Mich. Comp. Laws § § 554.602
Security deposit; amount.
Operative Text
Sec. 2. A landlord may require a security deposit for each rental unit. A security deposit shall be required and maintained in accordance with the terms of this act and shall not exceed 1 1/2 months' rent.
Michigan law under MCL § 554.602 permits landlords to collect a security deposit for a rental unit, but caps the amount at no more than one and a half months' rent. The deposit must be required and maintained in compliance with the full set of rules established by the Michigan Security Deposit Act (MCL § 554.601 et seq.). This provision sets both the outer limit on the deposit amount and the requirement that the entire statutory framework governs how the deposit is handled.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 554.602, a compliant landlord collects a security deposit that does not exceed one and a half times the monthly rent for the unit. Operators generally ensure that the deposit amount is clearly stated in the lease and that all collection and maintenance practices conform to the broader requirements of MCL § 554.601 et seq. Keeping accurate records of the deposit amount relative to the rent charged helps demonstrate compliance with the statutory cap.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 554.602 establishes that a landlord cannot require a security deposit greater than one and a half months' rent, giving tenants a clear benchmark to check against what they are asked to pay. If a deposit demand appears to exceed this cap, tenants may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the full Michigan Security Deposit Act (MCL § 554.601 et seq.) to understand available remedies. Raising a potential violation of this provision with a housing counselor or legal aid office can help clarify what options may be available.
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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