Michigan
Can Michigan tenants withhold rent if a landlord won’t make repairs?
Is it legal? Clarifying Michigan laws for everyday life
“Is it Legal?” is a weekly feature on freep.com that answers reader questions about Michigan laws. Topics covered include car window tinting regulations, permissible ways to deal with groundhogs, and whether it’s legal to record conversations in Michigan.
If a landlord isn’t making repairs in a rental home, can a tenant withhold their rent?
In short, yes, but it’s complicated.
A lease is essentially a contract between the landlord and tenant, saying the former will keep the property in good repair while the latter will pay rent, said Donovan McCarty, director of Michigan State University College of Law’s Housing Justice Clinic.
“If there are repairs, that means that the landlord has breached that contract, so the tenant then will often withhold rent,” McCarty said. But that is typically treated as a defense, meaning that once a landlord takes a tenant to court for nonpayment, the tenant can raise the issue of repairs and tell the judge that is why they were withholding payments. The money must be set aside in a separate escrow account.
Here’s what else to know:
What Michigan law says about withholding rent
Both tenants and landlords are responsible for maintaining a property, according to a guide for tenants and landlords by the state of Michigan’s Legislative Service Bureau. Michigan law requires landlords to keep properties in “reasonable repair” during the lease term and ensure the premises and common areas are fit for the intended use. These are referred to as “covenants of habitability and fitness,” or promises, from the landlord.
The law does not define “reasonable repair,” however. That means it is up to the discretion of a judge or jury if it’s brought before a court, the Legislative Service Bureau guide notes.
Michigan’s housing law is a floor, McCarty said, and municipalities can protect their residents beyond state law as needed. Detroit has its own rental ordinance. Ann Arbor has a housing code that outlines rules for rentals.
What can a tenant do if their landlord isn’t making repairs?
If a tenant needs repairs, they should let their landlord know as soon as possible and put it in writing, according to the Michigan Legal Help website, which is funded, in part, by the Michigan Supreme Court. If the landlord doesn’t respond, renters may withhold their rent by putting it into an escrow account or pay for the repairs themselves and deduct it from their rent.
The escrow account should be separate and hold only the rent money, the Michigan Legal Help website notes. The tenant should let their landlord know in writing that they’ve put the money into escrow. If a tenant decides to pay for the repairs, they should keep the receipts.
“Either should be done carefully and deliberately, ideally with advance notice (and an opportunity to cure the repair problems) to the landlord,” Jim Schaafsma, a housing attorney with the Michigan Poverty Law Program, said in an email. A renter can also make a complaint to their local building, housing or code enforcement agency.
How long should a tenant wait before putting their rent in escrow? How much rent can a tenant withhold pending repairs?
There’s no clear answer to either question, MSU’s McCarty said. There are, however, a couple of questions renters should consider: How would a judge — someone who is a neutral arbiter of the facts — view the action? In this case, is the act of withholding rent reasonable?
The city of Detroit is reworking its escrow program following a change in the rental ordinance, which meant administration of the program moved from the Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Department to the Housing and Revitalization Department, and now the new Department of Human, Homeless and Family Services. The new program is expected to roll out by summer. The city is working with partners on the administration, rules and technology of the program, according to the city of Detroit’s Chelsea Neblett. The 36th District Court in Detroit has a process for accepting escrow payments but only if there is a pending case and order for escrow. Renters can also set up their own account.
For more information, go to Michigan Legal Help michiganlegalhelp.org/resources/housing/tenant-rights-and-responsibilities or refer to the Legislative Service Bureau’s Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords at www.legislature.mi.gov/Publications/tenantlandlord.pdf.
Reach reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com.
Is it legal?
“Is it Legal?” is a recurring feature on freep.com that aims to help readers understand laws in Michigan and in their communities.
Do you have a question about what’s legal and what isn’t in Michigan? Email isitlegal@freepress.com and we’ll look into it for you.
The NEXT Weather Team is tracking Florida-like humidity and some storm chances for Southeast Michigan this week.
Monday will be the most comfortable day of the week, with dew points in the mid-50s to low 60s and high temperatures in the low to mid-80s under partly cloudy skies. Expect dry conditions and light winds as high pressure holds over the region.
A low pressure system from the High Plains will start moving in late Monday, bringing lots of moisture. Dew points are projected to rise sharply into the mid-60s to low 70s by Tuesday evening.
Showers and storms may start moving into Southeast Michigan overnight Monday and most of the Lower Peninsula is at moderate risk for excessive rainfall on Tuesday.
An extended stretch of heat and humidity is expected Wednesday through Friday with high temperatures between the upper 80s and low 90s and peak heat index values solidly in the upper 90s, with a chance of those values reaching 100.
Thursday is a NEXT Weather Alert Day as there could be either the highest and most dangerous heat index numbers or strong to severe storms. If storm chances increase, widespread heat impacts would be lessened. However, moderate to major heat impacts are possible, so be prepared by having a location for adequate cooling, limiting time outdoors and staying hydrated.
Pets should not be left outside for extended periods of time and may require extra water.
A cold front is expected to move through the state late Friday, bringing the heat and humidity down to more comfortable levels for the weekend.
Denny Hamlin made late pass for first Toyota NASCAR Cup Series win.
Denny Hamlin’s late move led to Toyota’s first NASCAR Cup Series win at Nashville Superspeedway.
Toyota was triumphant again last week in the NASCAR Cup Series, with Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing car winning at one of the few tracks they hadn’t won at before. He marked the occasion at Nashville Superspeedway with a bow in honor of Kyle Busch.
But now the 2026 season moves on to its annual stop at Michigan International Speedway, where American manufacturers had controlled Cup Series stops until recently. Hamlin is the defending champion at Michigan, and fellow Toyota driver Tyler Reddick won in 2024. Before that, however, Ford had won nine Cup Series races in a row at the company’s home state track.
The FireKeepers Casino 400 could be another test of how strong of a grip 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing have on the rest of the competition with Reddick, who leads the season with five wins, and Hamlin sitting atop the 2026 driver points standings.
Hamlin has three career victories at Michigan as do Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson (Chevrolet) and Team Penske driver Joey Logano (Ford). Larson, the reigning Cup Series champion, and Logano, a three-time champ, are each looking for their first wins this season.
Who will take the checkered flag today? Here’s all the information you need to get ready for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway:
What time does the NASCAR race at Michigan start?
The FireKeepers Casino 400 starts at 3 p.m. ET at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.
What TV channel is the NASCAR Michigan race on?
There is no television broadcast of the FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
Is there live stream of the NASCAR race at Michigan?
Amazon Prime Video is streaming the FireKeepers Casino 400 and will have a pre-race show at 2 p.m. ET. The race can also be streamed HBO Max.
Watch FireKeepers Casino 400 with Prime Video
How many laps is the NASCAR race at Michigan?
The FireKeepers Casino 400 features 200 laps around a 2-mile D-shaped oval course for a total of 399 miles. The race will have three stages (laps per stage) — Stage 1: Lap 45 (45 laps); Stage 2: Lap 120 (75 laps); Stage 3: Lap 200 (80 laps).
What is the lineup for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan?
(Car number in parentheses)
- (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota
- (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
- (45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota
- (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
- (19) Chase Briscoe, Toyota
- (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet
- (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet
- (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota
- (24) William Byron, Chevrolet
- (43) Erik Jones, Toyota
- (7) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
- (35) Riley Herbst, Toyota
- (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
- (17) Chris Buescher, Ford
- (41) Cole Custer, Chevrolet
- (38) Zane Smith, Ford
- (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
- (22) Joey Logano, Ford
- (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford
- (71) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet
- (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
- (4) Noah Gragson, Ford
- (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
- (10) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
- (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
- (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
- (60) Ryan Preece, Ford
- (33) Austin Hill, Chevrolet
- (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
- (97) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet
- (2) Austin Cindric, Ford
- (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
- (51) Cody Ware, Chevrolet
- (88) Connor Zilisch, Chevrolet
- (34) Todd Gilliland, Ford
- (44) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet
- (21) Josh Berry, Ford
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 6, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Daily 3 numbers from June 6 drawing
Midday: 0-1-0
Evening: 1-1-3
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from June 6 drawing
Midday: 9-2-4-0
Evening: 6-2-2-0
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Poker Lotto numbers from June 6 drawing
2D-4D-7D-9D-8S
Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 6 drawing
09-13-28-35-38
05-07-12-21-39
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Keno numbers from June 6 drawing
01-06-11-12-14-16-18-25-26-27-33-34-38-46-47-48-51-52-53-60-68-71
Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Classic Lotto 47 numbers from June 6 drawing
04-09-19-29-41-45
Check Classic Lotto 47 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from June 6 drawing
01-11-15-37-39-45
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lottery’s Regional Offices.
To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:
Michigan Lottery
Attn: Claim Center
101 E. Hillsdale
P.O. Box 30023
Lansing, MI 48909
For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a driver’s license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.
If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:
- Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325
For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s prize claim page.
When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?
- Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.
- Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily
- Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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