Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.536
Additional remedies; occupant's action; concurrent remedies.
Operative Text
Sec. 136. (1) When the owner of a dwelling regulated by this act permits unsafe, unsanitary or unhealthful conditions to exist unabated in any portion of the dwelling, whether a portion designated for the exclusive use and occupation of residents or a part of the common areas, where such condition exists in violation of this act, any occupant, after notice to the owner and a failure thereafter to make the necessary corrections, shall have an action against the owner for such damages he has actually suffered as a consequence of the condition. When the condition is a continuing interference with the use and occupation of the premises, the occupant shall also have injunctive and other relief appropriate to the abatement of the condition. (2) Remedies under this section shall be in addition to such other relief as may be obtained by seeking enforcement of the section authorizing suits by a local enforcement agency. The remedies shall be concurrent. When several remedies are available hereunder, the court may order any relief not inconsistent with the objectives of this act, and calculated to achieve compliance with it.
Michigan's Housing Law, MCL § 125.536, establishes that when a dwelling owner allows unsafe, unsanitary, or unhealthful conditions to persist in violation of the act—whether in private living spaces or common areas—occupants who have notified the owner and received no corrective action may sue for actual damages they suffered as a result. If the condition is ongoing and interferes with the use and enjoyment of the premises, a court may also grant injunctive relief to compel abatement. These private remedies exist alongside, and do not replace, any enforcement actions a local agency may pursue, meaning multiple legal avenues can be pursued at the same time.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 125.536, property owners regulated by Michigan's Housing Law are expected to promptly address unsafe, unsanitary, or unhealthful conditions in both private units and common areas once they receive notice from an occupant. A compliant operator generally documents all maintenance requests, responds within a reasonable timeframe, and keeps records of completed repairs to demonstrate corrective action was taken. Failure to act after receiving notice can expose an owner to civil liability for actual damages suffered by the occupant, as well as potential injunctive orders requiring abatement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.536 gives occupants the right to bring a civil lawsuit against a dwelling owner for actual damages caused by unsafe, unsanitary, or unhealthful conditions that the owner has failed to correct after receiving notice. If the problematic condition is ongoing and disrupts the use and enjoyment of the home, a court may also order injunctive relief to force the owner to fix the problem. This private right of action runs concurrently with any complaints filed through a local enforcement agency, so tenants may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand the full range of options available under this provision.
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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