Michigan Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
Michigan rules on lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: A landlord may not interfere with a tenant's possession by force or threat of force; removing, keeping or destroying the tenant's property; changing locks without promptly giving the tenant keys; boarding up the unit; MCL 600.2918(1)-(3)
The rules in Michigan
| Lockouts and illegal eviction | A landlord may not interfere with a tenant's possession by force or threat of force; removing, keeping or destroying the tenant's property; changing locks without promptly giving the tenant keys; boarding up the unit; removing doors, windows or locks; or creating a nuisance. The tenant can recover actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence, plus possession; a person forcibly put out or kept out can recover three times actual damages or $200, whichever is greater. It is not unlawful if the owner acts under a court order, enters temporarily for lawful repairs or inspection, or believes in good faith after diligent inquiry that the tenant has abandoned the unit and rent is unpaid. Source: MCL 600.2918(1)-(3) |
|---|---|
| Landlord shutting off utilities | An owner (including a landlord or its agent) who unlawfully interferes with a tenant's possession by cutting off essential services, in a way that amounts to a constructive eviction, is liable for the tenant's actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence, and the tenant can recover possession if it was lost. The tenant may sue for possession or seek an injunction in circuit court; the protections cannot be waived. A possession claim must be filed within 90 days, and a damages claim within one year. Source: MCL 600.2918(2)(f), (6)-(8) |
| 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. Within the 90-day window the landlord must prove by a preponderance that the termination was not retaliatory; if the protected act was more than 90 days before filing (or was decided against the tenant), the presumption runs the other way and the tenant bears the burden. Michigan's statute is a defense in summary proceedings rather than a separate damages remedy. |
Related questions
Michigan vs. neighboring states
| State | Lockouts and illegal eviction | Landlord shutting off utilities | Landlord retaliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | A landlord may not interfere with a tenant's possession by force or threat of force; removing, keeping or destroying the tenant's property; changing locks without promptly giving the tenant keys; boarding up the unit; removing doors, windows or locks; or creating a nuisance. The tenant can recover actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence, plus possession; a person forcibly put out or kept out can recover three times actual damages or $200, whichever is greater. It is not unlawful if the owner acts under a court order, enters temporarily for lawful repairs or inspection, or believes in good faith after diligent inquiry that the tenant has abandoned the unit and rent is unpaid. MCL 600.2918(1)-(3) | An owner (including a landlord or its agent) who unlawfully interferes with a tenant's possession by cutting off essential services, in a way that amounts to a constructive eviction, is liable for the tenant's actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence, and the tenant can recover possession if it was lost. The tenant may sue for possession or seek an injunction in circuit court; the protections cannot be waived. A possession claim must be filed within 90 days, and a damages claim within one year. MCL 600.2918(2)(f), (6)-(8) | 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. MCL 600.5720(1)(a)-(c),(e); MCL 600.5720(2) |
| Indiana | According to the Indiana courts' Small Claims Manual, a landlord may not lock a tenant out unless the tenant has abandoned the home, and an illegal lockout can lead to punitive damages. A tenant locked out by changed locks can file a small claims case for emergency possessory relief. A landlord also may not hold a tenant's belongings as security for unpaid rent unless a court allows it, and removing a tenant with the sheriff requires a court order. Indiana Office of Court Services, Small Claims Manual (2026, updated 12/23/2025), pp. 31-32, 36-38 | According to the Indiana courts' Small Claims Manual, a landlord generally may shut off utilities only when the tenant has abandoned the home and the utilities are in the landlord's name. An illegal utility shutoff can lead to a judgment for punitive damages against the landlord. A tenant whose landlord interrupts or shuts off utilities or other essential services can file a small claims case for emergency possessory relief. Indiana Office of Court Services, Small Claims Manual (2026, updated 12/23/2025), pp. 36, 38 | Landlord may not raise rent, decrease/interfere with services, or bring or threaten an eviction/possession action in response to a tenant complaining to a code-enforcement agency about health/safety violations, complaining in writing to the landlord about IC 32-31-5-6 or 32-31-8-5 violations, suing under IC 32-31-6 or 32-31-8, joining a tenant organization, or testifying against the landlord. No statutory presumption period. Exceptions include non-renewal at end of term, market-rate rent increases, and evictions for unpaid rent or health/safety lease violations. IC 32-31-8.5-2 through 32-31-8.5-6 |
| Ohio | A residential landlord may not lock a tenant out or take any other step to exclude the tenant (self-help eviction) except through the court process in Chapters 1923, 5303 and 5321; this applies even after the tenant's right to possession has ended. The landlord also may not seize a tenant's furniture or belongings to collect rent without a court order. A landlord who violates these rules is liable for all damages caused plus reasonable attorney's fees. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.15 | A residential landlord may not cut off utilities or services to force a tenant out, even a tenant whose right to stay has ended; the landlord must use the court eviction process. A landlord who does so is liable in a civil lawsuit for all damages caused to the tenant plus reasonable attorney's fees. Separately, the landlord must supply running water, reasonable hot water and reasonable heat (with limited exceptions). Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.15(A), (C); 5321.04(A)(6) | Landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, or bring/threaten an eviction action because the tenant complained to a government agency about a code violation materially affecting health and safety, complained to the landlord about a § 5321.04 violation, or joined with other tenants to negotiate with the landlord. Tenant may use retaliation as a defense, recover possession or terminate, and recover actual damages and attorney's fees. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02 |
| Wisconsin | No landlord may exclude, forcibly evict or constructively evict a tenant except through the eviction procedure in Wis. Stat. chapter 799 (a court eviction). A landlord also may not seize or hold a tenant's belongings unless a statute or a separate signed agreement allows it. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(4), (7) | A landlord may not exclude a tenant or forcibly or constructively evict a tenant except through the court eviction procedure. The state rental practices rule specifically lists cutting off or substantially reducing heat, water or electricity as a forbidden way to constructively evict a tenant in retaliation for reporting code violations, joining a tenant union or asserting tenant rights. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(5), (7) | Landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, bring an eviction, refuse to renew, or threaten any of these because the tenant: complained in good faith about a defect to a public official or local code-enforcement agency, complained to the landlord about a § 704.07 or housing-code violation, or exercised a legal tenant right. ATCP 134.09(5) also protects joining or organizing a tenants' union, and a lease allowing retaliation for calling police, health, or safety services is void. Wis. Stat. § 704.45; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(5); Wis. Stat. § 704.44(1m) |
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Compare lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation in all 50 states and DC →
Michigan Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation FAQ
Can a landlord change the locks without a court order in Michigan?
A landlord may not interfere with a tenant's possession by force or threat of force; removing, keeping or destroying the tenant's property; changing locks without promptly giving the tenant keys; boarding up the unit; removing doors, windows or locks; or creating a nuisance. The tenant can recover actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence, plus possession; a person forcibly put out or kept out can recover three times actual damages or $200, whichever is greater. It is not unlawful if the owner acts under a court order, enters temporarily for lawful repairs or inspection, or believes in good faith after diligent inquiry that the tenant has abandoned the unit and rent is unpaid. (MCL 600.2918(1)-(3))
Can a landlord shut off utilities in Michigan?
An owner (including a landlord or its agent) who unlawfully interferes with a tenant's possession by cutting off essential services, in a way that amounts to a constructive eviction, is liable for the tenant's actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence, and the tenant can recover possession if it was lost. The tenant may sue for possession or seek an injunction in circuit court; the protections cannot be waived. A possession claim must be filed within 90 days, and a damages claim within one year. (MCL 600.2918(2)(f), (6)-(8))
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Michigan?
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. (MCL 600.5720(1)(a)-(c),(e); MCL 600.5720(2))
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.