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).
Impact
A key element of the bill is the provision that if a compliance certificate is withheld for more than seventy-two hours, the tenant's obligation to pay rent is suspended. This suspended rent must be paid into an escrow account until compliance is achieved. This represents a significant shift in the landlord-tenant dynamic, holding landlords accountable for maintaining safe living conditions and providing tenants with a financial safeguard while non-compliant issues are being resolved.
Summary
House Bill 5763 aims to amend Michigan's Housing Law of 1917 by modifying Section 130 concerning certificates of compliance for rental properties. The bill proposes that if a certificate is withheld pending compliance with health and safety standards, then any premises not occupied for dwelling or rooming purposes shall not be occupied. For those that have been occupied, they may be ordered vacated until re-inspection and proof of compliance are verified by the enforcing agency. This aims to ensure that all occupied properties meet health and safety standards to protect tenants.
Contention
The bill may face contention surrounding the implementation of the escrow account system. Critics might argue that it could lead to financial strain on landlords, particularly if compliance issues stem from tenant actions rather than property conditions. Supporters, however, will likely argue that it is a necessary provision to ensure that tenants are not financially penalized for landlords’ failure to maintain compliant housing conditions. Balancing landlord rights and tenant protections will likely be a point of discussion among legislators.
Voting_history
The voting history of HB5763 is yet to be detailed in the available documents but will likely reflect the divided opinions among legislators concerning housing rights and landlord responsibilities in Michigan.
Housing: landlord and tenants; certain relocation assistance for tenants in hazardous or dangerous buildings; provide for. Amends 1917 PA 167 (MCL 125.401 - 125.543) by adding sec. 130a.
Housing: landlord and tenants; termination of tenancy; establish grounds of good cause. Amends secs. 3238, 5714, 5735, 5744, 5775 & 5779 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.3238 et seq.).
Housing: landlord and tenants; reuse of certain tenant screening reports; allow. Amends title & sec. 1 of 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601) & adds secs. 1c, 1d, 1e & 1f.
Housing: landlord and tenants; reuse of certain tenant screening reports; allow. Amends title & sec. 1 of 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601) & adds secs. 1e, 1f, 1g & 1h.
Energy: building energy efficiency: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment: sale registry and compliance tracking system: compliance document data registry.
Energy: building energy efficiency: heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment sale registry and compliance tracking system: electronic statewide compliance documentation data repository.