The long middle
Owning a home in Michigan
Most homeowner questions do not need a grand tour of state law. They need the right first call. The assessor handles value and PRE. The treasurer handles the bill. Permits may be local, county, or state. The register of deeds is countywide. Start with the job in front of you and follow that lane.
Choose the job
One directory for the usual homeowner moments
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Tax notice or bill
Open the property-tax directory →Value, PRE, bills, and appeals
Use the assessor for value and exemptions, the local treasurer for a current bill, and the county treasurer after delinquent real-property tax moves out of local collection.
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Repair or remodel
Read Michigan's contractor guidance ↗Contractors, written bids, and permits
Check the license, put the scope and payment schedule in writing, and identify the enforcing agency before work begins.
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Permit or inspection
Find the official jurisdiction ↗Find who enforces each code
Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits can be handled by the city, township, county, or state. One project may involve more than one office.
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Insurance
Open Michigan DIFS homeowner help ↗Review coverage or handle a claim
Start with the declarations page and the policy itself. DIFS has Michigan consumer guides, license locators, and a complaint path when a company or agent problem is not resolved.
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Property record
Find the county register of deeds ↗Find a deed or recorded document
The register of deeds in the county where the land sits keeps recorded deeds, mortgages, and other land records. It does not settle an ownership dispute or draft a deed for you.
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Change of use
Check the PRE rules →Moving out, renting, or using it differently
A PRE may need to be rescinded, and local rental, zoning, or business-use rules may begin to matter. Check before the use changes, not after a notice arrives.
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Ready to sell
Open the Michigan seller guide →Get the disclosure and closing path in order
Gather repair and permit records, understand the disclosure statement, check the title and payoff, and plan for transfer tax and PRE rescission.
A simple yearly rhythm
Open the notices; keep the paper trail
Read the assessment notice even when your mortgage company pays taxes from escrow. Assessed Value, Taxable Value, classification, and PRE status can change the bill. If something looks wrong, the appeal calendar is short and the local notice tells you when that community's Board of Review meets.
Compare each insurance renewal with the declarations page, not only last year's price. Look at the dwelling limit, deductible, water or sewer backup, valuables, outbuildings, and any flood coverage. Standard home policies and flood coverage are not the same thing.
For major work, keep the signed contract, changes, canceled checks, permits, inspection approvals, warranties, and photos. That folder helps during an insurance claim, a contractor dispute, or the seller's disclosure years later.
Next steps
The next change in the house
Homeownership usually moves into one of these lanes next.
- Local Open your place page Find the county route, local tax rates, school districts, nearby places, and office handoffs for the property. Find your place →
- Money Understand the property-tax system See uncapping, PRE, the assessment notice, appeals, bills, and the homestead credit in one directory. Open property taxes →
- Property Check land, wells, and septic Use the local health, zoning, access, water, title, and mineral-rights paths for rural or waterfront property. Open the land directory →
- Sale Get ready to sell Put Michigan disclosure, title, transfer tax, PRE rescission, closing, and recordkeeping in order. Open the seller guide →
Michigan homeowner questions
Who do I call about a Michigan property-tax bill? +
Start with the city or township shown on the bill. The assessor handles assessed value, taxable value, and exemptions. The local treasurer handles the current bill and payment record. Delinquent real-property tax generally moves to the county treasurer after local collection ends.
Does one Michigan office issue every home-repair permit? +
No. Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing enforcement can be local, county, or state. Michigan LARA publishes a statewide jurisdiction list, and the responsible level can differ by trade in the same community.
How do I check a Michigan home contractor? +
Use LARA's license search and compare the name and license number with the written contract. The state also recommends a detailed scope, materials, dates, payment terms, permit responsibility, insurance, warranty, and signed copies of changes.
Where do I get a copy of my deed? +
Use the register of deeds in the county where the property is located. A recorded copy shows what was filed. Questions about ownership, deed language, trusts, or correcting a legal problem may need a Michigan real-estate attorney.
What happens to PRE if I move out? +
When the property is no longer your principal residence, Michigan generally requires Form 2602 to be filed with the city or township assessor within 90 days. A conditional rescission can apply in a narrower situation when the former home remains for sale and meets the state conditions.
Sources and review
Where the homeowner paths come from
The state agencies explain their lane. The parcel, policy, contract, and local office settle the property-specific answer.
- Data used
- Current Michigan Treasury, LARA, and DIFS guidance
- Last reviewed
- July 12, 2026
- Michigan Treasury - property tax for PRE, assessment, taxable value, forms, and property-tax guidance.
- Michigan LARA - helpful information for homeowners for contractor license checks, written contracts, payment, permits, and complaint boundaries.
- Michigan LARA - building permit information for the statewide jurisdiction list and the local, county, or state enforcing-agency boundary.
- Michigan DIFS - homeowners insurance for coverage, claims, license locators, shopping, and complaints.
- Michigan Treasury - register of deeds list for finding the county office that keeps recorded land documents.
Use this carefully: This directory is general information. For a dispute, deed, contract, insurance decision, tax position, or unsafe condition, use the responsible office and an appropriately licensed Michigan professional.