The Paletz Law Blog

Legislative Update: Michigan Senate Again Discussing Tenant Empowerment Package and Landlords Begin Pursuing COVID-era Eviction Moratorium Compensation

July 1st, 2025 | By: Paletz Law Press

Tenant Empowerment Package Continues to Be Heard
by the Michigan Senate

Tenant-friendly legislators in the Michigan Senate are again considering Senate Bills 19 and 20 in an effort to change the state’s housing laws. This effort began over a year ago and now includes the updated 2025 proposed legislation re-introduced in January. The bills are designed to allow renters in Michigan to demand repairs to appliances and hazardous conditions under a set timeline. 

Introduced by noted tenant advocate, Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, the bills would punish landlords or property owners if the stated repairs are not made by a set, yet undetermined, time period where renters can withhold rent payments until the repairs are completed. Tenants would also be allowed to make repairs themselves and deduct the expenses from their rent. 

The bills are part of a four-bill package called the “Tenant Empowerment Package” sponsored by Anthony. It has been kicking around for multiple Senate Sessions but was approved by the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee last month. The measures are reportedly scheduled to be voted on by the full Senate, but no time period has been offered to do so.  

Paletz Law will continue discussing the impact of these bills on landlords with state legislators who are friendly to the negative consequences to property owners.  

U.S. Court of Appeals Gives Landlord
COVID Reimbursement New Life

This summer, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that landlords may continue to pursue claims against the U.S. Government for losses caused by COVID-19 Rent Moratoriums. 

While the government has indicated it will appeal this decision, details are now being discussed regarding what type of compensation landlords and property owners would be eligible for.  We don’t have to tell you this is a potentially momentous court decision for many of you who suffered financially during the pandemic. 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected the prior administration’s attempt to dismiss landlord compensation claims, leaving the door open for landlords and property owners to pursue claims against the federal government, unless the Supreme Court intervenes.

The case results from the CDC’s nationwide residential eviction moratorium implemented during COVID-19. When the ban ended in September 2021, Darby Development Company in South Carolina and 37 other property owners sued the federal government, claiming financial losses suffered during the moratoriums constituted an unconstitutional taking under the Fifth Amendment’s takings clause.

Initially dismissed by a lower court, the case was revived when a three-judge appellate panel reversed the decision in August 2024. The government’s appeal for a full court rehearing was later denied, allowing the lawsuit to proceed. 

Paletz Law will continue to follow these developments and update you on any court or legislative activity regarding these important decisions.