Wayne County, Michigan: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is described in the facts table in Detroit. 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: $1,094. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | 36th District Court (Small Claims Division) - City of Detroit; other Wayne County cities/townships are served by separate district courts (e.g. 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 29th, 30th, 33rd, 34th District Courts) depending on where the rental property/defendant is located |
|---|---|
| City | Detroit |
| County filing fee | $25 (claims to $600) / $45 ($600-$1,750) / $65 (over $1,750), per MCL 600.8420, plus $5 e-filing system fee |
| E-filing | Yes, see filing page |
| Small claims limit | $7,000 (statewide) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 6 years |
| 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 |
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).
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts 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 prejudiced | 30 days | 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) |
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: 36th District Court (Small Claims Division) - City of Detroit; other Wayne County cities/townships are served by separate district courts (e.g. 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 29th, 30th, 33rd, 34th District Courts) depending on where the rental property/defendant is located. 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:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Wayne County.
- 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 Wayne County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $827 | $827 | $1,654 | Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 2 | $1,094 | $1,094 | $2,188 | Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $1,259 | $1,259 | $2,518 | Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 4 | $1,352 | $1,352 | $2,704 | Fits 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 Wayne County compare with other Michigan counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,094: rank 12 of 83 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 35.5% of households rent in Wayne County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Clinton County | $1,110 |
| Monroe County | $1,101 |
| Wayne County | $1,094 |
| Eaton County | $1,092 |
| Kalamazoo County | $1,091 |
| Emmet County | $1,086 |
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 Wayne County
- Allen Park
- Belleville
- Dearborn
- Dearborn Heights
- Detroit
- Ecorse
- Flat Rock
- Garden City
- Gibraltar
- Grosse Pointe
- Grosse Pointe Farms
- Grosse Pointe Park
- Grosse Pointe Woods
- Hamtramck
- Harper Woods
- Highland Park
- Inkster
- Lincoln Park
- Livonia
- Melvindale
- Northville
- Plymouth
- River Rouge
- Riverview
- Rockwood
And 9 more.
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
- 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
- Wayne Metro Community Action Agency: HUD-approved housing counseling including rental counseling, landlord-tenant rights, security-deposit education, and a Renting Right class
- 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 Wayne County?
County filing fee: $25 (claims to $600) / $45 ($600-$1,750) / $65 (over $1,750), per MCL 600.8420, plus $5 e-filing system fee.
Where do I file a deposit claim in Wayne County?
36th District Court (Small Claims Division) - City of Detroit; other Wayne County cities/townships are served by separate district courts (e.g. 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 29th, 30th, 33rd, 34th District Courts) depending on where the rental property/defendant is located 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.