Wayne County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Wayne County in 2026
WayneCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Wayne County, including ownership history, assessed values, recorded documents, and tax data. Members of the public may find deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, tax assessments, and transfer records through official county resources. Record categories available through official channels include ownership records, encumbrance documents, tax and assessment records, building permits, and legal descriptions. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the document and the digitization status of the requesting office.
Property records in Wayne County may be searched through several official resources maintained by county government agencies. The primary repositories are the Wayne County Register of Deeds, the Wayne County Assessor's Office, and the Wayne County Treasurer's Office. Each office maintains distinct categories of property information, and members of the public are encouraged to identify the appropriate office based on the type of record sought.
Official Resources for Searching Wayne County Property Records:
| Resource | Record Type | Access Method |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne County Register of Deeds | Deeds, mortgages, liens, recorded instruments | Online, in-person, by mail |
| Wayne County Assessor's Office | Assessed values, property characteristics, ownership | Online, in-person |
| Wayne County Treasurer's Office | Tax bills, payment history, delinquency | Online, in-person |
| Wayne County GIS Portal | Parcel maps, zoning, aerial imagery | Online |
Multiple Access Methods:
- Online searches — The most convenient method; available through official county portals at no cost for basic searches
- In-person visits — Required for certified copies and access to records not yet digitized
- By mail — Written requests submitted to the appropriate office with applicable fees
- Through professionals — Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors provide comprehensive searches
Online Search Methods:
1. Property Appraiser Website
The Wayne County Assessor's Office maintains the primary online database for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access the Wayne County Assessor's property search portal at no cost and without registration.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID number
- By subdivision name
- By map or GIS location
- By legal description
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address and legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics including square footage, year built, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size, and building type
- Assessed value of land and improvements
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location and property card
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Wayne County Assessor's property search portal
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, parcel ID)
- Enter the search criteria in the designated field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the specific property to view the full property card
- Review ownership details, assessed values, sales history, and map location
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Register of Deeds — Official Records Search
The Wayne County Register of Deeds maintains the official index of all recorded instruments affecting real property. Basic searches are available at no cost through the Wayne County Register of Deeds online records system.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller or transferor)
- Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number
- Book and page number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
- Lis pendens notices
- Homeowner association documents
How to Search:
- Access the Register of Deeds online records system
- Select the preferred search type
- Enter grantor or grantee name, date range, or document type
- Review the results list
- Select a document to view the image, if available online
- Note the instrument number or book and page for future reference
- Some document images may require a per-page fee to download
3. Tax Collector Website
The Wayne County Treasurer's Office provides online access to property tax information through the Wayne County Treasurer's tax search portal.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and amount due
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances and delinquency status
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates by taxing authority
- Tax certificate information for delinquent properties
- Installment plan status and payment options
4. GIS / Mapping System
The Wayne County GIS portal provides interactive mapping tools that allow members of the public to visually locate parcels, view property boundaries, and access linked assessment records.
How to Use:
- Navigate the interactive map to the desired location
- Click on a parcel to view property identification information
- Access linked records from the Assessor and Register of Deeds
- View zoning layers, flood zone designations, and aerial photography
- Measure distances and view multiple map layers simultaneously
In-Person Searches:
Wayne County Register of Deeds
400 Monroe Street, 4th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5854
Wayne County Register of Deeds
Services available in person include viewing official records, requesting certified copies, searching grantor and grantee indexes, accessing record books, and receiving staff assistance with document searches.
Wayne County Assessor's Office
400 Monroe Street, Suite 520
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5990
Wayne County Assessor's Office
Services available in person include public access computers, staff assistance, property card retrieval, maps and plats, and exemption application processing.
Wayne County Treasurer's Office
400 Monroe Street, 5th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5990
Wayne County Treasurer's Office
Services available in person include tax payment processing, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.
By Mail Requests:
Property Appraiser
Written requests for property assessment information may be submitted by mail to the Wayne County Assessor's Office at 400 Monroe Street, Suite 520, Detroit, MI 48226. Requests should include the property address or parcel identification number, a description of the records sought, and a self-addressed return envelope. Copying fees apply.
Register of Deeds
Written requests for copies of recorded documents may be submitted by mail to the Wayne County Register of Deeds at 400 Monroe Street, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226. Requests should specify the document by instrument number, book and page, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for applicable copy and certification fees must accompany the request.
Through Professionals:
Title Companies
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches, prepare abstracts of title, and issue title insurance commitments. These services identify all recorded interests affecting a property and are standard practice in real estate transactions. Costs vary by transaction complexity.
Real Estate Attorneys
Licensed real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions, assist with complex ownership disputes, and advise on matters involving encumbrances or defects in title. Fees vary based on the scope of services.
Real Estate Agents
Licensed real estate agents access Multiple Listing Service data for listed properties, pull property histories, and compile comparable sales data as part of their representation services.
Search Tips:
- By address: Use the complete street address; try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W); check spelling variations
- By owner name: Enter last name first; try variations with and without middle initials; consider both current and previous owner names; search business entity names separately from individual names
- By legal description: Use the exact legal description from the deed, including subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range where applicable
- For historical records: Records predating digitization may require an in-person visit to the courthouse; staff can assist with microfilm and bound record books
Common Search Challenges:
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays
- Very old records may not be digitized and require in-person access
- Common names or similar addresses may return multiple results; verify by parcel number or legal description
- Indexing errors may cause records to appear under variant spellings
What Cannot Be Found Online:
- Unrecorded private agreements
- Pending sales prior to closing and recording
- Documents filed under seal by court order
- Some pre-digital records not yet scanned
What Is Wayne County Property Records
Property records are official documents related to real property — land and the structures affixed to it — maintained by Wayne County government agencies as permanent public records. These records establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and provide the factual basis for property tax assessment. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 565.201, instruments conveying or encumbering real property must be recorded with the county Register of Deeds to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.
Purpose of Property Records:
- Establish and document legal ownership of real property
- Provide an unbroken chain of title from original grant to present owner
- Record encumbrances including mortgages, liens, and easements
- Document property transfers and sale prices
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Protect property rights through the constructive notice doctrine
- Enable title insurance and facilitate real estate transactions
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records
Ownership records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, trustee's deeds, life estate deeds, and trust documents affecting real property. These instruments document every transfer of ownership and form the foundation of the chain of title.
Encumbrance Records
Encumbrance records include mortgages and deeds of trust, tax liens, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, deed restrictions and covenants, homeowner association documents, and lis pendens notices. These records inform prospective buyers and lenders of existing claims against a property.
Tax and Assessment Records
Tax and assessment records include annual property tax assessments, tax bills and payment histories, exemption records (homestead, senior, veteran, disability), millage rates, special assessments, and tax delinquency records maintained by the Wayne County Treasurer.
Legal Descriptions
Legal descriptions are contained in plat maps, subdivision plats, surveys, condominium declarations, and recorded instruments. They identify the precise boundaries of a parcel using lot and block references, metes and bounds descriptions, or section, township, and range coordinates.
Building and Permit Records
Building and permit records include building permits, certificates of occupancy, code violation notices, zoning designations, and land use classifications maintained by local municipal building and planning departments within Wayne County.
Who Maintains Property Records:
Wayne County Register of Deeds
400 Monroe Street, 4th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5854
Wayne County Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds records, indexes, and maintains all official instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats.
Wayne County Assessor's Office
400 Monroe Street, Suite 520
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5990
Wayne County Assessor's Office
The Assessor's Office maintains property valuation records, assessment rolls, property characteristic data, ownership information, and exemption applications.
Wayne County Treasurer's Office
400 Monroe Street, 5th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5990
Wayne County Treasurer's Office
The Treasurer's Office maintains tax bills, payment histories, delinquent tax records, tax certificates, and tax deed records.
Legal Framework:
Property recording in Michigan is governed by Michigan Compiled Laws § 565.29, which establishes the priority of recorded instruments and the constructive notice effect of recording. The statute provides that every conveyance of real estate not recorded is void as against any subsequent purchaser in good faith and for valuable consideration whose conveyance is first duly recorded. This recording act framework underpins the entire system of public property records in Wayne County.
Are Property Records Public Information in Wayne County?
Property records in Wayne County are public information. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq., public bodies are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. Property records maintained by the Register of Deeds, Assessor's Office, and Treasurer's Office are public records subject to disclosure without requiring the requester to state a purpose or demonstrate a qualifying interest.
As the Michigan Legislature has affirmed, "it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees." This principle applies directly to property records, which document government assessments, publicly recorded transactions, and the exercise of property rights.
Why Property Records Are Public:
Transparency
Public access to property ownership records ensures accountability in property taxation, prevents fraudulent secret transfers, and supports transparent government operations. The recording system is designed to make ownership and encumbrances visible to all.
Commercial Purposes
Property records enable real estate transactions, title searches, title insurance, property appraisals, market analysis, and mortgage lending. The entire real estate industry depends on the public availability of these records.
Legal Protections
The constructive notice doctrine — the legal principle that a recorded instrument provides notice to the world of its contents — requires that property records be publicly accessible. Without public access, the notice function of recording would be meaningless.
Public Interest
Property records serve genealogical research, historical documentation, journalistic investigation, community planning, and academic research. The public interest in transparent land ownership has been recognized in American law since the colonial period.
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens and encumbrances of record
- Tax assessments and payment histories
- Property physical characteristics
- Deeds and all recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Certain personal information is protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under Michigan law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections that limit the public disclosure of their residential addresses. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; members of the public should contact the Wayne County Assessor's Office for current policies on exemption application access.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public may access Wayne County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, developers, genealogists, historians, and journalists. No residency requirement, ownership interest, or business justification is required under current Michigan law.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial use of public property records is permitted under current law. Real estate marketing firms, property valuation services, title insurance companies, and data aggregators such as CoreLogic and First American compile and resell public property data. Such use is lawful provided it complies with applicable anti-harassment statutes, fair housing laws, and other legal restrictions on the use of personal information.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Wayne County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at no cost at the offices of the Wayne County Register of Deeds, Assessor's Office, and Treasurer's Office during regular business hours. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested.
Current Fee Schedule — Wayne County Register of Deeds:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording a deed or mortgage (first page) | $30.00 |
| Each additional page | $3.00 |
| Copy of recorded document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy of recorded document (per page) | $1.00 + $5.00 certification fee |
| Online document viewing | Free (basic search) |
| Online document download | Per-page fee may apply |
Recording fees in Michigan are governed by Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.2567, which establishes the statutory fee schedule for the Register of Deeds. Fees are subject to change by legislative action.
Current Fee Schedule — Wayne County Assessor's Office:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Online property record search | Free |
| Property record card (paper copy) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified assessment records | Fee varies; contact office |
Current Fee Schedule — Wayne County Treasurer's Office:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Online tax record search | Free |
| Copy of tax bill | $1.00 per page |
| Certified tax records | Fee varies; contact office |
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Online inspection of property assessment records through the Assessor's portal
- Online inspection of tax records through the Treasurer's portal
- Basic grantor/grantee index searches through the Register of Deeds online system
- In-person inspection of records at all three offices
Accepted Payment Methods:
The Wayne County Register of Deeds accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card for in-person transactions. Mail requests must be accompanied by check or money order payable to the Wayne County Register of Deeds. Online payment options vary by portal.
Fee Waiver Provisions:
Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, a public body may waive fees if the requester demonstrates that a fee waiver is in the public interest because the information primarily benefits the general public rather than the requester. Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing to the applicable office.
What's Included in a Wayne County Property Record?
A complete Wayne County property record draws from multiple official sources and encompasses ownership, physical characteristics, valuation, tax, encumbrance, and legal information.
Ownership Information:
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entireties, trust, LLC, or corporation), ownership percentage where multiple owners exist, the date of acquisition, and the deed instrument number or book and page reference. The mailing address for tax bill delivery is also included. Previous ownership information provides the chain of title, listing prior owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references.
Property Identification:
Each parcel is identified by its site address, mailing address if different, legal description (lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, or metes and bounds description), parcel identification number, tax account number, and any alternate or previous parcel numbers resulting from replatting or renumbering.
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, land use designation, and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area in square feet, year built and effective year, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type and material, foundation type, number of bedrooms, number of full and half bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features documented include attached or detached garage and number of spaces, in-ground or above-ground pool, porch and patio square footage, fireplaces, central air conditioning, heating type, water source, and sewer system type.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, state equalized value, and taxable value as determined under Michigan's assessment methodology. Historical assessed values for prior years are typically available for review, along with year-over-year percentage changes.
Tax Information:
Tax records include the current year tax amount, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown of taxes by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts). Payment status, due dates, discount information, and prior years' payment history are also included. Delinquency history, if any, is reflected in the Treasurer's records.
Exemptions Applied:
Wayne County property records reflect all exemptions applied to a parcel, which may include the Michigan Principal Residence Exemption (PRE), senior exemption, disability exemption, veteran exemption, agricultural exemption, and conservation or historic preservation exemptions.
Sales History:
Sales history records document prior transfers including sale dates, sale prices, deed types (warranty, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, trust transfer), deed instrument numbers, grantor and grantee names, and qualified or unqualified sale designations used for assessment purposes.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded encumbrances include current mortgages with original amounts, lender names, and recording dates; tax liens; judgment liens; mechanic's liens; HOA liens; code enforcement liens; easements; deed restrictions and covenants; and lis pendens notices. Releases and satisfactions of prior encumbrances are also part of the permanent record.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Property records reflect current zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, special district assignments (school, fire, water, community development), deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, flood zone designation under FEMA mapping, and any wetlands or conservation area designations.
Maps and Images:
Visual information available includes exterior property photographs, aerial imagery, GIS parcel boundary maps, plat maps, property sketches, and historical aerial photographs where available.
What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
- Interior photographs
- Confidential details from exemption applications
- Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
- Private unrecorded agreements
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Wayne County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Wayne County are maintained permanently. The Register of Deeds, Assessor's Office, and Treasurer's Office are required by law to preserve all recorded instruments affecting real property without a destruction date. This permanent retention requirement reflects the essential role of property records in establishing chain of title and protecting property rights across generations.
Legal Basis for Retention:
Michigan's records retention requirements for county government are established under the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget records management program and applicable state statutes. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and all related documents — are classified as permanent records that may never be destroyed. The chain of title depends on the unbroken preservation of every recorded instrument from the original land grant to the present.
Records Kept Permanently:
All recorded deeds are maintained permanently, dating back to Wayne County's formation and including original land grants and territorial period conveyances. All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, and releases are permanent records. All recorded liens of every type — tax, judgment, mechanic's, and statutory — are preserved permanently along with their releases. All recorded plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are permanent. Easements, restrictions, covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are all maintained permanently.
Format and Storage:
Historical records from the early periods of Wayne County's history exist in handwritten ledger books. Mid-twentieth century records are available on microfilm. Records from recent decades are maintained as digital scanned images in electronic document management systems with off-site backup and cloud-based redundancy. The Register of Deeds maintains climate-controlled storage for original paper records and microfilm archives.
Online Access by Time Period:
- Recent records (last 20–40 years): Fully available online through the Register of Deeds portal in most cases
- Moderate age (20–50 years): Available on microfilm at the courthouse; staff can retrieve same day
- Historical (50+ years): Available in original record books or microfilm; staff retrieval required; same-day access in most cases
- Very old (100+ years): Stored in archive; advance notice may be required; same public access rights apply
Property Appraiser Assessment Records:
Current and historical assessment records are maintained permanently by the Wayne County Assessor's Office. Property cards and assessment rolls are permanent records. Exemption applications are retained for a period determined by the applicable state records retention schedule, which varies by document type. Recent years of assessment history are available online; historical assessments are accessible at the Assessor's Office.
Tax Collector Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years under standard government records retention schedules. Tax certificates are retained until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are maintained for several years following resolution. Permanent tax deed sale records are maintained by the Register of Deeds.
Chain of Title:
A complete chain of title traces every transfer of ownership from the original land grant to the present owner. Title searches in Michigan practice review a minimum of 40 years of title history, though a full abstract may extend back to the original patent. Gaps in the chain of title create marketability problems that require legal resolution. The permanent preservation of all recorded instruments ensures that the chain of title remains intact and accessible.
Destruction of Records:
Recorded instruments affecting title to real property are never destroyed. Administrative working files, duplicate copies, internal correspondence, and certain exemption application materials may be destroyed following the applicable retention period under the state records retention schedule. No instrument recorded in the official records of the Wayne County Register of Deeds is subject to destruction.
Contact for Historical Records:
Wayne County Register of Deeds
400 Monroe Street, 4th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5854
Wayne County Register of Deeds
Members of the public seeking historical records should contact the Records Management section and specify the property address or legal description, the approximate time period, and the type of document sought. Retrieval time ranges from same-day to several business days depending on the age and format of the record.
Wayne County Assessor's Office
400 Monroe Street, Suite 520
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5990
Wayne County Assessor's Office
How To Find Liens on Property in Wayne County?
A lien is a legal claim recorded against real property that secures payment of a debt or obligation. In Wayne County, liens are recorded as official instruments with the Register of Deeds and are searchable through the official records index. Members of the public, prospective buyers, lenders, and title professionals may search for liens using the following methods.
Types of Liens Found in Wayne County Property Records:
- Tax liens — Federal tax liens filed by the IRS and Michigan state tax liens filed by the Michigan Department of Treasury
- Judgment liens — Liens arising from court judgments recorded against a property owner
- Mechanic's liens — Claims by contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers for unpaid construction work
- HOA liens — Claims by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Code enforcement liens — Municipal liens for unpaid code violation fines
- Child support liens — Liens arising from unpaid child support obligations
Step-by-Step Search Process:
- Access the Wayne County Register of Deeds online records system
- Select the grantee name search option (liens are indexed under the property owner's name as grantee/debtor)
- Enter the property owner's full legal name as it appears on the deed
- Filter results by document type to isolate lien instruments
- Review all results for the relevant time period
- Note instrument numbers, recording dates, and lien amounts
- Search for corresponding releases or satisfactions to determine whether identified liens have been discharged
- For federal tax liens, cross-reference with the IRS federal tax lien search maintained at the federal level
Searching for Tax Delinquency Liens:
Property tax delinquency information is maintained by the Wayne County Treasurer's Office. Members of the public may search for delinquent tax status through the Wayne County Treasurer's tax search portal by entering the property address or parcel number. Properties with unpaid taxes for three or more years are subject to forfeiture and foreclosure proceedings under Michigan law.
In-Person Lien Search:
Members of the public may conduct in-person lien searches at the Wayne County Register of Deeds using the public access terminals available in the office. Staff can assist with searches of the grantor/grantee index and document type index. Certified copies of lien instruments are available for the standard per-page fee.
Professional Lien Searches:
Title companies and licensed abstractors conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process. A professional title search identifies all recorded liens, encumbrances, and claims against a property and is standard practice prior to any real estate purchase or refinancing transaction.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Wayne County?
The property owner rule in Wayne County refers to the body of Michigan law and local regulations governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Under Michigan law, any individual, corporation, limited liability company, trust, partnership, or other legal entity may hold title to real property in Wayne County.
Establishment of Ownership:
Legal ownership of real property in Wayne County is established by a recorded deed. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 565.201, a deed must be in writing, signed by the grantor, witnessed, acknowledged before a notary public, and recorded with the Wayne County Register of Deeds to be effective against subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but does not provide constructive notice to third parties.
Forms of Ownership:
Michigan law recognizes several forms of concurrent ownership of real property:
- Tenancy in common — Two or more owners each hold an undivided fractional interest; interests pass by will or intestate succession upon death
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more owners hold equal undivided interests; upon the death of one joint tenant, the surviving joint tenant or tenants take the deceased's interest by operation of law
- Tenancy by the entireties — A form of joint ownership available only to legally married spouses; neither spouse may convey or encumber the property without the other's consent
- Trust ownership — Property held by a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries under a trust instrument
- Entity ownership — Property held by a corporation, LLC, partnership, or other legal entity in the entity's name
Principal Residence Exemption:
Michigan property owners who occupy their property as their principal residence are entitled to the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE), which exempts the property from the portion of the school operating millage levied under the State Education Tax Act. To claim the PRE, the owner must file an affidavit with the local assessor by June 1 of the tax year. The PRE is reflected in the Wayne County Assessor's property records and reduces the property's taxable value for school tax purposes.
Property Tax Assessment Rules:
Under Michigan's Proposal A, adopted in 1994, the taxable value of a property may not increase by more than 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less, in any given year — except in the year following a transfer of ownership. Upon transfer, the taxable value is uncapped and reset to the state equalized value (50 percent of market value) for the following tax year. This uncapping rule is a critical consideration for buyers of Wayne County property, as it may result in a significant increase in property taxes following purchase.
Adverse Possession:
Michigan law recognizes adverse possession as a means of acquiring title to real property. Under established Michigan common law principles, a person who openly, notoriously, exclusively, continuously, and hostilely possesses another's land for