DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. You should contact a lawyer who is trained in the law in your jurisdiction.

Updated: 2/15/2025

General information

Important

1. Document each incident with the date and time. If police were called get a copy of the police report. It can take a week, sometimes more, for the report to be filed by the officer. You can get a free personal wiki on https://tiddlyhost.com to make notes and log events. Just sign up for a free account, there are no ads. Tiddlyhost hosts Tiddlywiki which also supports Markdown. Get the add-on here.
2. If you're a man, the deck is already stacked against you. Men have not organized to create men's services, but women have organized to create women-only services. Some areas still have the 1970s policy to arrest the man in every DV situation, just because he's a man. Be ready for this. An arrest is not a charge, the charge comes later. Charges may be dropped against him at a later date.
3. Homeless shelters will often exclude men if there are any women or children at the shelter at all. Call them first to see if there are any openings for men.
4. Do not bring drugs (like pot) in the shelter whether they are legal or not. This may create liability for the shelter and they may have rules against this. If you want to fight about this then sue the shelter in court. Don't argue with the people who run the shelter, they have no power at all.

Michigan

In Michigan, tenants who are victims of domestic violence have legal protections that allow them to break a lease without penalty. Michigan law (MCL 554.601b) allows a tenant to terminate a rental agreement early if they or their child are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-554-601B

1. Provide written notice to the landlord. The tenant must be the next month's rent (the WHOLE rent to avoid legal problems) after written notice is given. Deliver the written notice by hand or via certified mail, NOT regular mail.
2. One of these must be provided:
   1. A copy of a Personal Protection Order (from a judge).
   2. A police report filed within the last 14 days. You MUST get a copy of that police report so it can be filed 14 days from the date of said report, with your letter to your landlord.
   3. A third-party verification (such as from a DV counselor, health professional, or clergy member).
3. The tenant MUST move out by the end of the next full rental period as stated in the lease.
4. The landlord cannot retaliate against the tenant for breaking the lease.
5. The tenant’s security deposit should be returned according to the lease terms, minus any unpaid rent or damages.
6. The landlord cannot disclose the tenant’s domestic violence status to others.
7. Should the landlord not follow these laws you will have to get a lawyer involved and file a lawsuit.
8. Failure to follow all instructions means you have no legal case.
9. This right to break a lease cannot be waived by any clause in a lease. https://ipropertymanagement.com/laws/breaking-a-lease-in-michigan?u=%2Flaws%2Fbreaking-a-lease-in-michigan#3-domestic-or-sexual-violence If the landlord disagrees, get a lawyer involved.
10. What is DV?
    1. It is committed against the tenant or child of a tenant by a household member
    2. It is intended to result in harm, injury, or sexual assault OR it reasonably places the victim in fear of imminent harm or assault. https://ipropertymanagement.com/laws/breaking-a-lease-in-michigan?u=%2Flaws%2Fbreaking-a-lease-in-michigan#3-domestic-or-sexual-violence

Links

1. Breaking a lease in Michigan for DV. https://michiganlegalhelp.org/resources/housing/breaking-lease-domestic-violence-situations
2. How to break a lease in Michigan, 9 ways. https://ipropertymanagement.com/laws/breaking-a-lease-in-michigan

In homeless shelters keep all valuables locked up and in your sight.

Get help in Grand Rapids, MI

Shorter term solutions like shelters

1. Puertas Abiertas Inc emergency shelter. 24/7 phone: 616-690-8267, text: 616-690-8267, email: [email protected], https://www.domesticshelters.org/help/mi/grand-rapids/49505/puertas-abiertas-inc
2. YMCA West Central Michigan. There are pet options. 25 Sheldon Blvd, Grand Rapids, MI. 24/7 hotline: 616-451-2744, email: [email protected], https://www.domesticshelters.org/help/mi/grand-rapids/49503/ywca-west-central-michigan and https://www.ywcawcmi.org/
3. Safe Haven Ministries. 24/7 Hotline: 616-452-6664, text: 616-452-6664, email: [email protected], https://www.domesticshelters.org/help/mi/grand-rapids/49506/safe-haven-ministries
4. Green Gables Haven, Hastings, MI. 24/7 hotline: 269-945-4777, https://www.domesticshelters.org/help/mi/hastings/49058/green-gables-haven
5. Exodus Place homeless shelter in downtown Grand Rapids. 322 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI. https://exodusplace.org/
6. Mel Trotter Ministries. 225 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI. https://www.meltrotter.org/
7. Covenant House. 26 Antoine St SW, Grand Rapids, MI. "Covenant House Michigan (CHMI) provides shelter and hope to young people aged 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness or victims of trafficking in Grand Rapids and Detroit." https://www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-shelters/grand-rapids-michigan
8. Family Promise. 516 Cherry St, Grand Rapids, MI. "We give parents the hope, encouragement, and connections they need to create a better future for their kids and end the cycle of homelessness. Through our emergency housing, housing opportunities, and stabilization services, we’ve helped nearly 4,000 families build a stronger future." https://www.familypromisewm.org/
9. Homeless Outreach Team. 1101 Monroe Ave NW. https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Community-Development/Homelessness/Outreach-Team-FAQ
10. Heartside. 101 Sheldon Blvd SE #2. 616-454-0928.
11. Hope Community. "Housing Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness." https://www.grhousing.org/emergency-housing
12. Baxter Community Center. 935 Baxter St SE. 616-456-8593. https://wearebaxter.org/

Longer term solutions

1. Well House. 600 Cass Ave, Grand Rapids, MI. "Our model is simple: we purchase vacant, boarded-up houses and bring them back to life.". https://wellhousegr.org/
2. ICCF Family Haven. 701 Prospect Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI. 616-247-4949. "We work every day to create affordable rental and homeownership opportunities in West Michigan." https://iccf.org/homes/

Get help in Kalamazoo

1. Michigan DV help line. 866-voicedv https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/publicsafety/crimevictims/assistance/domestic-violence-hotline
2. YMCA Kalamazoo. 24/7 hotline: 269-385-3587, Admin 269-345-5595
3. Domestic Violence Coalition. 24/7 269-655-9008. Text: 269-391-6747.
4. Sylvia's Place. 24/7hotline: 269-673-8700
5. Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services. 24/7 hotline: 800-828-2023.
6. SAFE place. 24/7 hotline: 269-965-7233.
7. Search for more places by city. https://www.domesticshelters.org/search#?q=Kalamazoo&latitude=42.2917069&longitude=-85.5872286&page=1

Draft letter to break a lease

Send this letter to your landlord no later than 10 days after the date on the police report. Include a copy of the police report.

[Your Name]  
[Your Address]  
[City, State, ZIP Code]  
[Your Phone Number]  
[Your Email Address]  
[Date]

[Landlord's Name]  
[Landlord's Address]  
[City, State, ZIP Code]  

Subject: Notice of Lease Termination Due to Domestic Violence

Dear [Landlord's Name],

I am writing to formally notify you of my intent to terminate my lease early due to domestic violence, as permitted under Michigan law (MCL 554.601b). As a victim of domestic violence, I am exercising my legal right to terminate my lease without penalty to ensure my safety and well-being.

Per the requirements of Michigan law, I am including the necessary documentation to substantiate my claim, which consists of [choose one: a copy of a personal protection order, a police report dated within the last 14 days, or a signed statement from a qualified third-party professional].

In compliance with the statute, my lease termination will be effective at the end of the next full rental period following this notice. My final rental payment will cover the rent due through [Last Rent Payment Date], and I will vacate the premises on or before that date. Please arrange for a final walkthrough and instructions regarding the return of my security deposit.

I appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Please confirm receipt of this notice and let me know if any further action is required on my part. You can reach me at the contact information provided above.

Sincerely,  
[Your Name]