Compliance reference · Michigan
Real estate prospecting laws in Michigan
This page is a plain-language reference for real estate agents prospecting in Michigan. Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the national Do Not Call registry, and the 4-step compliance checklist agents run before any cold outreach. This is not legal advice — when something on a real call gives you pause, check with a real attorney.
Federal floor: TCPA and the national DNC registry
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 1991+. You can't use an autodialer, prerecorded message, or automated text to contact a residential or mobile phone without prior express consent. Manual single-number dialing is generally allowed; automated mass dialing is not. Damages: $500 per violation, trebled to $1,500 for willful violations. Private right of action.
National Do Not Call registry (FTC). 240M+ numbers registered. Real estate cold calls are solicitation; there's no broad real-estate exemption. FTC enforcement damages up to $51,744 per call, plus private-action damages.
The 4-step compliance checklist
- Run every phone against the DNC registry. Federal + state where applicable. Reputable owner-data tools (LeadCove, BatchLeads, PropStream) do this inline.
- Flag TCPA litigators. Some consumers have a pattern of suing solicitors for TCPA/state-level violations. Skip them entirely; the legal exposure isn't worth one possible deal.
- Respect calling hours. Federal TCPA: 8am-9pm in the consumer's local time. Most state mini-TCPAs match or restrict further.
- Identify yourself and the brokerage immediately on every call. Several states require this by statute; doing it everywhere is good practice.
Cheapest insurance in real estate prospecting: an enrichment check on every lead before you dial. One credit (about 30 cents on the standard plan) pays for itself the first time it dodges a DNC number. Compared to a $1,500 fine, that's not insurance — it's a no-brainer.
FAQ
Is it legal to cold call property owners in Michigan?
Yes when done correctly. Federal TCPA, the national Do Not Call registry, all govern outbound real estate prospecting. Use a tool that flags DNC and TCPA-litigator records before dialing, respect calling hours, identify yourself immediately.
Does Michigan have its own Do Not Call list?
No — Michigan does not maintain a separate state Do Not Call list. The federal registry is the canonical compliance source.
What are the fines for TCPA violations in Michigan?
Federal TCPA: $500 per violation, $1,500 if willful. National DNC violations carry up to $51,744 per call in FTC enforcement.
Related
- TCPA + state mini-TCPAs: what triggers a fine — the broader overview
- Find a property owner in Michigan — the address-to-owner workflow
- Skip tracing tools: a neutral comparison