Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.541a
Enforcement of judgment against other assets; lien; effectiveness; priority.
Operative Text
Sec. 141a. (1) A judgment in an action brought pursuant to section 141(7) may be enforced against assets of the owner other than the building or structure. (2) A city, village, or township shall have a lien for the amount of a judgment obtained pursuant to section 141(7) against the owner's interest in all real property located in this state that is owned in whole or in part by the owner of the building or structure against whom the judgment is obtained. A lien provided for in this section does not take effect until notice of the lien is filed or recorded as provided by law, and the lien does not have priority over prior filed or recorded liens and encumbrances.
Under MCL § 125.541a, when a court enters a judgment against a building or structure owner under the related enforcement action provision, that judgment is not limited to the specific property at issue — it can be collected from the owner's other assets as well. Additionally, the local government (city, village, or township) that obtained the judgment automatically acquires a lien against any real property the owner holds anywhere in Michigan. However, this lien only becomes effective once it is properly filed or recorded, and it does not take precedence over liens or encumbrances that were already on record before it was filed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to enforcement actions under MCL § 125.541a should be aware that a judgment obtained by a municipality under the related provision can reach beyond the cited building — it may be collected from other personal or business assets and can attach as a lien to any Michigan real estate they own. Compliant operators generally address code violations promptly to avoid judgments that could encumber their broader real estate portfolio. Keeping records of all existing liens and encumbrances on owned properties is a standard practice that helps owners understand how a new municipal lien would rank in priority.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.541a strengthens the enforcement tools available to cities, villages, and townships when pursuing judgments against non-compliant building owners, which can benefit tenants by making it more likely that a municipality can actually collect on a judgment. If a tenant believes their building is subject to unresolved code violations, they may consider contacting their local housing or code enforcement office to inquire about any pending or obtained judgments under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how municipal enforcement actions under MCL § 125.541a relate to their housing situation and what local complaint processes 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 In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation