The bill amends the 1972 PA 348, which regulates landlord-tenant relationships, by introducing new provisions aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness in the rental application process. Key insertions include the requirement for landlords to provide prospective tenants with written information regarding the screening process, 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 applicants whether they will accept reusable screening reports and cannot charge application fees if they do. The bill also prohibits landlords from using a prospective tenant's credit score as the sole factor for lease eligibility and mandates that landlords make decisions on applications within 14 days.

Furthermore, the bill establishes new definitions, such as "prospective tenant" and "reusable screening report," and outlines the obligations of landlords when taking adverse actions against applicants. Landlords must provide written notice of adverse actions, including the reasons for denial and any relevant information from consumer reports. The bill also emphasizes the importance of considering a tenant's current ability to pay rent and suitability for tenancy, while requiring landlords to process applications in the order they are received. Overall, these amendments aim to create a more equitable rental market by ensuring that prospective tenants are treated fairly and informed throughout the application process.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 554.601