Last updated: April 2026
Waterford Township is one of Oakland County's largest communities, with a significant renter population governed entirely by Michigan state law. There is no local rent control and no city eviction ordinance. Here is what every Waterford renter should know.
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Waterford is a charter township in Oakland County — one of Michigan's most populous and economically active counties. Its rental housing market includes a wide range of apartments, condominiums, and single-family rental homes. Renters in Waterford most commonly ask about security deposit returns, habitability and repair obligations, landlord entry requirements, and what rights they have if a landlord attempts to evict them without court process.
Michigan state law governs all landlord-tenant relationships in Waterford. There is no local rent control ordinance, no township-specific just cause eviction requirement, and no Waterford municipal code that adds tenant protections beyond state law. The primary legal framework is Michigan's Landlord-Tenant Relationships Act (M.C.L. §§ 554.601–554.616), the Truth in Renting Act, M.C.L. § 600.5714 (eviction proceedings), and M.C.L. § 600.2918 (illegal lockout).
This guide explains your core rights as a Waterford renter under Michigan law. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters with specific legal questions should consult a licensed Michigan attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Waterford has no rent control, and no Michigan locality can enact rent control. Since 1988, Michigan state law has explicitly prohibited local governments from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property, under M.C.L. § 123.409. Waterford Township Board has no authority to change this.
In practice, a Waterford landlord can raise your rent by any dollar amount at the end of your lease term, or with proper advance notice on a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap, no inflation index, and no county or township agency that reviews rent increases. If your landlord raises rent mid-lease without your written agreement, that constitutes an improper unilateral change to the lease contract.
Michigan law provides Waterford renters with several important protections regardless of what your lease says:
Security Deposits (M.C.L. §§ 554.602–554.616): A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding one and one-half times the monthly rent. Within 30 days of move-out, the landlord must send you an itemized list of any damages claimed and return the remaining balance. Failure to comply forfeits the landlord's right to keep any portion of the deposit.
Habitability and Repairs (M.C.L. § 125.534; Michigan common law): Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation — including functioning heat, plumbing, and structural safety. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after written notice, a tenant may petition the court to pay rent into escrow under the rent-escrow remedy (M.C.L. § 125.534) until repairs are completed.
Notice to Terminate (M.C.L. § 554.134): For a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the lease, delivered within the rental period in which it is intended to take effect.
Anti-Retaliation (Michigan common law and M.C.L. § 600.5720): A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services in retaliation for a tenant reporting code violations, complaining about habitability, or exercising any legal right. Retaliatory eviction is a recognized affirmative defense in Michigan district courts.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.C.L. § 600.2918): A landlord who engages in self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities — is civilly liable for actual damages plus attorney's fees.
Michigan's security deposit statute (M.C.L. §§ 554.602–554.616) sets strict rules that Waterford landlords must follow:
Cap: The maximum security deposit a landlord may collect is one and one-half times (1.5×) the monthly rent. A deposit above this cap is unenforceable (M.C.L. § 554.602).
Move-In Checklist: Within seven days of move-in, the landlord must provide a written inventory of the unit's condition. If no checklist is provided, the landlord may not claim damages against the deposit at move-out (M.C.L. § 554.608).
Return Deadline: The landlord must mail an itemized statement of any deductions and return the remaining deposit balance within 30 days after the tenancy ends and you provide a written forwarding address (M.C.L. § 554.609). Normal wear and tear may not be charged against the deposit.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If the landlord fails to send the itemized statement within 30 days or wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, they forfeit all rights to the deposit under M.C.L. § 554.613, and you may bring a civil action to recover the full amount.
Forwarding Address: You must provide a written forwarding address within four days of vacating. The 30-day clock does not start until you do so (M.C.L. § 554.611).
In Waterford, all evictions must go through Michigan's formal court process. Here is how it works:
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve a written notice:
Step 2 — Summary Proceeding Filing: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord files a Complaint for Summary Proceedings in Oakland County's 51st District Court (Waterford). The tenant is served with a summons and may appear and contest the eviction.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a district court judge. Tenants may raise defenses including payment of rent, habitability issues, retaliatory eviction, or improper notice. A favorable ruling for the landlord produces a Judgment for Possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Eviction: If the tenant does not vacate after judgment, the landlord may request a Writ of Eviction enforced by a court officer — not the landlord (M.C.L. § 600.5744).
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A Waterford landlord who changes locks, removes belongings, or shuts off utilities without a court order violates M.C.L. § 600.2918 and may be sued for actual damages plus attorney's fees.
No. Waterford has no rent control, and Michigan state law prohibits any city or township from enacting rent control ordinances (M.C.L. § 123.409). This preemption has been in effect since 1988. Your landlord can raise your rent by any amount at the end of your lease or with proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Waterford or anywhere in Michigan. Because M.C.L. § 123.409 prohibits rent control statewide, landlords may raise rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (M.C.L. § 554.134). A landlord cannot raise rent mid-lease without your written agreement.
Your landlord must mail you an itemized statement of any deductions and return the remaining deposit balance within 30 days after your tenancy ends and you have provided a written forwarding address (M.C.L. § 554.609). If the landlord misses this deadline or wrongfully withholds any amount, they forfeit the right to keep any portion of the deposit under M.C.L. § 554.613, and you may sue in district or small claims court to recover the full amount.
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, the landlord must give a 7-day demand for possession (M.C.L. § 600.5714(1)(b)). For other lease violations, a 30-day notice is required (M.C.L. § 600.5714(1)(c)). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice (M.C.L. § 554.134). After proper notice, the landlord must file in Oakland County's 51st District Court — they cannot remove you without a court order.
No. Self-help eviction — including changing your locks, removing your belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal in Michigan. Under M.C.L. § 600.2918, a landlord who commits an illegal lockout can be sued for your actual damages plus attorney's fees. Contact the Oakland County Sheriff's Department or Michigan Legal Help immediately if this happens.
Michigan law requires landlords to maintain habitable premises, including functioning heat, plumbing, and structural safety. If your landlord ignores written repair requests, you can petition the court to pay rent into escrow under Michigan's rent-escrow remedy (M.C.L. § 125.534). You may also file a complaint with Waterford Township's code enforcement office. Retaliatory action by the landlord in response to your complaint is prohibited under Michigan law.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws can change, and the application of Michigan statutes to your specific situation may vary. If you have questions about your rights as a Waterford renter, you should consult a licensed Michigan attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no representations about the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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