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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 5064 requires Michigan's State Court Administrative Office to create a standardized form summarizing tenant rights under key housing laws (Truth in Renting Act, Housing Law, and Revised Judicature Act) within 90 days. Landlords must attach this form to all new lease agreements and post it in common areas like hallways or laundry rooms. The form must include a clear summary of tenant rights and a list of legal resources for violations, with specific formatting (12-point bold for general rights, 14-point for domestic violence protections). This bill directly affects all residential landlords and tenants in Michigan by mandating accessible, standardized information about tenant protections.
SB 515 requires landlords of certain rental units in Michigan to install carbon monoxide detectors. It amends Michigan's housing code (MCL 554.601-554.616) by adding a new section mandating this safety device in specified properties. The bill directly affects residential landlords who manage qualifying units, such as multi-family dwellings or older buildings where carbon monoxide risks are higher. This policy change aims to enhance occupant safety by ensuring detectors are present in targeted rental housing. The bill passed the state legislature on October 23, 2025, and is now pending further legislative steps.
HB 5170 would require landlords in Michigan to transfer water bills to tenants' names upon request for metered or sub-metered rental units. Landlords must approve such requests within 120 days, ensure water costs are not included in rent payments, and cannot retaliate against tenants for making this request (e.g., by raising rent or denying lease renewals). The bill applies only to new or renewed leases after its effective date and prohibits local laws conflicting with these provisions. It directly affects tenants in covered rental units and landlords managing those properties.
