The bill amends the existing law regulating landlord-tenant relationships in Michigan, specifically focusing on rental agreements and the processes surrounding tenant applications. Key changes include the addition of provisions that require 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. Furthermore, landlords are mandated to accept reusable screening reports from prospective tenants and cannot charge application fees if they do so. The bill also prohibits landlords from using a prospective tenant's credit score or past judicial actions without findings of liability as factors in determining eligibility for a lease.

Additional provisions outline the responsibilities of landlords when taking adverse actions against a rental application, including providing written notice and an opportunity for the tenant to discuss the decision. The bill emphasizes the importance of considering a tenant's current ability to pay rent and suitability for tenancy, and it requires landlords to process applications in the order they are received. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance transparency and fairness in the rental application process while protecting the rights of prospective tenants.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 554.601