SB 19 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Housing: landlord and tenants; tenants rights to repair; provide for. Amends sec. 39 of 1846 RS 66 (MCL 554.139). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0020'25, SB 0021'25

This bill amends Michigan law (MCL 554.139) to clarify and strengthen tenant rights regarding repairs when landlords fail to maintain habitable housing. It directly affects residential tenants and landlords by allowing tenants to hire contractors to fix serious maintenance issues after providing the landlord with written notice and a reasonable time to act. The key provision establishes a clear process: if a landlord doesn't address a repair within the specified timeframe, tenants may deduct the cost of the repair (up to a set limit) from their rent. This creates a standardized, non-litigation method for resolving maintenance disputes under existing tenant protection laws.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Jun 17, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → Substitute (S-1) · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to clarify repair timelines and expand tenant protections. It adjusts deadlines for landlords to fix hazards and mold, adds a natural disaster exception, and clarifies how tenants can withhold rent or perform repairs themselves.

Scope change

The bill applies to all residential leases and licenses entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory act.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for landlords to begin repairs for non-emergency issues from 7 days to 30 days, unless the lease specifies otherwise.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific requirement for landlords to begin mold repairs within 72 hours, defining mold as visible growth excluding minor moisture accumulation.

Added a new exception allowing landlords more time to repair if a natural disaster makes compliance difficult.

Updated the rules for tenants performing their own repairs to distinguish between emergency hazards (requiring licensed estimates) and other issues (requiring any estimates).

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the definition of retaliation to explicitly include refusing to renew a lease because a tenant exercised their repair rights.

DEFINITION

Clarified that 'written notice' includes text messages, email, or paper communication.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

SUBSTITUTE (S-1) CONCURRED IN

upper

Jun 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)

upper

Jun 11, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)

upper

Jun 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1) 6/10/2025

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SARAH ANTHONY

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors