Oakland County, Michigan: Small Claims for a Security Deposit

Limits: $7,000 (statewide). E-filing: Yes. Court: 50th District Court (Small Claims) - City of Pontiac; Oakland has 9 separate district courts (48th, 50th, 51st, 52-1 through 52-4, 6th, 44th) covering different cities/townships. County filing fee: $25/$45/$65 tiered per MCL 600.8420 plus $5 e-filing fee (52-3 site independently confirms a $15 base small-claims filing fee for some filing types - confirm exact tier with clerk).

Filing facts

State small claims limits	$7,000 (statewide)
County filing fee	$25/$45/$65 tiered per MCL 600.8420 plus $5 e-filing fee (52-3 site independently confirms a $15 base small-claims filing fee for some filing types - confirm exact tier with clerk)
E-filing	Yes
Time limit to sue in Michigan	6 years.
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). 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.
Penalty formula	MCL 554.613: failure of the landlord to comply fully with the itemization/damages procedure constitutes waiver of all claimed damages AND makes the landlord liable to the tenant for double (2x) the amount of the security deposit wrongfully retained. Unlike some states (e.g., MA, IL), Michigan's statute does not condition this doubling on a separate finding of "bad faith" - it attaches automatically to noncompliance with the notice/itemization/45-day-suit procedure. No interest accrual requirement exists on Michigan security deposits. Bad faith required: No.
Deposit statute	MCL 554.601–554.616 (Landlord and Tenant Relationships Act, Act 348 of 1972), esp. §§554.602, 554.603, 554.609, 554.613

The fee depends on how much you claim; the court's schedule above shows the tiers.

Where to file

50th District Court (Small Claims) - City of Pontiac; Oakland has 9 separate district courts (48th, 50th, 51st, 52-1 through 52-4, 6th, 44th) covering different cities/townships

Courthouse city: Pontiac

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.

Official court website

Court page check not recorded

See how to file in Michigan for the state filing procedure.

Rent and deposits in Oakland County

County median gross rent: $1,319 per month.

County median gross rent by bedroom count
Bedrooms	Monthly rent
Studio	$1,005
1 bedroom	$1,064
2 bedrooms	$1,413
3 bedrooms	$1,643
4 bedrooms	$2,017

Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $1,413; two months is $2,826. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $1,413.

State legal maximum deposit in Michigan: 1.5 months' rent ($2,119.50 at the example rent).

Total households in Oakland County: 528,681.

Renter households: 146,624 (27.7% of all households).

Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 5.6%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.

County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed 2026-09-21.

Will my deposit claim fit the limit?

Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Oakland County, $1,413 per month.

The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.

Compared with $7,000 (statewide), the whole deposit range fits.

A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.

Towns this court serves

A deposit claim is usually filed where the property sits or where the landlord is.

Auburn Hills
Berkley
Beverly Hills
Bingham Farms
Birmingham
Bloomfield Hills
Clawson
Farmington
Farmington Hills
Fenton
Ferndale
Franklin
Hazel Park
Holly
Huntington Woods
Keego Harbor
Lake Angelus
Lake Orion
Lathrup Village
Leonard
Madison Heights
Milford
Northville
Novi
Oak Park

These towns and 16 more are in Oakland County.

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

Free help in Oakland County

Lakeshore Legal Aid
free civil legal services for low-income people, older adults, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, including housing disputes through the Counsel & Advocacy Law Line
Phone: (888) 783-8190

Statewide help

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
Phone: (800) 872-8432

These are independent organisations, not DemandLetterLab.

From letter to filing

Send a Michigan security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records. Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing.
Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
Time limit to sue in Michigan: 6 years.
Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.

This template uses Michigan law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.

Choose how to send your letter

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Document preparation and mailing, not legal advice. We do not assess your claim, choose a strategy, or promise a recovery.

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A print-ready PDF of the Michigan letter template, ready to download after payment.

Certified-mail instructions: what to ask for at the counter and what it costs.
Michigan small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

You fill in the template, print it, and pay postage. The same letter template is also available free by email below. The kit adds the print-ready PDF, mailing guide, and local details in one place.

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I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Michigan law (MCL 554.601–554.616), a landlord must return the deposit or respond in writing within [30 days, see the note above] after termination of tenancy/occupancy (move-out).

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Oakland County?

County filing fee: $25/$45/$65 tiered per MCL 600.8420 plus $5 e-filing fee (52-3 site independently confirms a $15 base small-claims filing fee for some filing types - confirm exact tier with clerk)

How long do I have to sue?

Time limit to sue in Michigan: 6 years.

Where do I file?

50th District Court (Small Claims) - City of Pontiac; Oakland has 9 separate district courts (48th, 50th, 51st, 52-1 through 52-4, 6th, 44th) covering different cities/townships. Courthouse city: Pontiac. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.