The bill amends the 1972 PA 348, which regulates landlord-tenant relationships, by adding new provisions that enhance the rights of prospective tenants and clarify the responsibilities of landlords. Key insertions include the requirement for landlords to provide written notices to prospective tenants regarding the information accessed for screening, criteria for application denial, and the right to obtain a free copy of any consumer report used in the decision-making process. Additionally, landlords must inform prospective tenants if they will accept reusable screening reports and cannot charge application fees if they do. The bill also prohibits landlords from using credit scores or past judicial actions without findings of liability as deciding factors in tenant eligibility.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new sections that outline the process landlords must follow when taking adverse actions against prospective tenants, including providing written notice and an opportunity for the tenant to discuss the decision. It mandates that landlords consider a tenant's current ability to pay rent and suitability for tenancy, and requires them to process rental applications in the order they are received. These changes aim to create a more transparent and fair rental application process, ultimately protecting the rights of tenants while ensuring landlords have clear guidelines to follow.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 554.601