MI HB5069

Prohibits owners from unlawfully interfering with a tenant's possessory interest through force, property removal, lock changes, boarding, or essential service termination, with damages of $200 minimum or actual damages, whichever is greater.

Establishes exceptions allowing owners to interfere with possession when acting under court order, making necessary repairs, believing in good faith the tenant abandoned the premises with unpaid rent, or following specific procedures after believing the tenant is deceased for 18+ days.

Requires owners attempting to enter after tenant death to notify an authorized contact person, post notice on the door, contact the county public administrator, and wait 10 days before re-entry to allow probate estate opening.

Permits owners to forcibly enter premises only when the occupant obtained possession through forcible entry, holds by force, or came in by trespass without legal possessory interest, excluding conduct prohibited by Michigan penal code chapter XI.

Sets statute of limitations at 90 days for possession recovery actions and 1 year for damage claims; effective September 24, 2014.