The Detroit security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your Detroit landlord must act within 30 days after termination under Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609-.613. If they missed it, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in Detroit are governed by Michigan state law: Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609-.613. Bad-faith retention can make the landlord liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld. Full Michigan deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Detroit are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Wayne County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Detroit at a glance
Population ~633,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 30-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed Michigan attorney.