Mich. Comp. Laws § § 554.134
Termination of estate at will or by sufferance or tenancy from year to year.
Operative Text
Sec. 34. (1) Except as provided otherwise in this section, an estate at will or by sufferance may be terminated by either party by giving 1 month's notice to the other party. If the rent reserved in a lease is payable at periods of less than 3 months, the time of notice is sufficient if it is equal to the interval between the times of payment. Notice is not void because it states a day for the termination of the tenancy that does not correspond to the conclusion or commencement of a rental period. The notice terminates the tenancy at the end of a period equal in length to the interval between times of payment. (2) If a tenant neglects or refuses to pay rent on a lease at will or otherwise, the landlord may terminate the tenancy by giving the tenant a written 7-day notice to quit. (3) A tenancy from year to year may be terminated by either party by a notice to quit, given at any time to the other party. The notice shall terminate the lease at the expiration of 1 year from the time of the service of the notice. (4) If a tenant holds over after a lease is terminated pursuant to a clause in the lease providing for termination because the tenant, a member of the tenant's household, or other person under the tenant's control has manufactured, delivered, possessed with intent to deliver, or possessed a controlled substance on the leased premises, the landlord may terminate the tenancy by giving the tenant a written 24-hour notice to quit. This subsection applies only if a formal police report has been filed alleging that the person has unlawfully manufactured, delivered, possessed with intent to deliver, or possessed a controlled substance on the leased premises. For purposes of this subsection, "controlled substance" means a substance or a counterfeit substance classified in schedule 1, 2, or 3 pursuant to sections 7211 to 7216 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7211 to 333.7216.
Michigan law under MCL § 554.134 establishes the notice periods required to end different types of tenancies. An estate at will or by sufferance generally requires one month's notice from either party, though shorter notice may apply when rent is paid more frequently than every three months. A year-to-year tenancy requires a full year's notice after service, a landlord may issue a 7-day written notice to quit when a tenant fails or refuses to pay rent, and a 24-hour written notice to quit is permitted when a tenant holds over following a lease termination triggered by certain controlled-substance activity on the premises—provided a formal police report has been filed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under MCL § 554.134 generally track the type of tenancy in place, because the required notice period differs significantly depending on whether the arrangement is at-will, year-to-year, or involves a rent-nonpayment or controlled-substance situation. Compliant operators typically deliver written notices that meet the statutory minimums—one month for at-will tenancies, 7 days for nonpayment of rent, and 24 hours in controlled-substance holdover situations where a formal police report exists. Operators also generally ensure that notice language and delivery methods are documented, since defective or insufficient notice can affect the validity of a subsequent eviction proceeding under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under MCL § 554.134, tenants have the right to receive adequate advance notice before a landlord can legally terminate most tenancies—typically one month for at-will arrangements or a full year for year-to-year leases. If a landlord issues a 7-day or 24-hour notice to quit, tenants may want to verify that the statutory conditions for that shorter notice period have actually been met, such as whether a formal police report was filed in the controlled-substance scenario. Tenants who believe a notice was improperly issued under this section can explore options such as raising the defect as a defense in any eviction proceeding, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a legal aid office familiar with Michigan landlord-tenant law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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