Rep. Jimmie Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 4985 amends Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to establish clear "good cause" grounds for terminating a tenancy, directly affecting landlords and tenants across the state. The bill requires landlords to follow specific procedures when a tenant dies, including notifying the public administrator and attempting to contact an authorized person before reentering the property after 10 days. It also defines unlawful interference by landlords, such as changing locks without providing keys or cutting essential utilities like heat or electricity, which could lead to tenant legal claims. These changes aim to balance tenant protections with clearer eviction rules for landlords.

Maddy summaryHB 4983 modifies Michigan's eviction timeline by extending the waiting period before a landlord can remove a tenant after a court judgment. It increases the standard waiting period from 10 to 14 days for most evictions, and adds a longer 90-day or 6-month waiting period (depending on payment progress) when evicting tenants who failed to pay for a home purchase contract. The bill also clarifies that tenants can stop eviction by paying the owed amount plus costs within the waiting period. This directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords seeking possession under the Revised Judicature Act.

Maddy summaryHB 4982 amends Michigan's landlord-tenant law (MCL 554.134) by increasing the notice period landlords must provide to tenants for nonpayment of rent from 7 days to 14 days. This change directly affects tenants who miss rent payments and landlords seeking to terminate leases for that reason. The bill modifies Section 34(2), requiring written notice that gives tenants 14 days to pay overdue rent before eviction proceedings can begin. Other termination notice periods (e.g., for lease violations or holdover) remain unchanged. The bill was introduced in September 2025 and referred to the Regulatory Reform Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4986 updates tenant protection rules for housing projects managed by city, village, township, or county commissions. It specifically adds "using a unit for any unlawful purpose" (like drug activity) as a valid reason for landlords to end tenancies, aligning with existing court procedures for quick evictions under Michigan law. This directly affects tenants in publicly funded housing programs operated by local governments. The bill clarifies that landlords can only terminate leases for specific, documented reasons like lease violations or unsafe conditions, not arbitrarily. It requires another related bill (HB 4985) to pass first before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 4984 changes how eviction court records are handled in Michigan. For most eviction cases, court records remain private until a judge rules in favor of the landlord, then become public for two years before automatically returning to private status. However, if the eviction was based on serious issues like drug activity, health hazards, violence, or illegal entry, records stay public for three years. The bill also strictly limits sharing private records - allowing access only for research or journalism with court approval, while protecting tenant names and personal details. This directly affects tenants by increasing privacy around eviction history, particularly for non-serious cases.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 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.