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Michigan Tenant Pet Rights Guide

Know exactly what your landlord can and cannot do in Michigan — and how to fight back when they cross the line.

⚡ Michigan Quick Facts

Can landlords charge pet deposits? Yes — 1.5x monthly rent
Can landlords charge monthly pet rent? Yes — no state limit
ESA / Service Animals exempt from pet fees? YES — Federal Fair Housing Act
Pet deposit state cap: Yes — 1.5x monthly rent
Governing law: MCL 554.601
Key cities: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Ann Arbor, Lansing

Your Rights as a Michigan Tenant with a Pet

Michigan caps security deposits at 1.5x monthly rent, limiting pet deposit amounts. Detroit and Grand Rapids have seen significant ESA-related housing disputes. MDCR actively enforces both state and federal fair housing laws.

What Michigan Law Actually Says

Michigan's landlord-tenant law under MCL 554.601 (Michigan Security Deposit Act) caps all security deposits at 1.5x monthly rent. Pet deposits are included in this cap.

Landlords must provide a written receipt for the deposit, place it in a financial institution, and notify the tenant where it's held. Deposits must be returned within 30 days after the tenant moves out, or the landlord must provide a written notice of any claimed damages.

Michigan landlords who fail to follow deposit return procedures can be liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees. Detroit has historically been a high-volume ESA complaint city.

Emotional Support Animals: Michigan Landlords CANNOT Charge Fees

Under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and HUD guidelines, emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals are not classified as "pets." This means:

  • Landlords cannot charge pet deposits for an ESA or service animal
  • Landlords cannot charge monthly pet rent for an ESA
  • Landlords cannot require PetScreening or similar paid screenings for ESAs
  • Landlords can request documentation from a licensed mental health professional — but this documentation must be reasonable and is limited in scope
  • Landlords cannot demand your specific diagnosis, medical records, or charge an application fee for ESA accommodation requests

What Michigan Landlords CANNOT Do

  • Collect deposits exceeding 1.5x monthly rent
  • Charge pet fees, deposits, or pet rent for documented ESAs
  • Require ESA owners to use paid screening services
  • Withhold deposits without written notice within 30 days
  • Discriminate based on disability under Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act

What Michigan Landlords CAN Legally Do

  • Charge a pet deposit within the 1.5x total cap
  • Charge monthly pet rent for conventional pets
  • Enforce no-pet clauses for conventional pets
  • Request reasonable ESA documentation

If Your Michigan Landlord Violated Your Rights

1

Document Everything

Verify your total deposit vs. 1.5x monthly rent cap. Keep all written communications.

2

File with MDCR

File at michigan.gov/mdcr. Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Act provides state-level disability protection in housing.

3

Get Legal Help

Contact Michigan Legal Help or Legal Services of South Central Michigan.

Free HUD Complaint Letter Template

Copy and customize this template for your HUD complaint or direct communication with your landlord. Replace all [BRACKETED] placeholders with your actual information.

📋 HUD Complaint / Reasonable Accommodation Request — Copy & Paste

To: [LANDLORD NAME / PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY] Address: [LANDLORD ADDRESS] Date: [DATE] Re: Fair Housing Act — Reasonable Accommodation Request / Complaint Property: [RENTAL PROPERTY ADDRESS] Tenant: [YOUR NAME] Dear [LANDLORD NAME], I am writing to formally [request a reasonable accommodation / notify you of a Fair Housing violation] under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) and HUD regulations (24 C.F.R. Part 100). I have a disability as defined under the Fair Housing Act. My emotional support animal, [PET NAME], a [SPECIES/BREED], provides assistance related to my disability. Under the Fair Housing Act and HUD guidelines, emotional support animals are not pets and are exempt from pet fees, pet deposits, and pet rent. On [DATE], you [DESCRIPTION OF VIOLATION — e.g., "charged me a $250 pet deposit for my ESA" / "required me to pay a PetScreening fee of $25 for my ESA" / "refused to waive pet rent for my documented ESA"]. This action constitutes a failure to provide a reasonable accommodation under 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B) and HUD guidance issued in 2020 (FHEO-2020-01). I request that you: 1. Immediately refund [AMOUNT] charged in violation of the Fair Housing Act 2. Confirm in writing that no pet fees will be applied to my ESA 3. Cease any further pet fee charges related to my ESA If I do not receive a response within 10 days, I will file a complaint with Michigan Department of Civil Rights and/or HUD. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] [YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION] [DATE]