 1.5 months' rent as a security deposit. Any amount collected above this cap is not legally enforceable and must be returned to the tenant.
Move-In Condition Report: Within 7 days of the tenant taking possession, the landlord must provide a written inventory describing the condition of the rental unit (M.C.L. § 554.608). The tenant has 7 days from receiving the inventory to add any additional items in writing. This inventory is the baseline document for determining allowable deductions at move-out. Tenants should supplement the landlord's inventory with their own dated photographs and videos.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to either return the full security deposit or send the tenant a written itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining balance (M.C.L. § 554.613). The statement must be sent by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address.
Tenant's Response to Deductions: After receiving an itemized statement, the tenant has 7 days to dispute any deductions by sending a written objection to the landlord (M.C.L. § 554.614). Failure to object within this period may limit the tenant's ability to recover disputed amounts in court.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: A landlord who fails to provide the itemized statement within 30 days forfeits the right to retain any portion of the security deposit (M.C.L. § 554.613). The tenant may then recover the full deposit amount in a civil action.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and for damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear. Routine carpet wear, minor scuffs, and small nail holes are normal wear and tear and cannot be charged to the tenant.
Tenant Tip: Always provide a forwarding address to your landlord in writing when you move out. The 30-day clock runs from the date the tenancy ends and the landlord has your forwarding address. Claims for wrongfully withheld deposits can be filed in Oakland County 52nd District Court.
Evictions in Troy follow Michigan's formal summary proceeding process, governed by the Michigan Summary Proceedings Act (M.C.L. §§ 600.5701–600.5759). A landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order — self-help eviction is explicitly illegal under Michigan law.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing with the court, the landlord must serve a written notice on the tenant. The required notice depends on the ground for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing a Summary Proceeding: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a complaint in Oakland County 52nd District Court (Troy is served by the 52-3 Division in Rochester Hills). The court issues a summons setting a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge or magistrate. Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, payment of rent, habitability issues, or retaliation. Tenants should contact Michigan Legal Help (michiganlegalhelp.org) or Oakland County Legal Aid (legalaidoc.org) before the hearing to understand available defenses.
Step 4 — Judgment and Writ of Restitution: If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered. The landlord must then request a Writ of Restitution. Only an Oakland County Sheriff's deputy may carry out the physical removal of the tenant — the landlord has no right to do so independently.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.C.L. § 600.2918, a landlord who changes locks, shuts off utilities, removes doors, or removes a tenant's belongings without a court order may be liable for the tenant's actual damages plus attorney's fees. If your landlord illegally locks you out, call 911, document the situation, and contact legal aid immediately.
This page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided reflects laws in effect as of April 2026, but landlord-tenant laws can change. The application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or another housing issue, you should consult a licensed Michigan attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed above. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation or legal advice.
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.