HB 4986 Summary (Michigan, 2025)
Overview
HB 4986 would update Michigan housing law by adding protections around how and when a project management or local housing commission can terminate a tenancy or occupancy rights in housing facilities operated by local governments. It cross-references summary eviction procedures and ties the bill to HB 4985, with companion SB 470 identified.
Purpose and intent
- Strengthen tenant protections by requiring “just cause” for terminating a tenancy or occupancy rights in housing projects managed by local governments.
- Align eviction standards with existing summary eviction procedures for specific unlawful uses of housing.
- Pair with HB 4985 to take effect only if HB 4985 becomes law.
Key provisions and changes
- Amends Sec. 44a of 1933 (Ex Sess) PA 18 (MCL 125.694a). The change applies to project management or local housing commissions operating housing facilities.
- Just-cause standard for termination:
- Tenancies or occupancy rights cannot be terminated except for just cause.
- Just causes enumerated (and broadly defined) include:
- (a) Failure to comply with lease obligations or the housing commission’s lawful rules/regulations.
- (b) Use of a unit for any unlawful purpose, including purposes for which the commission may recover possession through summary proceedings under section 5714(1)(b) or 5714(2)(b) of the Revised Judicature Act (MCL 600.5714).
- (c) Maintenance of unsafe, unsanitary, or unhealthful conditions in the unit or common areas.
- Cross-reference to summary proceedings: The bill explicitly ties certain eviction grounds to the existence of summary proceedings under Michigan law, potentially broadening the leverage of the housing authorities to recover possession when unlawful use is involved.
- Enacting sections and effective date:
- Enacting section 1: The act takes effect 90 days after enactment.
- Enacting section 2: The act’s effective date is contingent on HB 4985 (House Bill No. 4985) being enacted into law.
Who is affected
- Tenants and occupants in housing facilities managed by local units of government (city, village, township, or county).
- Project management or local housing commissions administering housing facilities.
- Landlords/operating agencies within these housing projects, and the units’ common areas.
Procedural/timeline details
- Introduced: March 13, 2025 by Rep. Brenda Carter and co-sponsors.
- Status/actions:
- Read first time and referred to Regulatory Reform on September 18, 2025.
- Prior actions include filing on March 13, 2025 and an earlier first reading on April 3, 2025 with a referral to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services before the current committee assignment.
- Tie-bar: Requires enactment of HB 4985 to take effect; relates to cross-referenced provisions.
- Related legislation: Companion SB 470.
Notes
- The bill’s text in places appears truncated, but the core changes establish a just-cause framework and explicitly connect certain grounds to summary eviction procedures. The final effect depends on HB 4985 becoming law.
