PHOTO: State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) delivers remarks on Sept. 18, 2025, during the Tenants’ Rights press conference; from left to right: state Reps. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) and Kara Hope (D-Holt).

▩ Press Release

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 18, 2025 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) joined colleagues and advocates today to announce a Tenants’ Rights legislative package of 17 bills designed to modernize Michigan’s landlord-tenant laws, reduce unnecessary evictions and strengthen renters’ protections.

“Michigan’s tenants’ rights laws have not kept pace with reality,” said O’Neal, who is sponsoring bills to extend the time tenants have to catch up on rent from one week to two weeks, prohibit junk and hidden fees and preserve the duty of landlords to maintain habitable housing.

“This package of bills updates those laws to make sure the policies work for Michigan families. If I could sum up this package in a single phrase, it is this: we are working to reduce evictions in Michigan. We are giving renters fair notice and reasonable time to pay their rent, protecting them from surprise penalties and holding landlords accountable for maintaining safe and affordable homes. By doing so, we promote the stability and fairness that benefits everyone,” O’Neal added.

The package introduces several key reforms to strengthen tenant protections and ensure fair housing practices. Among other bills, it creates a burden-shifting process to require timely repairs and empowers courts to reduce rent or award damages when landlords fail to fix unsafe conditions. It also waives rent obligations when a property loses its certificate of compliance due to safety hazards, increases penalties for illegal lockouts and reworks the process for survivors of domestic violence or stalking to safely end their leases. Other measures include modernizing the security deposit process by requiring faster returns and allowing electronic communications, while also updating the tenant application screening process to curb discriminatory practices and reduce application costs.

“No Michigander should have to live in fear of losing their home because of outdated laws,” said state Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), who is sponsoring bills to modernize the security deposit process by cutting the return window from 30 to 15 days, requiring a landlord to obtain a court order to withhold a security deposit, and updating the tenant application and screening rules to ensure fairness for renters.

“This legislation is about fairness and basic decency. Whether you are a senior on a fixed income or a family with children, everyone deserves to know their rights and to live in a safe, stable home. By requiring timely repairs, banning hidden fees and giving people clear information about their rights, we ensure landlords and tenants alike live up to their obligations. This is not partisan; it’s about protecting our neighbors and strengthening our communities,” Carter stated.

“Too often, confusing housing rules leave renters vulnerable,” said state Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), a sponsor of bills requiring a universal tenants’ rights form to be made public and distributed with every lease.

“I believe the law should give people clarity and dignity. That’s why we’re creating a universal tenants’ rights form and pushing for transparency in the rental process. Now any renter can easily find out their legal rights and resources. We’re also giving tenants a second chance by sealing certain eviction filings, so a past difficult situation won’t ruin their future. These changes honor the principle that justice in housing means everyone understands their rights and responsibilities, and everyone gets a fair shake in our system,” Hoskins concluded.

Other sponsors of the bill package include state Reps. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), Kara Hope (D-Holt), Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe), Natalie Price (D-Berkley), Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods), Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) and Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti).

The package will be formally introduced in the coming weeks. Lawmakers say the reforms will help keep families in safe homes, prevent homelessness and create more stable housing and communities across Michigan.

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