1 Feb 2009
WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN - January 2009
by Don Eichstaedt, Secretary, RPOAM
GREAT NEWS! - Our 2 proposed bills on controlling scrap metal sales and lengthening the maximum possible time between inspections - HAVE PASSED!
SCRAP METAL CONTROL (SB 720, HB-5694 & 6181) This package of laws requires the scrap dealer to obtain from the seller the following: valid ID, thumb print and statement as to where the scrap came from. The dealer must maintain records, tag the material, hold it for 7 days (under certain conditions) and pay the seller by a method capable of being traced. cash payment over $50.00 is not allowed; nor is any cash payment allowed on copper scrap. The dealer must obtain a license from his local government. The penalties for violation (a felony) can be up to 5 years and $5,000 fine.
INSPECTION BILL - SB 635 allows a local government unit to provide by ordinance that the maximum period between inspections may be increased from 3 years to 6 for a property that had no violations on its last inspection, and that ownership had not changed in the 6 year period. The new law also allows the government unit to accept HUD inspections instead of doing their own inspections.
This law applies only to multi-family buildings and rooming houses in cities with a population over 100,000, and cities in an area of over 100,000. This law does not apply to SFH and 2 family buildings in cities under 100,000, unless adopted by the smaller government unit.
SMALL CLAIMS LIMIT INCREASES (SB 786) - The limit is increased on the following schedule: beginning July 1, 2009 up to $4,000, beg. July 1, 2010 up to $4500 and beg. July 1, 2011 up to $5,000.
LEGISLATION PENDING
SB 343 & 356, HB 4054 & 6148 - Prohibits financial institutions, mortgage brokers and lenders from promoting inflated appraisals.
STATUS: waiting for governors signature
HB 6321 - would allow a property owner or property manager to represent a LLC or other entity in District Court up to the small claims limit
STATUS: workgroup
SB 100 - Domestic Abuse - would allow a victim of domestic violence to cancel the lease and move out.
STATUS: we oppose this bill as written - work group to address issue: who decides it is domestic abuse?
HB 6548 Flood Notification - requires landlord to notify tenant if the property is in a flood area, makes L/L liable for tenant losses if the notification is not given.
STATUS: still pending - WE OPPOSE
HB 5532 - requires landlord to notify tenant if mortgage payments are 90 days passed due
STATUS: pending - we had much discussion on this proposal.
House Joint Resolution (HJR-3) - would stop tax increases on properties going down in value.
STATUS: resolution
There are 40 new legislators now in Lansing - now learning the budget process.
It appears that state deficit will be about $1.6 billion!
LOCAL ISSUES -
BIG RAPIDS - The city is adopting the current International Property Maintenance Code. One member is still fighting the Fire Dept/Inspector over the size of below ground windows in an apartment building.
GRAND RAPIDS - They are getting the Building Dept. to do much of their business by email instead of paper, thus saving paper, time and money!
The association is making progress working with the Building Dept. They were able to get the Dept. to adopt the use of Comment Cards which are given to customers of the department to rate the quality of the service received.
LANSING - The association is growing some, gaining members by word of mouth.
Websites To Check:
Next RPOAM Meeting: Monday, March 9, 2009 at Karoub and Associates Office, 121 W. Allegan St, Lansing, Michigan at 12:00 PM
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