Landlord - Tenant

HOW TO FILE LANDLORD-TENANT CASES 
 
CIVIL DIVISION  248-246-3600 
  
MCR 4.201 GOVERNS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS TO RECOVER POSSESSION OF PREMISES.  FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, THE COURT HAS PREPARED THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR FILING SUMMARY PROCEEDING CASES: 

 LANDLORD-TENANT CASES REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING FORMS: 

 
FOR ONE DEFENDANT:
  

A SUMMONS CONFORMING TO MCR 4.201(C) CONTAINING AN ORIGINAL AND FOUR COPIES.  MAKE SURE TO USE A 5 PART SET (DC104).

A COMPLAINT CONSISTING OF AN ORIGINAL AND FOUR COPIES 
(DC102a, 102b or 102c). 

3 COPIES OF THE APPROPRIATE NOTICE TO QUIT or DEMAND FOR POSSESSION (DC100a, 100b or 100c).
  
3 COPIES OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT OR OTHER INSTRUMENT UPON WHICH THE OCCUPANCY IS BASED. 

AN ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO THE DEFENDANT WITH ENOUGH POSTAGE.  TO MAIL A COPY OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT, LEASE AGREEMENT, AND NOTICE TO QUIT.  THE RETURN ADDRESS ON THE ENVELOPE SHOULD BE TO THE DISTRICT COURT.

FOR TWO DEFENDANTS: 

A 5-PART SUMMONS FORM AND 3 ADDITIONAL COPIES WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEGAL HELP,(PHOTOCOPY PAGE 2 AND 3 OF THE FORM). 

A COMPLAINT FORM AND 2 ADDITIONAL COPIES. 

5 COPIES OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT OR OTHER INSTRUMENT UPON WHICH THE OCCUPANCY IS BASED. 

5 COPIES OF THE APPROPRIATE NOTICE TO QUIT (DC100a, 100b or 100c). 

AN ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO EACH DEFENDANT WITH ENOUGH POSTAGE FOR ALL THE ABOVE PAPERS. 

FOR EACH ADDITIONAL DEFENDANT YOU MUST FILE TWO MORE COPIES OF EACH FORM AND ATTACHMENTS, AS WELL AS AN ENVELOPE FOR EACH PARTY. 

THE FILING FEE FOR POSSESSION ONLY IS $55.00.  IF YOU ARE FILING A SUPPLEMENTAL COMPLAINT FOR MONEY DAMAGES, THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL FEE, BASED ON THE MONEY JUDGMENT REQUESTED.  THE FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

MONEY JUDGMENT REQUESTED

$0 TO $600…………........... $90.00
 
$601 TO $1750………........ $110.00

 $1751 TO $10,000…........  $130.00

$10,001 TO $25,000 ........ $215.00
 
 *A court can reject a form for filing Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119(C) if all needed copies are not included with the filing.  Unless stated in a court rule or statute, a court is not responsible for making copies of forms for you.
 
 Please note: At the time of filing the plaintiff must indicate if they will be using our court officer for service, or if tenant service copies are being returned to the plaintiff.
 
 * LLC's and Corporations must be represented by an attorney.

Tenants and Landlords - a practical guide

This is a very informative guide produced by the Michigan Legislature and MSU College of Law Housing Law Clinic.  The guide is informational and is not intended to be a substitute for the services of an attorney or obtaining competent legal advice.