WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 2007
by Don Eichstaedt, Secretary, RPOAM

LEGISLATIVE ACTION in LANSING

We are working on the following bills:

Water Affidavit - Provides for the use of an affidavit making the tenant responsible for the water bill; water bill cannot be put on owner’s taxes.
HB 5430 (Rep. Sak, Grand Rapids)
STATUS; Pending

Inspection Bill revision to allow cities to increase the time between inspections from a maximum of 3 years up to 6 years. HB 5206 (Rep. Sak, Grand Rapids)
STATUS:  pending - No opposition as yet

Forwarding Address Bill - Requires departing tenant to send his forwarding address by certified/registered mail. HB 4394 (Rep. Steil, Grand Rapids)
Status: Pending - A tenant’s advocacy group has expressed concerns and has suggested language changes

Foreclosure Notice - This legislation would require a provision in a rental agreement that “ landlord shall notify a tenant of any foreclosure actions being taken against the property at least 30 days before the property is foreclosed on. HB 5532 (Rep. Shanelle Jackson, Detroit).
STATUS: RPOAM Board members had some concern about the timing of “the 30 days before the property was foreclosed on”. Referred to the Grand Rapids attorney for review.

Scrap Metal Sale - Bill to Control Scrap Metal Sales
STATUS: Drafted - Karoub Associates is currently working with the Senator’s office to setup a working group with all interested parties on this topic. (Sen. Gleason, Flint)

PLANNING FOR 2008

A planning session was held to determine our legislative and other priorities for the coming year. The initial listing in order of priority was:
1) increasing membership and property taxes (tied)
3 ) evictions and shorter evictions,
4 ) greater tenant responsibility and city inspections (tied),
6 ) increase security deposit,
7 ) representing LLC in court,
8 ) scrap metal sales,
9 ) defining abandonment
10 ) water affidavit

Next month we will expand on each of these items in detail.

Any association that has any input on these issues (or any other issues) please come to the January 14, 2008 meeting at Karoub Associates office in Lansing (or send an email to our Executive Director Clay Powell: clayp@rpoaonline.org; tel: 616-454-3385.

Websites To Check:

RPOAM WEBSITE: Check at:http://reiawaynecounty.org/rpoam_michigan.html
Also: www.karoubassociates.com
Also: www.michiganlegislature.org

Next RPOAM Meeting: Monday, January 14 , 2008 at Karoub and Associates Office, 121 W. Allegan St, Lansing, Michigan at 12:00 PM