This bill amends the existing law regulating landlord-tenant relationships in Michigan, specifically addressing the rights of tenants who face domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It establishes that a tenant who has a reasonable apprehension of present danger to themselves or their child due to such circumstances must be released from their rental agreement obligations upon providing written notice and documentation of their situation. The bill specifies that this notice can be submitted through various methods, including certified mail, email, or personal delivery, and outlines the types of documentation that can substantiate the tenant's claim, such as protection orders or police reports.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the tenant's obligation to pay rent ends no later than the fifteenth day after the notice is given, and it emphasizes that the release from the rental agreement does not apply to prepaid amounts like first and last month's rent. The bill also includes provisions to protect the tenant's forwarding address information from being disclosed to the individual causing the apprehension. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the protections available to tenants facing threats of violence, ensuring they can seek relief from their rental obligations without undue burden.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 554.601