Eviction in Wayne County (Detroit), Michigan
Where eviction cases are filed in Wayne County (Detroit), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Wayne County (Detroit)
- Eviction court
- 36th District Court (City of Detroit); other Wayne County cities are served by their own numbered district courts — District court (landlord-tenant / summary proceedings) Court page
- Filing fee
- 36th District Court (Detroit): possession only $55 ($45 filing fee + $10 e-filing fee). With a money judgment, a supplemental fee is added: $35 (claim up to $600), $55 ($600.01-$1,750), $75 ($1,750.01-$10,000) or $160 ($10,000.01-$25,000), for totals of $90, $110, $130 or $215. First-class mail $13 per defendant; order of eviction $15; motion fee $20. Court officer service fees are paid separately to the officer. 36th District Court Filing Fee Schedule (revised Oct. 1, 2025, updated April 2026)
- 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)
- $1,411/month HUD
- Renter households
- 246,939 (35% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in Wayne County (Detroit)
Eviction cases in Wayne County (Detroit) are heard by the 36th District Court (City of Detroit); other Wayne County cities are served by their own numbered district courts (District court (landlord-tenant / summary proceedings)).
- 36th District Court - Civil Division (2nd floor) — 421 Madison Street, Detroit, MI 48226 · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Self-help center
File in the district court for the city/township where the property is located. 36th District Court posts daily landlord-tenant schedules and holds some first hearings virtually.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Wayne County (Detroit)
36th District Court (Detroit): possession only $55 ($45 filing fee + $10 e-filing fee). With a money judgment, a supplemental fee is added: $35 (claim up to $600), $55 ($600.01-$1,750), $75 ($1,750.01-$10,000) or $160 ($10,000.01-$25,000), for totals of $90, $110, $130 or $215. First-class mail $13 per defendant; order of eviction $15; motion fee $20. Court officer service fees are paid separately to the officer.
The schedule opens as a Word document. An order of eviction in the 36th District Court must be served by one of the court officers on the court's list. A tenant's motion to stay in a landlord-tenant case also requires an escrow deposit of one month's rent (MCR 4.201). Other Wayne County district courts set fees under the same state statute; check the court for your address. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver.
Source: 36th District Court Filing Fee Schedule (revised Oct. 1, 2025, updated April 2026)
How eviction cases work locally
| Hearing schedule | 36th District Court posts landlord-tenant scheduling dates online. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Illegal lockout help | Tenants locked out without court process can contact United Community Housing Coalition, (313) 963-3310, 1-3 p.m. Source: Official source |
The Michigan eviction process
Michigan state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Wayne County (Detroit):
- 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 Wayne County (Detroit)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,009 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,122 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,411 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,724 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,868 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Wayne County (Detroit): $1,132/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs (ZIP-code level) for Housing Choice Vouchers; figures shown are the metro-wide FY2026 FMRs.
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; city rules (if any) live on city pages.
Eviction help in Wayne County (Detroit)
Free legal help
- Lakeshore Legal Aid — Regional civil legal aid in southeast Michigan; check eligibility.
- Michigan Legal Help — Statewide self-help tools for eviction cases.
Right to counsel: 36th District Court links 'Information on Right to Counsel for Tenants' (City of Detroit program; flyer is a PDF not opened). City-level program - details on the Detroit city page. Source
Rental assistance
- MDHHS State Emergency Relief (SER) — Rent/first-month/deposit assistance via MI Bridges (listed by 36th District Court)
- United Community Housing Coalition — Tenant assistance (listed by 36th District Court), (313) 963-3310
City rules in Wayne County (Detroit)
Other Michigan counties
- 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 Ingham County (Lansing / East Lansing / Mason)
- 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 Wayne County (Detroit)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Wayne County (Detroit)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Wayne County (Detroit)?
What is the fair market rent in Wayne County (Detroit)?
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.