Mich. Comp. Laws § § 600.5716
Demand for possession or payment; form and contents.
Operative Text
Sec. 5716. A demand for possession or payment shall be in writing, addressed to the person in possession and shall give the address or other brief description of the premises. The reasons for the demand and the time to take remedial action shall be clearly stated. When nonpayment of rent or other sums due under the lease is claimed, the amount due at the time of the demand shall be stated. The demand shall be dated and signed by the person entitled to possession, his attorney or agent.
Michigan law under MCL § 600.5716 establishes the required form and content of a written demand for possession or payment before an eviction proceeding can move forward. The demand must be addressed to the occupant, identify the premises, clearly state the reason for the demand and the timeframe for corrective action, and—when unpaid rent or other lease amounts are at issue—specify the exact dollar amount owed at the time the demand is made. The document must also be dated and signed by the person entitled to possession, or by that person's attorney or agent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under MCL § 600.5716 generally ensure that any demand for possession or payment is prepared as a written document that names the tenant, describes the rental address, and plainly states why the demand is being made along with the deadline for the tenant to act. When the basis for the demand involves unpaid rent or other sums owed under the lease, a compliant demand includes the precise amount due as of the date the demand is issued. The demand is then dated and signed by the landlord, or by an authorized attorney or agent, before it is delivered to the tenant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under MCL § 600.5716, tenants have the right to receive a written demand that clearly identifies the premises, explains the reason for the demand, states the time allowed to remedy the situation, and—if money is claimed—specifies the exact amount alleged to be owed. A demand that is missing required elements, such as a stated dollar amount when rent is at issue or a proper signature, may not satisfy the statutory requirements, which can be relevant if an eviction case is later filed in court. Tenants who believe a demand they received does not comply with MCL § 600.5716 may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand what options may be available to them.
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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