MI SB0801

Court shall automatically seal records of summary proceedings (evictions) upon commencement until a judgment for possession is entered for the plaintiff.

Court may seal records after judgment for possession is entered if conditions are met, including: premises sold after mortgage/land contract foreclosure, plaintiff received emergency rental assistance to pay judgment, proceedings filed during COVID-19 state of emergency, parties agreed to seal, defendant fulfilled judgment terms, or judgment was for nonpayment of rent under $900.

Court shall automatically expunge eviction records 2 years after a judgment for possession becomes final.

Sealed records may be released for scholarly, educational, journalistic, or governmental purposes under data use agreements that prohibit re-release of personally identifiable information and require data security procedures; tenant name and address cannot be disclosed without court approval.

Housing providers who intentionally take adverse action (denying rental application or imposing unfavorable terms) based on sealed eviction records are liable for actual damages or $500 minimum, attorney fees, and equitable relief.