Exhibit 5.1

                                February 1, 2008

Sun Communities, Inc.
27777 Franklin Road, Suite 200
Southfield, Michigan 48034

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Sun Communities, Inc. (the "Company"), a
Maryland corporation, in connection with the registration by the Company of
695,838 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share ("Common
Stock") pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2008 (the "Registration
Statement"). This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable
you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R.
229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

     This opinion is limited to the matters expressly set forth in this letter,
and no opinion is to be inferred or may be implied beyond the matters expressly
so stated. In rendering the opinion contained in this letter, we have assumed
without investigation that the information supplied to us by the Company is
accurate and complete.

     For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of the
following documents:

     A.   An executed copy of the Registration Statement;

     B.   The Company's Articles of Amendment and Restatement, as amended, as
          certified by the Maryland Secretary of State on January 24, 2008 (the
          "Charter");

     C.   Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Sun
          Communities Operating Limited Partnership, as presented to us by an
          officer of the Company;

     D.   The first through the two hundred forty-second amendments, inclusive,
          to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of
          Sun Communities Operating Limited Partnership, as presented to us by
          an officer of the Company;

     E.   The Bylaws of the Company, as presented to us by an officer of the
          Company;

     F.   The Consent Resolutions of the Board of Directors dated January 22,
          2008 approving the Registration Statement, as certified by an officer
          of the Company;

     G.   The Company's corporate minute book; and



     H.   An Officer's Certificate (the "Certificate"), dated as of the date
hereof, delivered to us by management of the Company.

     The documents listed in items A-H above are collectively referred to as the
"Documents".

     Our review has been limited to examining the Documents, applicable Michigan
and United States federal law and the General Corporation Law of Maryland (but
not including any other laws of the State of Maryland or judicial decisions or
other authorities of that State). Other than as set forth above, we have not
researched or made any inquiry of the laws of the State of Maryland and we
express no opinion concerning such laws or their effect on the opinions given in
this letter. Other than as set forth above, insofar as the opinions stated in
this letter involve the laws of the State of Maryland, we have, without
independent inquiry, verification or examination, assumed that the applicable
laws of the State of Maryland are the same as the laws of the State of Michigan,
and that courts in the State of Maryland would apply and enforce Maryland law in
the same manner as a court in the State of Michigan would apply and enforce
Michigan law.

     In rendering our opinion, we have assumed, without independent
verification, that: (i) all signatures are genuine; (ii) all Documents submitted
to us as originals are authentic; and (iii) all Documents submitted to us as
copies conform to the originals of such Documents. Our review has been limited
to examining the Documents and applicable law.

     To the extent that any opinion in this letter relates to or is dependent
upon factual information, we have relied exclusively upon the factual
representations and warranties set forth in the Certificate, and we have not
undertaken to independently verify any such facts or information.

     Based upon, subject to, and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that, as of the date hereof:

     1.   The Shares that may be issued in the future in exchange for Common OP
          Units (as such term is defined in the Registration Statement) have
          been duly authorized.

     2.   Upon issuance in the manner described in the Registration Statement of
          the Shares that are to be issued in exchange for the Common OP Units,
          such Shares will be validly and legally issued, fully paid, and
          non-assessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to
the Registration Statement, and to the use of the name of our firm in the
Prospectus under the caption "LEGAL MATTERS".


                                Very truly yours,

                         /s/ JAFFE, RAITT, HEUER & WEISS P.C.

                           JAFFE, RAITT, HEUER & WEISS
                            Professional Corporation