Housing

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4987: Housing: landlord and tenants; notification of defective conditions on premises and time limits for landlords to commence repairs; provide. Amends sec. 39 of 1846 RS 66 (MCL 554.139).

HB 4987 requires Michigan landlords to address tenant-reported repair issues within specific timeframes: 24 hours for urgent hazards like lack of heat, water, or bedbugs; 72 hours for appliance failures; and 10 days for other problems. Tenants must provide written notice via email, delivery, or approved electronic methods to trigger these deadlines. Landlords can extend timelines only if tenants interfere with repairs or unforeseen circumstances prevent timely action. This bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in Michigan lease agreements, strengthening tenant rights to habitable housing under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates strict repair timelines for landlords (24-10 days) with written tenant notice, strengthening tenant protections for habitable housing conditions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4988: Housing: landlord and tenants; cross-reference to the revised statutes of 1846; remove. Amends sec. 6 of 1978 PA 454 (MCL 554.636). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4987'25

HB 4988 amends Michigan's Truth in Renting Act to strengthen tenant remedies when landlords violate rental agreement rules. It allows tenants to sue for $250 (or actual damages) if a lease contains prohibited terms (Section 3 violation) or lacks required terms (Section 4 requirement), with higher $500 penalties for the latter. Key provisions include permitting immediate lawsuits if landlords had "actual knowledge" of violations (requiring written proof), clarifying joint lawsuits to prevent multiple $250 claims, and exempting landlords from penalties if violations stem from later court interpretations of existing laws. This directly affects renters facing illegal lease terms and landlords who may face lawsuits or fines.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens tenant remedies by enabling lawsuits for lease violations with $250-$500 penalties, directly protecting renters' rights under housing law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4994: Housing: landlord and tenants; limitations on fees charged to tenants; provide for. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 1978 PA 454 (MCL 554.632 & 554.633).

HB 4994 limits fees landlords can charge tenants under Michigan's Truth in Renting Act. It directly affects renters and landlords by prohibiting undisclosed or unreasonable fees, including processing or convenience fees for utility payments provided by third parties. The bill requires all fees (other than rent) to be clearly disclosed, reasonable, and tied to actual costs the landlord incurred. Landlords may no longer charge tenants extra for paying utilities through public utilities or third-party services. This policy change aims to prevent unexpected charges while ensuring fee transparency in rental agreements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits unreasonable landlord fees, requiring clear disclosure and tying fees to actual costs, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4993: Housing: landlord and tenants; notice requirements for early lease termination for certain victims of violence; expand. Amends sec. 1b of 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601b).

HB 4993 amends Michigan's landlord-tenant law to expand notice requirements for landlords when tenants need to terminate leases early due to certain victims of violence. It directly affects tenants who are victims of violence (such as domestic abuse) and their landlords by requiring clearer, specific written notices about termination options. The bill modifies existing law (MCL 554.601b) to ensure landlords provide tenants with detailed information on how to end a lease early without penalty due to safety concerns. This change aims to make the process more accessible and transparent for vulnerable tenants seeking to leave unsafe housing situations. The bill is currently in committee review after its introduction on September 18, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tenant protections for victims of violence by requiring landlords to provide clear written notices about early lease termination options without penalty, directly strengthening tenant rights under housing law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4996: Housing: landlord and tenants; form containing summary of tenant's rights; require the department to make available to the public. Amends sec. 57i of 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.57i).

HB 4996 requires Michigan's department to make publicly available a specific form summarizing tenant rights, as mandated by the Truth in Renting Act (1978 PA 454, MCL 554.643a). The bill directs the department to provide physical copies at its office and post the form online within 60 days of the form's creation by the state court administrative office. This affects landlords participating in the state's rent vending program and tenants who receive the form, ensuring they have clear access to their rights. The key provision is the mandated public availability of the tenant rights summary, not new restrictions on landlords or eviction protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires public access to tenant rights summary, strengthening protections under Truth in Renting Act (MCL 554.643a)90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4995: Housing: landlord and tenants; prohibition of the use of prospective tenants' credit scores as a sole deciding factor for lease eligibility and allowance for landlords to accept reusable screening reports; provide for. Amends title & sec. 1 of 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601) & adds secs. 1e, 1f, 1g & 1h.

HB 4995 prohibits Michigan landlords from using a prospective tenant's credit score as the sole factor in lease decisions. The bill allows landlords to accept "reusable screening reports" (consumer reports prepared within 45 days by the tenant at their own expense) without charging an application fee, and requires landlords to disclose screening criteria in writing before accepting an application. Landlords who decline to accept such reports may charge a $25 or less fee only if they provide the required written disclosures to applicants. This law directly affects landlords and prospective tenants in Michigan's rental housing market by changing tenant screening practices and reducing fees for applicants who provide recent credit reports.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits credit score as sole factor in leasing, protects tenants from credit-based discrimination, and enables alternative screening for fairer housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4989: Housing: landlord and tenants; provision for tenant to escrow rent when certificate is withheld pending compliance; modify. Amends sec. 130 of 1917 PA 167 (MCL 125.530). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4990'25

This bill requires landlords to place tenant rent payments into an escrow account when a safety certificate is withheld due to unresolved housing violations. It directly affects tenants in rental properties with safety hazards and landlords who fail to correct violations after being notified. The key provision suspends rent payments during the certificate withholding period, redirecting those funds to cover necessary repairs instead of going to the landlord. Tenants are not required to pay rent during this time unless the safety issue was caused by the tenant themselves. The escrow funds must be used for repairs, and any unused portion is returned to the tenant if they move out before repairs are completed.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenants by redirecting rent to repairs during safety violations instead of landlord payments, strengthening tenant rights and housing safety protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4991: Civil procedure: evictions; award for unlawful eviction; modify. Amends sec. 2918 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2918). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4985'25

HB 4991 increases damages for unlawful evictions to 3 times actual losses or $200-$2,000 per day (whichever is greater). It defines unlawful eviction as actions like changing locks without keys, cutting essential utilities (heat/water/electric), or using force to remove tenants. Landlords may legally evict only with court orders, for necessary repairs, or after following specific steps if a tenant dies (e.g., notifying next of kin and waiting 10 days). For severe violations, courts can add fines up to 10% of damages, deposited into Michigan’s housing fund. The bill applies directly to tenants and landlords in residential housing disputes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases damages for unlawful evictions, strengthening tenant protections against landlord misconduct like illegal lockouts or utility cutoffs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4990: 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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds tenant defenses against retaliatory evictions, allows rent deductions for landlord lease breaches, and limits landlord fees - directly strengthening tenant protections per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 4997: Housing: landlord and tenants; form containing summary of tenant’s rights; require the authority to make available to the public. Amends 1966 PA 346 (MCL 125.1401 - 125.1499c) by adding sec. 22e.

This bill requires Michigan's State Housing Development Authority to make a standard form summarizing tenant rights (mandated under the Truth in Renting Act) available within 60 days of its creation. The form must be accessible in the Authority's office and on its website. It directly affects renters by ensuring they can easily find their rights information without needing to contact the court. The bill does not change tenant rights but streamlines access to an existing, court-created form.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires accessible tenant rights summary, streamlining access to existing protections under Truth in Renting Act without altering rights, directly strengthening tenant information access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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