Mich. Comp. Laws § § 37.2802
Costs of litigation.
Operative Text
Sec. 802. A court, in rendering a judgment in an action brought pursuant to this article, may award all or a portion of the costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney fees and witness fees, to the complainant in the action if the court determines that the award is appropriate.
Michigan Civil Rights Act § 37.2802 gives courts discretion to award litigation costs—including reasonable attorney fees and witness fees—to a successful complainant in a civil rights housing action. The award is not automatic; the court weighs whether it is appropriate under the circumstances of the case. This provision applies to actions brought under the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (MCL § 37.2101 et seq.).
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 37.2802, a property owner or manager who is found liable in a civil rights housing action may be ordered to pay not only damages but also the complainant's attorney fees and witness fees. Operators who maintain clear, consistently applied non-discriminatory policies and document their housing decisions generally reduce exposure to such claims. Understanding that fee-shifting is a potential outcome in litigation under MCL § 37.2101 et seq. is an important part of managing legal risk in rental operations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 37.2802 provides that a court may order the opposing party to pay your litigation costs, including attorney fees and witness fees, if you prevail in a civil rights housing action under MCL § 37.2101 et seq. This fee-shifting provision can make it more practical to pursue a valid civil rights claim even when upfront legal costs are a concern. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can explain how this provision has been applied and what general enforcement paths—such as filing a complaint or pursuing a court action—may be available.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation