Michigan Statewide Ban on Local Rent Control Ordinances

Michigan Public Act 226 of 1988, codified at MCL 123.411, expressly prohibits any local unit of government from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance or resolution that controls the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential property. The statute was passed to ensure a uniform statewide rental market and applies to homes, apartments, and mobile home lots. The only narrow exception covers temporary emergency rent regulations during a declared housing emergency. Tenants and landlords therefore negotiate rent freely, subject only to standard contract and fair-housing laws. Local proposals attempting to cap rents, limit increases, or impose vacancy controls are void on enactment.

Local rent control ordinances are void and unenforceable; landlords may sue to invalidate them.