Housing (Renters)

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate Oct 23, 2025

SB 515: Housing: other; requirement for certain rental units to be equipped with a carbon monoxide device; provide for. Amends 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601 - 554.616) by adding sec. 1e.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequiring carbon monoxide detectors in rental units directly enhances tenant safety, a key aspect of tenant protection under housing policies. The bill explicitly mandates this safety measure for qualifying properties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Nov 4, 2025

HB 5170: Housing: landlord and tenants; right for water bill to be in tenant's name; provide for. Amends 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601 - 554.616) by adding sec. 1f.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to transfer water bills to tenants, reducing rent burden and preventing retaliation, strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Nov 5, 2025

SB 253: Housing: landlord and tenants; right for water and sewer bill to be in tenant's name; provide for. Amends 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601 - 554.616) by adding sec. 1f.

SB 253 requires landlords to provide tenants in single-metered rental units (not part of multifamily properties) with the option to have water and sewer bills sent directly to both the tenant and landlord. It prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who make this request, including eviction, rent increases, or denying lease renewals. The law applies only to new or renewed leases after its effective date and does not override federal housing laws. Tenants in these units gain direct access to their utility billing information, while landlords must comply with the new notification requirement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects tenant rights by requiring landlord billing transparency and prohibiting retaliation for utility billing requests, directly strengthening tenant protections in housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5272: Individual income tax: property tax credit; credit for disabled veteran or widow or widower of disabled veteran who rents or leases a homestead; provide for and exclude from cap. Amends secs. 522 & 530 of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206. 522 & 206.530). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5275'25

HB 5272 proposes to create a new property tax credit for disabled veterans and surviving spouses (widows/widowers) of disabled veterans who rent or lease a home in Michigan. It amends Michigan’s income tax law to add this credit and specifically exclude it from the state’s income tax cap. This would directly benefit qualifying renters who are disabled veterans or surviving spouses, providing them with a tax reduction they currently cannot access under existing rules. The bill does not change other tax credits or the overall tax structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for disabled veterans/renters, providing direct tax relief excluded from cap, aligning with support indicators for lower-income tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit for disabled veteran renters, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for vulnerable renters.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates tax credit for disabled veterans & surviving spouses, expanding financial benefits for renters who previously couldn't access property tax credits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track