Grand Rapids Eviction Court Steps 2026–27: The 7-Day Demand, the 61st District Court and the 10-Day Window
Updated: Oct 23
An eviction in Grand Rapids goes through the 61st District Court, and Michigan's process can move fast. Here is each step, from the written notice to the order of eviction, and where you can still act.
AT A GLANCE
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If you rent in the City of Grand Rapids, an eviction case goes to the 61st District Court at 180 Ottawa Ave. NW. Michigan calls the court process summary proceedings, and it can move fast. But your landlord cannot simply change the locks or put your things out. Michigan Legal Help says a landlord must go to court to legally evict you and can't do anything to personally remove you.
This guide walks Grand Rapids renters through each step: the notice, how it must be served, the court case, rental assistance stays, the judgment, the 10-day window and the order of eviction. It is based on the 61st District Court's landlord-tenant page, Michigan Legal Help and Legal Aid of Western Michigan. This explains how the process generally works in Grand Rapids; it is not legal advice for your own case.
Step 1: The Notice
The 61st District Court says the eviction process starts with a proper written notice. Each reason for eviction has a set amount of time that must pass before the landlord can sue. A standard court form can be used, but a letter with the required information can also count as the notice.
The court lists these notice types:
Reason for eviction | Notice period | Court form |
|---|---|---|
Illegal drug activity | 24 hours | DC 100e |
Nonpayment of rent | 7 days | DC 100a |
Extensive and continuing physical damage, or a serious and continuing health hazard | 7 days | DC 100b |
Land contract forfeiture | 15 days | DC 101 |
Violation of a lease provision, or ending the tenancy | 30 days | DC 100c |
Mobile home park or government-subsidized housing | 30 days | DC 100d |
The court also notes that the notice is not the same as an Order of Eviction. Getting a notice does not mean you have to be out.
If you pay the full judgment amount before the deadline, Michigan Legal Help says you must be allowed to stay.
Step 2: The 7-Day Demand for Unpaid Rent
For unpaid rent, your landlord must give you a Demand for Possession, Nonpayment of Rent. Michigan Legal Help says the demand must:
be in writing and addressed to you,
describe the rental property, usually by address,
say how much rent you owe,
say you have seven days to pay or move out, and
include the landlord's address and the date.
The 61st District Court says you get seven full days to pay the unpaid rent or move. If you pay within the seven days, you have the right to stay. If you don't pay or move, the landlord may file on the eighth day.
The court's form instructions call this a "7-Day Notice," but say the lease or the law may require a longer period.
Step 3: Check How You Were Served
Michigan Legal Help says a landlord can serve the demand by:
giving it to you in person,
giving it to a household member who is old enough and responsible enough to accept it, with a request that it be given to you,
first-class mail, or
e-mail, but only if you agreed in writing to e-mail service, the landlord e-mailed you the agreement or confirmation, and you replied.
Michigan Legal Help gives examples of improper service: slipping the demand under your door, leaving it outside your door, attaching it to your property, or mailing it by a method that requires a signature. Write down exactly how and when you got the notice.
Step 4: The Summons and Complaint
If the notice period passes, the landlord files a summons and complaint in the 61st District Court. For unpaid rent, that's the Complaint for Non-Payment of Rent (DC 102a). After a 30-day notice to quit, it's the Complaint to Recover Possession of Property (DC 102c). Michigan Legal Help says a copy of your lease, the demand and a certificate of service must be attached.
The court says the landlord can ask for possession only, or for possession plus a money judgment. To get a money judgment, the court says the tenant must receive the summons and complaint by personal service or attend the hearing. Corporations and LLCs must be represented by a lawyer.
Find your court date and time on the summons and put it on your calendar now. Michigan Legal Help offers a free Do-It-Yourself Answer to Eviction Complaint tool you can use to prepare your answer.
Step 5: Apply for Rental Assistance and Ask for a Stay
Michigan Legal Help explains a rule that can pause your case:
You can apply for rental assistance before your first court date or within 5 days after it.
Tell the judge you applied. Fill out the Rental Assistance Form (check "Proof of Application"), attach proof, file it with the court and serve it on the landlord or the landlord's lawyer. You can do that at court.
The case should be stayed (paused) for 14 days.
To extend it, file and serve the form again (check "Status Update") with proof your application is still pending or approved, within 14 days of the first stay. The stay should be extended 14 more days, for 28 days total. After that, the case continues, and the next hearing could be your trial.
The 61st District Court lists the Rental Assistance Form (DC 539) in its forms library. To find help paying, Michigan Legal Help points to your local Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA) and Michigan's State Emergency Relief program.
Step 6: Get Free Legal Help
Legal Aid of Western Michigan (LAWM) is a nonprofit law firm whose Grand Rapids office serves Kent County.
Phone: 616-774-0672 (toll-free 800-442-2777; TTY 616-727-0916)
Office: 25 Division Ave S, Suite 300, Grand Rapids
Hours: weekdays 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
You can also apply online.
LAWM says it generally helps households at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, sometimes up to 200% with other qualifying expenses, and currently helps seniors over 60 even above those limits. Countable assets can't exceed $15,000. LAWM's housing work includes evictions where a tenant disputes the reason, faces a serious property condition problem, or lives in subsidized or Section 8 housing.
For case questions, the 61st District Court's civil and landlord-tenant clerk is at 616-632-5555 (civil@grcourt.org). The court's general line is 616-632-5700.
Step 7: Your Day in Court
For a nonpayment case, Michigan Legal Help says your landlord must prove all of these:
you did not pay your rent,
you were properly served with the demand, and
you did not pay or move out within seven days.
If the landlord doesn't prove all three, the judge should rule for you.
Defenses to raise. If you paid, bring your original receipts to court (give the landlord only copies). If the landlord didn't keep your home and common areas in reasonable repair, you can ask for a rent abatement, a reduction for the time you lived with those conditions. Bring photos and inspection reports. If you paid for repairs you didn't cause and the landlord knew about, you can file a counterclaim.
Bring: the notice and envelope, your lease, rent receipts or bank records, photos, texts and e-mails, and proof of any rental assistance application.
Step 8: The Judgment and the 10-Day Window
Michigan Legal Help says a judgment for the landlord must state what you owe, when you must pay or move, whether a partial payment will stop the eviction, any costs, and that you can file a motion or appeal within 10 days.
Usually you get 10 days to pay or move, and you can ask for more time.
If you pay the full judgment amount before the deadline, you must be allowed to stay. Be careful about paying less than the full amount.
Either side has 10 days to appeal. Michigan Legal Help recommends seriously considering a lawyer for an appeal.
Any deal with your landlord should be in writing and signed.
Step 9: The Order of Eviction
If you don't pay or move by the deadline, the landlord can apply for an Order of Eviction, also called a Writ of Restitution. Michigan Legal Help says:
A judge must sign it, and in most cases must wait 10 days after the judgment. An immediate order is possible only in limited situations, such as a serious and continuing health hazard.
You will usually get 24 hours' notice that the order has been issued.
A court officer, such as a sheriff's deputy, carries it out. Evictions happen any time of year, regardless of weather.
The landlord must request the order within 56 days of the judgment and carry it out within 56 days of its issue.
After the order is issued, it is very hard to stop. Get legal help before this point.
Before you call
☐ Identify your notice type and count the days.
☐ Pay the full amount within the 7-day demand if you can, and keep proof.
☐ Check whether you were served properly.
☐ Write down your court date from the summons.
☐ Apply for rental assistance before court or within 5 days after, and file the Rental Assistance Form.
☐ Call Legal Aid of Western Michigan: 616-774-0672.
☐ Bring all papers, receipts and photos to the 61st District Court, 180 Ottawa Ave. NW.
☐ If you lose, remember the 10-day window to pay, move or appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord lock me out without going to court? No. Michigan Legal Help says the landlord must go to court and can't personally remove you.
If I pay within seven days, can I still be evicted for that rent? The 61st District Court says a tenant who complies with the notice has the right to stay.
Can I stop the eviction after losing? If you pay the full judgment amount before the deadline, Michigan Legal Help says you must be allowed to stay.
Does a notice mean I have to leave now? No. The court says the notice is not an Order of Eviction.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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