Written by Forrest Wall, CAE, Staff Vice President and Industry Relations
HUD and MSHDA To Streamline Inspections
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Gary Heidel and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials have announced a pilot program to reduce duplicate physical inspections of subsidized affordable rental housing in the state. Michigan will join Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin in the initial program, which is effective immediately. The ability of local governments to inspect will not be impacted by this program. If you have questions about this, contact Denise Patrick at MSHDA at (517) 241-2560.
Expedited Violence/Drug Eviction Bills Pass Senate
Legislation has passed the Michigan Senate allowing a property owner to recover possession of premises by summary proceedings if a person remained on the premises for seven days following service of a notice to quit after the tenant caused or threatened physical injury. Senate Bill 64 (and its companion Senate Bill 65) would also delete a requirement that the landlord file the police report alleging a drug violation in order to give a 24-hour notice to quit, but continue to require such a report be filed. The bills now head to the House Committee on Judiciary for action.
“Renovate Right” Pamphlet Revised
All landlords planning to renovate pre-1978 rental housing under the provisions of the Lead RRP Rule are advised that the EPA has a newly revised version of the “Renovate Right” pamphlet. Prior to beginning any renovation work you are required to distribute this brochure to the tenant. The pamphlet was revised in the wake of EPA being forced to back away from the proposed addition of clearance testing to the rule. Instead, the pamphlet was revised to include a post-work section which brings lead-dust testing to the attention of the recipient. To be in compliance with the law, landlords can either use the new pamphlet, or, if you have a supply of the old version you can simply print out and insert page 10, “For Property Owner: After the Work is Done.” To download a copy of the pamphlet, go to http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf.