LANSING, Mich. (June 6, 2024) – Today, Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) introduced Senate Bills 900–903, known as the Tenant Empowerment Package.
These bills would protect tenants’ rights and tighten up Michigan law to ensure all renters have the tools they need to fight for those rights. The bills enshrine the right to repair into law to guarantee that landlords provide safe housing and make timely repairs. If landlords fail to initiate repairs promptly, tenants would be allowed to deduct repair costs from their rent. The bills also ensure transparency and fairness in lease agreements by requiring adequate notice for rent increases and preventing landlords from using lease language to eliminate tenants’ rights to repair or their right to organize.
“These bills will have a real impact on urban and rural communities across Mid-Michigan and in every corner of the state,” said Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing). “In the greater Lansing region alone, there are over 600 homes and apartments that are red-tagged — some for more than 20 years. This reflects a failure in current practices of maintaining basic housing standards and tenant rights. It’s time we took action to empower Michigan’s renters, to uplift their voices, and to ensure people feel secure in their own homes.”
William Lawrence, state coordinator for Rent is Too Damn High, has been working with coalition members on housing reform for years. This coalition has over 40 endorsing organizations who work to uplift and promote tenants across the state.
“We are glad to see Sen. Anthony introduce these bills to protect tenants’ rights to organize and make essential repairs to their homes,” said Mr. Lawrence. “Both chambers should pass these bills and send them to the governor’s desk this summer.”
More than a quarter of Michiganders are renters but lack basic legal protections to ensure safe and affordable living conditions. Sen. Anthony believes that every Michigander deserves the right to a safe and dignified living space they can call home. These bills are the first steps Sen. Anthony, and her Democratic colleagues, are taking to address these issues and enshrine the rights of renters and tenants in Michigan’s state law.
SBs 900-903 have been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services for further consideration.