The Commercial Eviction Process in Michigan

Unlike commercial real estate in some Southern US states, Michigan flatly prohibits commercial landlords from utilizing "self-help" evictions under the Anti-Lockout Statute (MCL 600.2918). This means you cannot simply change the locks on a tenant's warehouse on a Friday evening because they are three months behind on rent, even if your lease claims you have the right to do so.

A commercial landlord looking to regain possession of their property must utilize the formal legal process outlined in the Michigan Summary Proceedings Act (Chapter 57 of the Revised Judicature Act, effective July 1, 1972).

The Notice to Quit (The Demand for Possession)

The first step in any commercial eviction is properly serving the tenant with a statutory written notice. Because Michigan courts favor resolving disputes before litigation, serving an invalid notice will result in the judge dismissing the eviction lawsuit entirely.

Like residential evictions, the timeframe depends on the breach:

1. Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent

If the tenant defaults on their rent obligations (Base Rent or designated NNN Outgoings), the landlord must serve a formal 7-Day Demand for Possession for Nonpayment of Rent under MCL 600.5714(1)(a).

• The business has precisely seven (7) days to pay the entire amount owed or vacate the premises.
• If the tenant pays in full, the eviction is halted. Partial payments can sometimes restart the clock depending on how the lease addresses acceptance of partial rent.

2. Eviction for Lease Violations (Non-Monetary Breach)

If the tenant violates a specific lease clause—such as illegally storing hazardous chemicals, executing an unapproved sublease, or failing to maintain the HVAC system—the landlord must serve a notice to quit as stipulated in the lease agreement (frequently 7 to 30 days) under MCL 600.5714(1)(c).

• The tenant has the period defined in the lease to "cure" (fix) the breach or vacate.
• NOTE: Highly aggressive, custom-drafted commercial leases can sometimes attempt to contractually alter this non-monetary cure period, though enforcement relies entirely on the precise wording of the lease and the judge's discretion.

Filing the Summary Proceedings Lawsuit

If the notice period expires and the commercial tenant remains in the property, the landlord must file a Summons and Complaint with the local Michigan District Court. Under MCL 600.5704, the District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over possession, regardless of the amount in controversy.

The court will set a hearing date. Because commercial rent defaults often involve massive sums of money (frequently exceeding the $25,000 threshold of the District Court's money judgment jurisdiction), landlords often file a separate, parallel breach-of-contract lawsuit in the Circuit Court to chase the actual monetary damages, while using the District Court solely to regain physical possession of the building.

The Judgment and Writ of Restitution

If the landlord wins the possession hearing, the judge issues a Judgment of Possession. Crucially, under MCL 600.5744(3), the judge must grant the commercial tenant a 10-day statutory grace period after the judgment to pay the outstanding balance or move out.

If the tenant ignores the judgment and stays past the 10 days, the landlord must pay for a Writ of Restitution (Order of Eviction). This legally authorizes a court-appointed bailiff or sheriff's deputy to physically execute the eviction, removing the commercial tenant's inventory, machinery, and personnel, and returning full possession to the landlord.

The Danger of Constructive Eviction

If a landlord attempts to pressure a commercial tenant into leaving by shutting off essential utilities (e.g., electricity, water) or barricading the parking lot before a court has issued a Writ of Restitution, the tenant can sue the landlord. Under Michigan law, if a person is ejected or kept out of premises in a forcible and unlawful manner, they are entitled to recover 3 times the amount of their actual damages or $200.00, whichever is greater, in addition to recovering possession (MCL 600.2918(1)).

If a tenant's possessory interest has been unlawfully interfered with by the owner, the tenant is entitled to recover the amount of his or her actual damages or $200.00, whichever is greater, for each occurrence and, if possession has been lost, to recover possession (MCL 600.2918(2)). Unlawful interference includes actions such as changing locks without providing keys, removing personal property, or terminating essential services. The provisions of this section may not be waived (MCL 600.2918(7)).

Clean Ledgers Win Evictions

Commercial eviction cases in Michigan are frequently derailed when the tenant's corporate attorney challenges the landlord's arithmetic regarding compounding 12% default interest and miscalculated NNN common area maintenance charges. Landager provides institutional-grade ledger tracking for your commercial portfolio. By cleanly separating Base Rent from operating expense reimbursements and default interest, you generate impeccable 7-Day Demand notices that withstand aggressive cross-examination in District Court.

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, important compliance deadlines, and security deposit details—making it easy to stay compliant with Michigan regulations.

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