Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in Michigan?

No. A landlord who uses force, changes locks or removes utilities is liable for actual damages or $200 per occurrence, whichever is greater. MCL 600.2918. In Michigan a tenant may be removed only through the court process, which is set by MCL 554.134, 600.5714, 600.5741, 600.5744, 600.2918.

WhatMichigan
Changing the locks, cutting a utility or removing belongingsUnlawful
Who may remove a tenantOnly a court officer acting on a court order

Source

MCL 554.134, 600.5714, 600.5741, 600.5744, 600.2918 — last checked 2026-09-16.

This is a summary of the published procedure, not legal advice. Courts, local rules and the facts of a tenancy change what applies, and a defect in a notice or a filing can end a case. Have a lawyer review anything before it is served or filed.

How Seayora uses this rule

Seayora does not file, serve or appear in an eviction, and is not anybody’s lawyer. When a tenant has stopped paying, it lays out these steps for the property’s own state and city with the statute beside each one, holds back any step that would come too early, keeps an append-only record of the case — and shows the resident what would end it, legal-aid links included.

Compare this rule in every state

More Michigan rules

The same question in other states

Related