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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed four bipartisan bills affecting Michigan renters, including measures requiring fee-free rent payment options and allowing security deposits to be returned electronically.
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Multiple bills have been signed into law that will affect Michigan renters.
Yesterday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed four bipartisan bills that require landlords to offer a way for tenants to pay without an added fee, modify the definition of kickbacks to protect medical incentives, and prohibit insurance companies from using unfair pricing models to charge customers different rates for factors out of their control.
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“There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to pay a bill online only for companies to raise the price at the last second with additional fees,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michiganders deserve affordable systems that work for them. That’s why I’m proud to sign these bipartisan bills that stop insurance companies from using unfair pricing models, protect medical benefits, and keep Michigan renters from having to pay unnecessary fees on their monthly bills.
Here are the four bills and what they do:
Senate Bill 373, sponsored by state Senator Cavanagh, requires that all rental agreements must have at least one method of paying rent that does not impose an extra fee, protecting renters against mandatory junk fees or surcharges. The act establishes rights and obligations for parties to rental agreements and requires rental agreements to comply with its provisions. Rental agreements are prohibited from including certain provisions that waive tenant rights, impose unfair legal or financial burdens or relieve a landlord’s duty to mitigate damages, among other things.
Senate Bill 373 was co-sponsored by four other Democrats. It passed the Michigan Senate 24-12 on July 3 and the Michigan House 99-5 on Aug. 25.
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Senate Bill 22, sponsored by state Senator Anthony, allows the return of a security deposit by electronic transfer through direct deposit or the internet. This change makes it easier for renters to get their deposits back from landlords.
The notice of damages would not have to be accompanied by a check if the landlord sent the difference between the damages claimed and the security deposit to the tenant through direct deposit, electronic transfer or an internet or mobile payment account or application.
A landlord using one of those electronic payment methods would have to send the amount owed to the tenant within 10 days of mailing the notice of damages. Senate Bill 22 was passed by the Michigan Senate 36-0 on July 3, 2026. It passed the Michigan House 104-0 on Aug. 25.
Senate Bill 1013, sponsored by state Senator Moss, prohibits insurance companies from setting rates based on a customer’s willingness to pay more.
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This bill codifies a Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services 2024 bulletin and protects Michigan ratepayers from this practice.
Senate Bill 1052, sponsored by state Senator Chang, modifies the definition of kickbacks or bribes to specify that model arrangements and model patient incentives sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would not be considered a kickback or bribe.
This bill is aimed at preventing Michigan’s anti-kickback statute from unintentionally blocking beneficiaries from receiving federally approved patient supports, such as fertility preservation, travel assistance, and care coordination.
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