Genesee County, Michigan: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is 67th District Court, Small Claims Division in Flint. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: see the fee table. Claims up to $7,000. Michigan return time: 30 days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $964. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed67th District Court, Small Claims Division
CityFlint
County filing fee$25/$45/$65 tiered per MCL 600.8420 plus $5 e-filing fee (exact schedule not independently re-confirmed on court page during this check)
Small claims limit$7,000 (statewide)
State deposit return deadline
  • 30 days after Termination of tenancy/occupancy (move-out); landlord must mail itemized list of damages within 30 days; if no damages claimed, deposit balance must be returned promptly (courts/practice treat 30 days as the operative return deadline). Applies when: the tenant gives a forwarding address in writing within 4 days after termination of occupancy (MCL 554.611); without it the landlord is relieved of the notice-of-damages requirement, but the tenant's claim to the deposit is not prejudiced.
Time limit to sue6 years
Deposit statuteMCL 554.601–554.616 (Landlord and Tenant Relationships Act, Act 348 of 1972), esp. §§554.602, 554.603, 554.609, 554.613

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Details

Limits: $7,000 (statewide).

Your dates and your letter

Calculate your deadline and next letter

Your free letter

Get a DOCX letter with the dates and amount you entered.

Already sent a letter? Tell us if it worked

Details of the return rules
Michigan statutory deadlines
When it appliesDeadlineStarts from
the tenant gives a forwarding address in writing within 4 days after termination of occupancy (MCL 554.611); without it the landlord is relieved of the notice-of-damages requirement, but the tenant's claim to the deposit is not prejudiced30 daysTermination of tenancy/occupancy (move-out); landlord must mail itemized list of damages within 30 days; if no damages claimed, deposit balance must be returned promptly (courts/practice treat 30 days as the operative return deadline)

Michigan return rule: 30 days (the tenant gives a forwarding address in writing within 4 days after termination of occupancy (MCL 554.611); without it the landlord is relieved of the notice-of-damages requirement, but the tenant's claim to the deposit is not prejudiced). Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: 67th District Court, Small Claims Division. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Find and compare the legal names

Find and compare the legal names in these records:

  1. The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
  2. The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
  3. The owner of record in the property records of Genesee County.
  4. The Michigan business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.

What to bring to the clerk

  • Your lease.
  • Deposit receipt or payment record.
  • The demand letter and proof of delivery.
  • Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.

Is it worth filing here?

Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Genesee County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

BedroomsDeposit owedStatutory amountTotal illustrationLimit check
1$765$765$1,530Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim
2$964$964$1,928Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim
3$1,086$1,086$2,172Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim
4$1,219$1,219$2,438Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.

How does Genesee County compare with other Michigan counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $964: rank 27 of 83 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 29.2% of households rent in Genesee County.

Genesee County two-bedroom rent $964, rank 27 of 83 counties
Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
CountyMedian gross rent
Berrien County$972
Jackson County$966
Genesee County$964
St. Clair County$960
Wexford County$935
Otsego County$928

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 83 of 83 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Genesee County

  • Burton
  • Clio
  • Davison
  • Fenton
  • Flint
  • Flushing
  • Gaines
  • Goodrich
  • Grand Blanc
  • Lennon
  • Linden
  • Montrose
  • Mount Morris
  • Otisville
  • Otter Lake
  • Swartz Creek

These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file

Free legal help

  • Legal Services of Eastern Michigan: free civil legal assistance for people living in poverty in 14 Mid-Michigan counties, with emphasis on survival needs including housing
  • Legal Services of Northern Michigan: free legal advice and representation in 36 counties in Northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, including eviction defense, federal housing subsidies, and HUD-approved housing counseling for landlord-tenant problems

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Genesee County?

County filing fee: $25/$45/$65 tiered per MCL 600.8420 plus $5 e-filing fee (exact schedule not independently re-confirmed on court page during this check).

Where do I file a deposit claim in Genesee County?

67th District Court, Small Claims Division is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page

Who should I name in the claim?

Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

What should I bring to the clerk?

Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.

What's next?