How to Serve an Eviction Notice in Michigan

Published 2026-05-10 by Papers Delivered (Process Servers), 24/7 Michigan process server based in Troy, serving the entire state of Michigan, all 83 counties.

Why Service Matters in a Michigan Eviction

Michigan landlord-tenant law (the Summary Proceedings Act, MCL 600.5701 et seq.) requires the landlord to serve a written notice on the tenant before filing a complaint in district court. Skip the notice or botch the service and the court will dismiss your case at the first hearing. The tenant continues occupying the unit, and you lose another 30+ days of rent while you re-serve and re-file. The notice and its proof of service are the foundation of every eviction.

Step 1: Identify the Right Notice

• Notice to Quit (DC 100a, DC 100b, DC 100c): terminates tenancy. Required before filing complaint.
  • DC 100a: 7-day Demand for Possession (nonpayment of rent)
  • DC 100b: Notice of Termination of Tenancy (lease expired, month-to-month)
  • DC 100c: Demand for Possession (material lease breach, e.g., damage, illegal activity)
• Demand for Possession: the financial-cure or move-out demand attached to nonpayment cases.
• Writ of Possession: post-judgment court order issued after the eviction hearing. Sheriff (or court officer) executes, but the writ itself often gets served separately when entering the unit.

Step 2: Calculate the Notice Period

Michigan's notice periods are statutory. The clock starts the day after service, not the day of service:

• Nonpayment of rent: 7 days
• Material lease breach: 7 days (or as the lease specifies, whichever is longer)
• Holdover (lease expired, month-to-month): 30 days for periodic, 7 days for at-will
• Drug/alcohol-related illegal activity: 24 hours
• Subsidized housing: Federal HUD timelines may apply; consult counsel

Step 3: Serve Properly

Michigan permits multiple service methods, but each has tradeoffs:

1. Personal service on the tenant: strongest, hardest to challenge.
2. Substituted service at the premises with a person of suitable age and discretion: valid but commonly contested.
3. Posting + first-class mail: "nail and mail" allowed if other methods fail. Contested constantly.

A professional Michigan process server with audio/video documentation renders the service nearly bulletproof. The video shows the door, the tenant or substitute, the document handed off, and the date/time stamp. We comply with MCL 750.539c (Michigan's one-party consent law; our server is the consenting party).

Step 4: File the Complaint

After the notice period expires, file your eviction complaint at the proper district court. Pages we serve daily:

• 41A District Court Shelby Township: serves Shelby Twp, Macomb Twp, Utica, Washington Twp
• 41A District Court Sterling Heights: serves Sterling Heights
• 41B District Court Clinton Township: serves Clinton Twp, Mt. Clemens, Harrison Twp, Fraser
• 52-4 District Court Troy: serves Troy, Clawson

Step 5: After Judgment, Writ of Possession

The court issues the Writ ~10 days after judgment. The writ authorizes physical removal but cannot be executed before the redemption period ends. Execution is by court officer or sheriff with proper notice. Re-key after execution.

The Re-Serve Trap

Most landlord-served notices that fail in court fail for one reason: the affidavit doesn't match what actually happened, OR the tenant claims they never received the notice. Audio/video documentation kills both defenses cold. We have served thousands of Michigan evictions; not one of our affidavits has ever been struck for service-defect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related

• When the Defendant Avoids Service
• Substituted Service Under MCR 2.105
• 2026 Process Serving Cost Guide