Mich. Comp. Laws § § 37.2102
Recognition and declaration of civil right; action arising out of discrimination based on sex or familial status.
Operative Text
Sec. 102. (1) The opportunity to obtain employment, housing and other real estate, and the full and equal utilization of public accommodations, public service, and educational facilities without discrimination because of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, familial status, or marital status as prohibited by this act, is recognized and declared to be a civil right. (2) This section does not prevent an individual from bringing or continuing an action arising out of sex discrimination before July 18, 1980 for a claim based on conduct similar to or identical to harassment. (3) This section does not prevent an individual from bringing or continuing an action arising out of discrimination based on familial status before June 29, 1992 for a claim based on conduct similar to or identical to discrimination because of the age of anyone residing with the individual bringing or continuing the action.
Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, at MCL § 37.2102, formally recognizes the right to obtain housing and real estate free from discrimination on a broad list of characteristics, including race, religion, sex, age, familial status, sexual orientation, and several others. The provision also preserves the ability of individuals to pursue older claims—those rooted in sex discrimination before July 1980 or familial-status discrimination before June 1992—under the standards that applied at the time. In effect, the law treats equal access to housing as a civil right, not merely a policy preference.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under MCL § 37.2102 are generally expected to apply consistent, non-discriminatory criteria across all aspects of renting or selling housing—covering a notably wide range of protected characteristics, including height, weight, gender identity or expression, and marital status, in addition to more commonly known categories. Compliant operators typically review their advertising, application screening, and lease terms to ensure none of those characteristics drives a housing decision. Awareness of the provision's historical reach—including preserved claims from before 1980 and 1992—is relevant when evaluating older records or practices.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under MCL § 37.2102, Michigan law recognizes your right to seek housing without facing discrimination based on a wide array of characteristics, and that right is enforceable as a civil right. If you believe a landlord has violated this provision, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights or raising the violation as a defense or claim in civil proceedings. Individuals with older claims—particularly those involving sex discrimination before July 1980 or familial-status discrimination before June 1992—may also have preserved rights worth exploring with a tenant-rights organization familiar with MCL § 37.2102.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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