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HB 6088

Labor: collective bargaining; tenants right to organize; provide for. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Erin Byrnes and 13 co-sponsors

Creates a statutory right for tenants to form and operate a tenant union, with protections against landlord interference and remedies for violations.

bill electronically reproduced 06/16/2026
#housing:landlordandtenants #labor:collectivebargaining
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Bill Summary · HB 6088

Summary of HB 6088 (2025-2026) – Michigan

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a statutory right for tenants to organize a tenant union within residential rental premises.
  • Prohibits certain landlord conduct and provides remedies, penalties, and enforcement mechanisms to protect the rights of tenants and tenant organizers.

Key definitions ( Sec. 3 )

  • Common area: Areas generally accessible to all tenants (e.g., hallways, stairs, laundry, recreational rooms, playgrounds, community centers, garages, fences).
  • Landlord: Defined as in Michigan statute governing rental relationships.
  • Rental agreement / Rental unit / Tenant: Standard commercial definitions for residential leases and occupancy.
  • Tenant organizer: A person who assists tenants in organizing/operating a tenant union and is not an employee/representative of the landlord.
  • Tenant union: A union formed by tenants that allows:
    • Self-organization
    • Joining, meeting, and helping one another
    • Meetings with a landlord via representatives chosen by tenants
    • Engaging in concerted activities for mutual aid and protection, or choosing to refrain
    • Promulgating rules governing the union’s activities

Rights and powers of tenant unions (Sec. 5)

Starting on the act’s effective date, tenants may form and participate in a tenant union with the following capabilities:
- Distribute literature in common areas and place literature at tenants’ doors.
- Post information on bulletin boards within the rental premises.
- Assist tenants in participating in union activities.
- Convene tenant meetings at reasonable times/locations accessible to tenants (includes common areas, individual units with consent, etc.). Allow electronic attendance if a majority of union tenants consent.
- The landlord may not attend or audio-record meetings without majority tenant consent.
- Formulate responses to landlord actions (e.g., rent or rent ceiling changes, proposed changes).
- Propose modifications to facilities and services.
- Engage in other activities reasonably related to establishing/operating the union.
- Collect tenant union dues.

Tenant organizers and canvassing (Sec. 7)

  • Tenants may hire a tenant organizer to form a tenant union.
  • Canvassing rights for organizers in multifamily premises:
    • If there is a written policy allowing canvassing, a non-tenant organizer has the same access as other outside parties.
    • If no written policy exists, the premises are treated as allowing canvassing.
    • If a consistently enforced written policy against canvassing exists, a non-tenant organizer must be accompanied by a tenant while canvassing; the non-tenant organizer retains the same access rights as invited outside parties.

Prohibited landlord conduct and enforcement (Sec. 9)

  • Landlords may not:
    • Interfere with tenants’ rights or with organizers under this act.
    • Threaten, penalize, discriminate against, or retaliate against tenants exercising rights (examples include delaying maintenance, revoking access to amenities, or other frivolous adverse actions).
    • Interfere with or delay enforcement/investigation of violations of the act.
  • Remedies for violations:
    • Civil fine up to $1,000 per violation.
    • Injunctive relief.
    • Reasonable attorney fees.
  • Enforcement: The attorney general, a tenant, or a tenant organizer may sue in a court of competent jurisdiction (county where defendant resides or conducts business).

Severability (Sec. 11)

  • If any provision is found invalid, the remainder remains in effect to the extent it can operate independently.

Procedural/Timeline notes

  • Effective date is the date the act becomes law (no explicit future date given in the text excerpt).
  • Bill introduced and referred to the Government Operations Committee (as of the current action history).

Potential impact

  • Creates a recognized framework for tenant unions and organized tenant activity within residential buildings.
  • Expands tenant-side organizing rights, including literature distribution, meetings, dues collection, and formal interaction with landlords.
  • Establishes clear prohibitions against landlord retaliation and provides monetary and equitable remedies to enforce compliance.
  • Affects landlords and property management practices by requiring accommodation for tenant organizers and limiting surveillance and interference during union-related activities.

Who is affected

  • Tenants in residential rental premises.
  • Tenant organizers and the organizations forming tenant unions.
  • Landlords and on-site property managers in multifamily and other rental properties.
  • Local and state authorities responsible for enforcement (attorney general; courts).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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