Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Eviction in Detroit follows Michigan state law (MCL 600.5701 et seq.) and local court rules (36th District Court). While the legal minimum is ~3–4 weeks, real-world timelines typically run 6–10+ weeks due to court backlogs, tenant defenses, and procedural requirements.
| Stage | Action | Typical Duration | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Notice | Landlord serves Notice to Quit | 7 days (nonpayment) 30 days (lease violation/holdover) | Must be written, proper service (personal, substituted, posting+mail). Nonpayment: 7-day demand for rent or possession. Other: 30-day notice to quit. |
| 2. Filing | Landlord files Complaint (DC 102a) + Summons | 1–3 days | Filing fee: $45 (claim ≤$1,500) / $65 (>$1,500). E-filing mandatory for attorneys. |
| 3. Service | Tenant served with Summons/Complaint | 3–7 days | Personal, substituted (household member + mail), or posting+mail (court permission). Must be ≥3 days before court date. |
| 4. First Appearance | Initial court date (typically 10–21 days post-filing) | 10–21 days | Tenant can: admit (consent judgment), deny (trial set), request adjournment (7 days), request jury (rare), apply for legal aid. |
| 5. Trial / Hearing | Evidence, testimony, arguments | 1–3 weeks after first appearance | Bench trial default. Landlord must prove: tenancy, notice, nonpayment/violation, amount owed. Tenant defenses: payment, repair deduct, retaliation, discrimination, improper notice, COVID protections (expired). |
| 6. Judgment | Court issues Judgment of Possession | Same day – 1 week | Money judgment + possession. 10-day appeal window (tenant must pay rent into court to stay). |
| 7. Writ of Restitution | Landlord requests Writ (DC 107) | After 10-day appeal period | If no appeal/stay. $15 fee. Court issues to court officer. |
| 8. Eviction Execution | Court officer posts 24-hr notice, then removes tenant | 7–14 days after Writ | Officer schedules; tenant can move voluntarily. Forced removal: belongings placed at curb (landlord not responsible). Lockout by landlord = illegal (MCL 600.2918). |
Bottom line: Landlords should budget 8–12 weeks from notice to possession; tenants have multiple intervention points but must act at each deadline.