Michigan Repair Request Letter to Landlord
A free Michigan repair request letter to landlord that follows Michigan law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.
What Michigan law says
| Repair and deduct | Allowed under common law (no statute): after reasonable (preferably written) notice to the landlord, a tenant may make necessary repairs and deduct the cost from rent; keep all receipts. |
|---|---|
| Withholding rent | Allowed under common law (no statute): tenant may withhold rent (ideally paid into a separate escrow account, with written notice to the landlord) when the landlord breaches the duty to repair. Landlord breach and escrowed rent are statutory defenses to a nonpayment eviction. |
| Landlord retaliation | Defense to eviction: no judgment for possession if termination was intended primarily as a penalty for the tenant's attempt to enforce lease or legal rights, complaint to a government authority about a health/safety code violation, or other lawful tenancy-related act (including joining a tenant organization), or if the landlord added lease obligations as such a penalty. Presumption of retaliation if the tenant's protected action through a court or government agency occurred within 90 days before the eviction case began and was not dismissed/denied. |
| Heat | No statewide minimum indoor temperature or heating season was found in state statute. Where the Housing Law of Michigan applies, the owner must keep heating, plumbing, ventilation and wiring in good repair. More generally, the landlord's covenants of fitness, reasonable repair and compliance with health and safety laws apply to heating the landlord supplies. Many cities set minimum temperatures in local housing codes. Source: MCL 125.471; MCL 554.139(1) |
| Mold | No statute — Michigan has no mold disclosure or remediation law. Every residential lease includes statutory covenants that the premises and common areas are fit for their intended use, that the landlord will keep the premises in reasonable repair, and that the landlord will comply with state and local health and safety laws. The exception is disrepair caused by the tenant's willful or irresponsible conduct. Where the Housing Law of Michigan applies, the owner must keep the roof from leaking and drain rainwater so as to avoid dampness in walls and ceilings. An occupant can sue for damages and injunctive relief if unsafe or unsanitary conditions go unabated after notice. |
Fill in your letter
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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]
From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]
I am asking you to repair the following problems at my rental: [describe each problem, where it is, and when it started].
I first reported this on [date first reported] by [phone, text, email, portal or letter].
Please make these repairs by [date]. You may enter to make repairs after giving the notice required by law; times that work for me: [access times].
Michigan law protects tenants from retaliation for asking for repairs (MCL 600.5720(1)(a)-(c),(e); MCL 600.5720(2)).
Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________
How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.
Repair Request Letter to Landlord templates for other states · All Michigan landlord-tenant rules · Free legal help in Michigan
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.