Civil procedure: evictions; rent abatement remedies and award of attorney fees; modify. Amends secs. 5720, 5741 & 5759 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5720 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4989'25

HB 4990 modifies Michigan's eviction laws to strengthen tenant protections. It adds new defenses against retaliatory evictions (e.g., for tenants reporting safety violations or joining tenant groups) and allows courts to deduct rent owed when landlords breach leases or safety codes (Sec. 5720, 5741). The bill also prohibits landlords from recovering late fees if they breached the lease and limits attorney fees/costs for landlords who fail to meet legal obligations (Sec. 5759). These changes directly affect tenants facing eviction and landlords initiating eviction proceedings. The bill aims to ensure evictions are not used as punishment for lawful tenant actions.