A bill to amend 1972 PA 348, entitled “An act to regulate relationships between landlords and tenants relative to rental agreements for rental units; to regulate the payment, repayment, use and investment of security deposits; to provide for commencement and termination inventories of rental units; to provide for termination arrangements relative to rental units; to provide for legal remedies; and to provide penalties,” by amending section 1b (MCL 554.601b), as added by 2010 PA 199.
This amendment specifically aims to provide protections for tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It allows these tenants to terminate their rental agreements early without penalty if they have a reasonable apprehension of present danger. To do so, tenants must provide their landlords with written notice along with acceptable documentation of their situation, such as protection orders or police reports. The bill outlines acceptable methods for delivering this notice, including certified mail, email, and personal delivery, among others. Once notice is given, the tenant's obligation to pay rent ceases no later than the fifteenth day after notice is provided, assuming the tenant vacates the premises. However, this release from the rental agreement does not apply to prepaid amounts or security deposits. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect the tenant's privacy by prohibiting landlords from disclosing the tenant's forwarding address to the alleged perpetrator. It also clarifies that the release of one tenant under these circumstances does not affect the lease obligations of any remaining tenants. This amendment applies to leases entered into, renewed, or renegotiated after October 5, 2010.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Small Business
