Mich. Comp. Laws § § 554.601d
Civil action; penalty.
Operative Text
Sec. 1d. (1) A person alleging a violation of section 1c may bring a civil action for appropriate injunctive relief or damages, or both. As used in this subsection, "damages" means actual damages for injury or loss caused by each violation of section 1c, or up to 3 times the monthly rent for the rental unit or units at issue, whichever is less, together with court costs and reasonable attorney fees. (2) An action commenced under subsection (1) may be brought in the circuit court for the county where the alleged violation occurred, or for the county where the person against whom the civil complaint is filed resides or where that person's principal place of business is located.
Michigan law under MCL § 554.601d provides a private right of action for individuals who believe their rights under § 554.601c have been violated. A person may seek a court order (injunctive relief), monetary damages, or both. Recoverable damages are capped at the lesser of actual losses caused by each violation or three times the monthly rent for the unit or units involved, and may also include court costs and reasonable attorney fees. The lawsuit may be filed in the circuit court of the county where the violation occurred or where the defendant resides or does business.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 554.601d, property owners and managers who are found to have violated § 554.601c can face civil liability that includes actual damages, up to triple the monthly rent per violation (whichever is less), plus court costs and attorney fees. Operators who maintain thorough documentation of their rental practices and ensure consistent compliance with § 554.601c's requirements are generally better positioned to demonstrate lawful conduct. Because the statute allows suits to be filed in multiple counties, landlords with properties or business operations in different jurisdictions should be aware that venue options are broad.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 554.601d gives individuals who believe a landlord has violated § 554.601c the ability to pursue a civil lawsuit without waiting for a government agency to act on their behalf. Recoverable relief can include a court order to stop the offending conduct, monetary damages up to three times the monthly rent or actual losses (whichever is less), and reimbursement of court costs and reasonable attorney fees. Tenants exploring this option may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to better understand how § 554.601d's venue and damages provisions apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation