WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN - May 2009

by Don Eichstaedt, Secretary, RPOAM

LOBBYIST REPORT -

THE BOARD VOTED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING PENDING BILLS:

SB 546 (Garcia) and HB 4905 (Nathan) - modifies provision in landlord /tenant law relating to termination of lease for certain controlled substance offenders

HB 4904 (Nathan) - requires 7-day Notice to Quit for tenants who injure or threaten to injure other tenants or employees

HB 4869 (Shaltrown) - allows property managers to represent landlords in eviction proceedings

THE BOARD VOTED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING BILLS:

SB 32 & 33 (Clarke) and HB 4211(Jackson) - 90 day foreclosure notice of eviction to tenants

HB 4801 (Constant) - expands rental home inspection program to cover rental mobile homes

HB 4142 (Jackson) - bill would require the registration of certain vacant property with a $100 fee. A $1,000 fine would be imposed for not registering the property and paying the fee

HB 4251 (Jackson) - requires the placement of a container and disposal by the landlord of an evicted tenant’s property within 48 hours

HB 4024 (Hammel) - give tenant the right to be present for inventory checklist

THE BOARD DECIDED TO TAKE A NEUTRAL POSITION OF THE FOLLOWING BILLS:

SB 86 (Whitmer) - landlord notification procedure for tenant repairs and maintenance

SB 169 ( Scott) - landlord notification to tenant  within 10 days after finding out about lead in the soil

SB 185 (Garcia) - domestic violence early lease termination

SB 373 (Kahn) - to alert property owners more effectively on an assessment tax notice to increase the size of lettering on part of the notice

For current update on bills in the House and Senate, go to www.michiganlegislature.org.

LOCAL ISSUES -

BIG RAPIDS - A member won her long battle with the city over egress issues on ground floor apartment windows.

GENESEE - The association is trying a publicity ad on TV. It is on 2 times a day for 30 days at a cost of $500.00.  Correction on the previous newsletter - the city of Flint is NOT rehabbing and renting foreclosed properties in competition with the market.

GRAND RAPIDS and KENT COUNTY - The City of Wyoming is starting to inspect single family homes and have started an abandoned building program.

KALAMAZOO - They have a dynamic website; membership is increasing. They are developing a business affiliate program.

LANSING - The association had an issue with the city on snow removal.

OAKLAND - Membership has stopped falling. The city of Pontiac is in receivership due to financial problems.

Websites To Check:

RPOAM WEB SITE: http://reiawaynecounty.org/rpoam_michigan.html

Also: www.karoubassociates.com

Next RPOAM Meeting: Monday, Sept 14, 2009: LOCATION: Karoub office.