Housing: landlord and tenants; form containing summary of tenant's rights; require the department to make available to the public. Amends sec. 57i of 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.57i).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Conlin and 15 co-sponsors

The bill requires landlords in the rent-vending program to certify habitable, disease-free units and authorizes suspending participation for hazards or tax delinquencies, protectin

bill electronically reproduced 09/18/2025

#housing:landlordandtenants #stateagencies(existing):healthandhumanservices

Purpose

HB 4996 amends section 57i of the Social Welfare Act to (1) require landlords/providers who participate in the state's rent vendoring program to certify minimum health and habitability conditions for dwelling units, (2) authorize the department to suspend a landlord's participation when hazardous housing code violations or certain tax delinquencies occur, (3) protect tenants from eviction solely because of such suspensions, and (4) require the department to make the "truth in renting" summary form available in-office and online.

Key provisions

Certification requirement: A landlord or housing provider participating in the department's rent vendoring program must certify that the dwelling unit:

does not have conditions that would facilitate the spread of a communicable disease (as defined in the Public Health Code, MCL 333.5101);
is fit for human habitation; and
is not dangerous to life or health due to defects or lack of repair in drainage, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, or heating.

Suspension for hazardous violations: If an enforcing agency notifies the department of a housing-code violation that constitutes a health or safety hazard, the department must terminate the landlord's participation in the rent vendoring program for that dwelling unit until the violation is corrected.

Tax-related suspension: The department must terminate participation if the landlord is delinquent on property taxes or the property's title reverts to the state due to tax foreclosure.

Tenant eviction protection: A landlord may not evict an occupant solely because the landlord's participation in the rent vendoring program was terminated under the health/safety or tax provisions. Tenants evicted in violation can sue for treble damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees.

Truth in Renting form availability: Within 60 days after the State Court Administrative Office creates the Truth in Renting Act section 4a form, the department must have copies in its office and make the form easily accessible on its website. The bill defines “form” by reference to MCL 554.643a.

Who is affected

Landlords and housing providers participating in the state's rent vendoring program (i.e., where the department vendors rent payments).

Tenants/occupants of those dwelling units (gains eviction protections and access to renting information).

Enforcing agencies and the department (responsibilities to notify/suspend and to distribute the Truth in Renting form).

Procedural/timeline notes

The bill text includes an enactment condition tying its effectiveness to the enactment of House Bill No. ____ (request no. H02179'25).

Legislative history in the provided record shows HB 4996 was passed by both chambers in May 2025, sent to the Governor May 26, 2025, signed June 20, 2025, and listed as effective September 1, 2025. (If the conditional enactment clause applied, actual effect depends on the companion bill’s enactment.)

Potential impacts

Strengthens habitability certification and accountability for landlords receiving state-vended rent.

Provides tenants with specific protection against eviction tied solely to administrative termination of vendor payments and a private right of action with treble damages.

Gives the department an administrative enforcement lever (suspension) to address hazardous conditions and tax delinquency.

Improves public access to the Truth in Renting summary via the department’s offices and website.

Bill