Eviction in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason), Michigan
Where eviction cases are filed in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)
- Eviction court
- Ingham County district courts: 54-A District Court (City of Lansing), 54-B District Court (City of East Lansing), 55th District Court (rest of the county) — District court (landlord-tenant / summary proceedings) Court page
- Filing fee
- Possession only $55; possession + money judgment: $90 (claim up to $600), $110 ($600.01-$1,750), $130 ($1,750.01-$10,000), $215 ($10,000.01-$25,000); order of eviction $15; motion fee $20; service/court-officer fees extra 55th District Court - Filing Fees
- Notice before filing (state law)
- 7 days: written demand for possession (or written notice to quit) for nonpayment of rent before filing Michigan rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,268/month HUD
- Renter households
- 47,469 (40% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)
Eviction cases in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason) are heard by the Ingham County district courts: 54-A District Court (City of Lansing), 54-B District Court (City of East Lansing), 55th District Court (rest of the county) (District court (landlord-tenant / summary proceedings)).
- 55th District Court — 700 Buhl St., Mason, MI 48854 (mailing: PO Box 217) · website
- 54-A District Court (Lansing City Hall) · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Self-help center
The 55th District Court Civil Division processes landlord-tenant evictions and land contract forfeitures; summary proceedings are heard by a district judge. File in the district court for where the rental is located.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)
Possession only $55; possession + money judgment: $90 (claim up to $600), $110 ($600.01-$1,750), $130 ($1,750.01-$10,000), $215 ($10,000.01-$25,000); order of eviction $15; motion fee $20; service/court-officer fees extra
These amounts are set by state statute and apply in every Michigan district court. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver.
Source: 55th District Court - Filing Fees
The Michigan eviction process
Michigan state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason):
- Written notice: demand for possession (7 days nonpayment, health hazard/damage; 24 hours drug activity) or notice to quit (e.g., one rental period / 1 month for month-to-month)
- Landlord files a complaint in district court, attaching the notice and written lease (MCR 4.201(B))
- Summons and complaint served (mailed AND served personally, by certified restricted mail, on a household member, or by posting after diligent attempts) at least 3 days before the trial/appearance date
- First hearing (often a pretrial): tenant answers orally or in writing, raises defenses/counterclaims, may demand a jury; if triable issues exist trial is usually set within about 7-14 days; possible 14-28 day stay for pending rental assistance; tenant who fails to appear may be defaulted
- Judgment for possession (and any money judgment); in nonpayment cases, paying the judgment amount plus costs within the time allowed prevents the order of eviction
- Order of Eviction (writ of restitution) may not issue until 10 days after judgment, except immediate issuance in listed cases (e.g., forcible entry, trespass, serious continuing health hazard, drug-activity cases); landlord must request it within 56 days of judgment
- Removal of the tenant and belongings by a court officer, bailiff, or sheriff/deputy executing the order
Full Michigan eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $973 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,012 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,268 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,627 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,679 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason): $1,084/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; city rules (if any) live on city pages.
Eviction help in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)
Free legal help
- Legal Services of South Central Michigan — Free legal help for eligible low-income residents; serves Ingham County.
- Michigan Legal Help — Statewide self-help tools for eviction cases.
Other Michigan counties
- Eviction in Wayne County (Detroit)
- Eviction in Oakland County (Pontiac, Southfield, Troy)
- Eviction in Macomb County (Warren, Sterling Heights)
- Eviction in Kent County (Grand Rapids)
- Eviction in Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti)
- Eviction in Genesee County (Flint)
- Eviction in Kalamazoo County (Kalamazoo / Portage)
Related
- Michigan landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Michigan
- Michigan eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Michigan (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)?
What is the fair market rent in Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)?
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.