Your tenant’s rent was due, but the payment never arrived. What should you do next?
For a self-managing landlord, a missed rent payment can quickly become stressful, especially if you’ve never dealt with one before. Should you give the tenant a few extra days? Send a notice? Start an eviction? And how long does the process actually take in Michigan?
The most important thing is to have a consistent process and act promptly.
Michigan has specific requirements landlords must follow before recovering possession of a property for nonpayment. Skipping steps, improperly serving a notice, or trying to remove a tenant yourself can delay the process and expose you to legal claims or penalties.
Here’s a general week-by-week look at the process for Grand Rapids-area landlords. The weeks below are an organizational guide, not fixed deadlines or a guaranteed eviction timeline. Longer notice requirements and court scheduling can change when each step is available.
Week 1: Rent Is Late
As soon as rent becomes late, start by reviewing your lease and confirming the tenant’s account.
Check:
- When rent was actually due
- Whether the lease provides a grace period
- Whether any payment has been received
- The amount of rent currently outstanding
- Whether there are pending payments or assistance
- Your lease provisions regarding late payments and fees
Document any communication with the tenant as well.
Reaching out promptly can sometimes resolve a simple issue before it becomes a legal dispute. A tenant may have forgotten to submit a payment, encountered a temporary banking problem, or be dealing with a short-term financial hardship.
But communication shouldn’t mean allowing the balance to continue indefinitely without a plan.
If rent remains unpaid, the next step in Michigan is generally sending a letter called a Demand for Possession – Nonpayment of Rent, or also commonly called a 7-Day Notice.
Week 2: Serve the 7-Day Demand for Possession
For a typical Michigan nonpayment case, a landlord must provide the tenant with a written demand before filing an eviction lawsuit.
The Demand for Possession identifies the property and the amount of rent owed and generally gives the tenant seven days to pay the rent or move out.
Before using that deadline, check whether a longer notice period applies. CARES Act-covered properties, including some with Section 8 vouchers or federally backed mortgages, may require at least 30 days’ notice to vacate for nonpayment. Other housing-program rules may also apply.
Have a Michigan landlord-tenant attorney confirm the property’s coverage, required notice language, and earliest lawful filing date; do not assume every form of rental assistance creates the same requirements.
The Demand for Possession can be delivered using a few methods, including personal delivery, first-class mail, or qualifying electronic service. Simply taping a notice to the tenant’s door or sliding it underneath the door isn’t proper service of a Demand for Possession.
Landlords should also retain documentation showing when and how the demand was served. If an eviction case eventually needs to be filed, the demand and its Certificate of Service become important parts of the court documentation.
Don’t Treat the 7-Day Notice as an Eviction
Serving a Demand for Possession does not mean the tenant has been evicted. It’s simply the first step toward a potential eviction case.
During this period, the tenant can still resolve the nonpayment by paying the amount due or moving out.
If the tenant pays the rent within the applicable period, a nonpayment of rent case based on that outstanding rent generally cannot proceed.
Week 3: The Notice Period Has Expired
If all applicable notice periods have expired and the tenant has neither paid nor moved out, the landlord may generally file a complaint with the appropriate district court to begin a summary proceeding.
This starts a landlord-tenant court case for nonpayment of rent; filing alone does not authorize removal of the tenant.
If the property is owned by an LLC or corporation, the entity must be represented by an attorney in the eviction case. An owner or property manager who is not an attorney cannot represent the entity in court. Arrange legal counsel before filing.
Documentation supporting the case can include:
- The signed lease and applicable lease renewal documents
- The Demand for Possession
- Proof or Certificate of Service
- Information showing the rental rate
- A tenant ledger or payment history showing the rent due and the dates it became due
A landlord pursuing a nonpayment case must be able to establish that rent was owed, that the tenant was properly served with the required demand, and that the tenant didn’t pay or move out within the required period.
If the balance, notice, service, or documentation is incorrect, the case can become more complicated, delayed, or even dismissed.
Weeks 4+: Prepare for the Court Process
Once a case has been filed, the court issues a summons (commonly referred to as a Notice to Appear) providing information about the case and the scheduled court appearance.
Exactly how quickly the case moves from filing to hearing can vary depending on the court, service, scheduling, tenant response, and circumstances of the case.
Before court, organize your records. That may include:
- The signed lease and applicable lease renewal documents
- Tenant ledger or payment history
- Demand for Possession
- Certificate of Service
- Relevant tenant communications
- Documentation of the amount owed
- Maintenance records or other documentation relevant to defenses raised by the tenant
A tenant can raise defenses or counterclaims in an eviction proceeding. For example, Michigan courts recognize circumstances in which property condition or repair issues may become relevant to a tenant’s defense for withholding rent.
What Happens If the Landlord Wins?
If the court determines that the landlord has established the nonpayment claim, it may enter a judgment for possession and potentially a money judgment, depending on what was requested and established in the case.
But even then, the tenant isn’t necessarily physically removed from the property that day.
For a possession judgment based on nonpayment of rent, Michigan law provides an opportunity for the tenant to retain possession by paying the amount required by the judgment within the applicable period. This period is typically set for 10 days from the date of the judgment.
If the tenant neither satisfies the judgment nor moves out by the end of the established waiting period, the landlord may apply for an Order of Eviction, also known as a writ of restitution or simply a writ.
Once the Order of Eviction is signed by the judge, a date is set, and an authorized court officer is appointed to carry out the Order of Eviction. This is the physical eviction.
Never Attempt a “Self-Help” Eviction
Even when a tenant owes significant rent, landlords should never take matters into their own hands.
Don’t:
- Change the locks to keep the tenant out
- Remove the tenant’s belongings
- Shut off utilities to force the tenant to leave
- Physically remove the tenant
- Otherwise interfere with lawful possession outside the court process
A tenant owing rent doesn’t give a landlord permission to bypass Michigan’s eviction procedures.
Following the proper process protects not only the tenant’s rights, but also the landlord’s ability to lawfully regain possession.
What If the Tenant Offers a Payment Plan?
Not every nonpayment situation needs to end in eviction.
Sometimes a tenant experiences a temporary hardship and has a realistic way to bring the account current.
Whether accepting a payment arrangement makes sense depends on the circumstances.
Before agreeing to one, consider:
- How much is currently owed?
- Has the tenant historically paid on time?
- When can the tenant realistically become current?
- Will another month’s rent become due before that happens?
- Has the tenant actually demonstrated an ability to make the proposed payments?
- How would accepting payment affect any notice or pending legal proceeding?
If you reach an agreement, document it properly in writing.
Be particularly careful once a formal notice or court case has begun. Accepting certain payments can affect the landlord’s rights or existing proceedings, so this is an appropriate point to seek guidance from a Michigan landlord-tenant attorney when necessary.
A Simple Michigan Nonpayment Timeline
For a typical nonpayment situation, think about the process this way:
Rent becomes late → Verify the balance and communicate → Serve the appropriate Demand for Possession → Allow all applicable notice periods to expire → File the court case if unresolved → Attend court → Obtain judgment if successful → Allow the post-judgment period → Request an Order of Eviction if still necessary.
Not every case will make it through that entire sequence.
Some tenants pay after receiving the initial notice. Others voluntarily move. Some landlords and tenants reach an agreement. Other cases proceed through court.
The important thing is knowing what your next step is and taking it at the appropriate time.
Why Having a Rent Collection Process Matters
Collecting rent isn’t simply a matter of checking your bank account on the first of the month.
A strong property management process establishes:
- When rent is considered late
- When tenants are contacted
- When formal notices are issued
- How balances and communications are documented
- When an account is escalated
- How payment arrangements are handled
- When legal counsel becomes involved
The best time to establish that process is before you have a tenant who owes thousands of dollars in back-owed rent.
When Professional Property Management Can Help
Nonpayment situations illustrate one of the less visible parts of owning rental property.
When everything is going well, self-management may seem relatively straightforward. But when rent stops coming in, the landlord suddenly needs to balance tenant communication, lease enforcement, documentation, Michigan’s legal requirements, court deadlines, and the financial impact of a growing balance.
At United Properties of West Michigan, our team manages these processes every day for rental property owners throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
Having established systems means a delinquent account doesn’t require an owner to figure out the next step from scratch. There’s already a process for communication, documentation, notices, and escalation. When court representation is needed, our established relationships with attorneys experienced in Michigan landlord-tenant law help us coordinate the next steps.
Is a Tenant Behind on Rent at Your Grand Rapids Rental?
If you’re currently self-managing a Grand Rapids-area rental and situations like nonpayment are becoming more time-consuming than you anticipated, professional management may be worth considering.
Contact United Properties of West Michigan for a free consultation to learn how professional property management can help with rent collection, tenant communication, lease enforcement, maintenance, leasing, and the other day-to-day responsibilities that come with owning a rental property.
The sooner you have the right systems in place, the less likely you are to find yourself wondering what to do when the next problem occurs.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for advice from a qualified Michigan landlord-tenant attorney. The week-by-week format is illustrative and does not establish legal deadlines or guarantee an outcome. Notice requirements and eviction timelines can vary based on the lease, property type, ownership structure, housing assistance or financing, court, facts of the case, and applicable state and federal law. Before serving a notice, accepting payments during a pending case, filing an action, or seeking an eviction order, confirm current requirements with qualified legal counsel.
Eden joined United Properties in 2016. Eden graduated from Davenport University in 2015 with an Associate’s in Business Administration. She’s the Executive Assistant to the Owner of United Properties, with a focus on procedural documentation. She enjoys playing guitar, reading, and doing outdoor activities. Eden is trilingual and able to communicate in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. 
David joined the United Properties team in 2019 as the Director of Client Relations and Business Development. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading all leasing, application underwriting, tenant relations, accounts receivable, process improvement, remote workers, and general office functionality (essentially anything outside of maintenance and service). David comes from a longstanding career at a Fortune 15 company primarily in a sales and customer service leadership role.
Cristina joined United Properties as the Accounting and Billing Team Lead in October of 2020. She has experience as a technology professional, an English-Spanish translator, and has worked the past several years as the treasurer of her condominium.
Rick joined United Properties in 2020 as a Service Coordinator and then later transitioned to the Collections team, where his customer service shines. Rick has an extensive background in customer service and enjoys being able to resolve issues. He and his wife are raising their two kids and in his free time, Rick enjoys making his own homemade jerky.
Harriet joined United Properties as a Accounting & Billing Specialist in February of 2021. She has experience as a bookkeeper and a Property Manager for a Real Estate account. She was a working student during her college days. Harriet loves cleaning because she thinks it is therapeutic. She also loves watching series during her free time, and she’s a fur mom of one dog. Her inspiration to work every day is her family.
Diego has an extensive background in customer service and, most recently in Maintenance and
Paulina joined United in early 2021 as a Leasing Assistant. She has a background studying social work, with several years of experience in customer service. She speaks English and Spanish fluently and loves to learn. Paulina enjoys small road trips and cold, rainy weather. Her dog is her favorite thing in the world.
Jessica has a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial strategies and public accounting and is studying a masters in Blockchain and Fintech regulation. She has previous experience as a customer service representative. She speaks English and Spanish. She loves taking long walks with her three dogs, hiking and road tripping during the weekends.
Chris Good is new to the United Properties Team since June 2022 as a Business Development Manager. With years of experience in both the construction industry (Master Electrician) and the Real Estate industry (Broker), he will closely work with new and experienced investors to facilitate their real estate goals.
Enrique Vergara (Henry)
Alyssa Conklin
Soroya has been with United Properties since March 2025. Her problem-solving, time management, and communication skills help her shine when working collaboratively with tenants and prospects. She is currently pursuing a degree in Cyber Security at Davenport University. Thanks to her tech-savviness, she excels at navigating and troubleshooting common technology and software issues.
Marlon Joined United Properties in 2025 as a service coordinator. He arrived with solid experience in customer service, property management, and marketing. If you need assistance with either a new or a previous situation, he will be more than glad to help you. Depending on the season, he likes spending time outdoors, going hiking, or simply taking a stroll around town to see what’s new in the city.
Hector began his career in customer service in 2017, gaining valuable experience in client support and communication. In 2021, he transitioned into sales roles, where he developed a strong ability to drive results and build relationships. Since 2023, he has worked in maintenance, IT, and tech support, expanding his skills in troubleshooting, systems support, and hands-on problem-solving. His background combines over eight years of customer-facing roles with a growing expertise in technical support and operations.
Gar Allison joined United Properties as Director of Operations in August 2025. He brings a decade of experience, covering construction project management, supply chain, sales, marketing, and regulatory compliance. Before that, he spent five years as an Engines Sales Representative in Kansas City, MO, shortly after graduating from Davenport University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
