Advocacy Update

Forrest Wall March 2021Written by HBA and AAM CEO, Forrest M. Wall, CAE

Source of Income Bills Introduced
Two pieces of legislation – both introduced recently in the Michigan House – propose to add “source of income” protections in state law. First, House Bill 4062 would amend the Landlord and Tenant Relationships Act to forbid a rental property owner from doing any of the following as it relates to source of income:

  • Deny or terminate a tenancy
  • Make any distinctions or restrictions in rental price, terms, conditions, fees, or privileges relating to the rental unit
  • Attempt to discourage the lease of any rental unit
  • Assist, induce, or coerce another person to engage in a practice violating the proposed amendment
  • Coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with rights granted under the act
  • Represent to a prospective or current resident that a unit is not available for inspection or rental when in fact it is available
  • Otherwise make unavailable or deny a unit based on source of income

    The bill goes on to mandate that a landlord shall not publish or display any notice or ad indicating a preference or requirement based on source of income, and, that a person who “suffers a loss” as a result of violation of the law may bring a court action to recover actual damages or up to 4.5 times the monthly rent of the unit, whichever is greater, along with court costs and attorney fees.

    The second bill, House Bill 4063, proposes to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. This legislation would add source of income protection to both the title and section 502 (relating to real estate transactions) of the act.

Housing Committees Announced in House & Senate
The Democratically-controlled Michigan Legislature has created new committees to take up housing issues. In the Michigan Senate, the Housing & Human Services Committee was announced on January 12. Chairing the new committee is Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and it consists of 8 Democrats and 3 Republicans. In House of Representatives, the Housing Subcommittee was established under the Economic Development and Small Business Committee. The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Kevin Coleman (D-Westland) and consists of 7 Democrats and 4 Republicans.

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