Mich. Comp. Laws § § 600.5701
Definitions.
Operative Text
Sec. 5701. As used in this chapter: (a) "Summary proceedings" means a civil action to recover possession of premises and to obtain certain ancillary relief as provided by this chapter and by court rules adopted in connection therewith. (b) "Premises" includes lands, tenements, condominium property, cooperative apartments, air rights and all manner of real property. It includes structures fixed or mobile, temporary or permanent, vessels, mobile trailer homes and vehicles which are used or intended for use primarily as a dwelling or as a place for commercial or industrial operations or storage. (c) "Lease" includes a written or verbal lease or license agreement for use or possession of premises. (d) "District" means the judicial districts provided for in chapter 81.
Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5701 et seq. establishes the foundational definitions that govern summary proceedings — the civil court process used to recover possession of real property. The statute broadly defines "premises" to cover nearly every type of real property and structure, from traditional homes and apartments to mobile homes, vessels, and commercial spaces. A "lease" under this chapter encompasses both written and verbal agreements, and "district" refers to the judicial districts outlined in chapter 81 of Michigan law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 600.5701 et seq., landlords initiating a summary proceeding to recover possession of property should be aware that the definitions in this chapter apply broadly — covering not just traditional rental units but also mobile homes, cooperative apartments, and commercial spaces. A compliant operator understands that even a verbal rental agreement qualifies as a "lease" under this chapter, meaning the same procedural rules apply regardless of whether a written contract exists. Familiarity with these definitions helps property owners correctly identify which court district and which type of proceeding applies to their situation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 600.5701 et seq. defines the scope of Michigan's summary proceedings law, which is the legal mechanism a landlord uses to seek repossession of a dwelling through the courts. Importantly, the law's definition of "premises" is expansive — covering mobile homes, cooperative apartments, and vessels, among others — and a "lease" includes verbal agreements, meaning tenants without written leases still fall within this chapter's protections and procedures. Tenants facing a summary proceeding may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how these definitions affect their rights in court.
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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