Mich. Comp. Laws § § 554.632
Definitions.
Operative Text
Sec. 2. As used in this act: (a) "Rental agreement" means a written agreement embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of residential premises, but does not include an agreement the terms of which are limited to 1 or more of the following: the identity of the parties, a description of the premises, the rental period, the total rental amount due, the amount of rental payments, and the times at which payments are due. (b) "Residential premises" means a house, building, structure, shelter, or mobile home, or portion thereof, used as a dwelling, home, residence, or living place by 1 or more human beings. "Residential premises" includes an apartment unit, a boardinghouse, a rooming house, a mobile home, a mobile home space, and a single or multiple family dwelling, but does not include a hotel, a motel, motor home, or other tourist accommodation, when used as a temporary accommodation for guests or tourists, or premises used as the principal place of residence of the owner and rented occasionally during temporary absences including vacation or sabbatical leave.
Michigan's Rental Agreement Act (MCL § 554.632) establishes two foundational definitions that shape which housing arrangements fall under the law's protections. A 'rental agreement' must be a written document covering the substantive terms of occupancy — a document that only lists basic identifying details like the parties, address, rent amount, and due dates does not qualify. 'Residential premises' covers a broad range of permanent or semi-permanent dwellings, including apartments, rooming houses, and mobile homes, but excludes hotels, motels, and similar temporary tourist accommodations, as well as an owner's primary home rented out only during occasional absences like vacations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 554.632, property owners and managers should understand that a written lease covering only bare-bones details — such as the parties' names, the address, and the rent amount — may not constitute a 'rental agreement' as defined by the act, potentially affecting which statutory protections and obligations apply. Operators of hotels, motels, or similar short-term tourist accommodations, as well as homeowners who rent their primary residence only during occasional absences, generally fall outside the definition of 'residential premises' under this provision. Compliant operators typically ensure their written agreements address substantive terms of use and occupancy so that the document clearly qualifies under the act's framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 554.632 defines the scope of Michigan's Rental Agreement Act, and understanding these definitions helps tenants determine whether their housing situation is covered by the law's protections. Tenants living in apartments, rooming houses, boardinghouses, mobile homes, or similar permanent dwellings are generally included within the definition of 'residential premises,' while those staying in hotels or other temporary tourist accommodations typically are not. Tenants who are uncertain whether their written lease qualifies as a 'rental agreement' under this provision — or whether their dwelling qualifies as 'residential premises' — may find it useful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about how these definitions are applied.
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.
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