Michigan Governor Signed New Renter Protections

The state has enacted four new laws aimed at reducing hidden rental fees and protecting healthcare access.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Apartments

Michigan Governor Signed New Renter Protections

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a package of four bipartisan bills into law to expand rights for Michigan residents. The legislation aims to lower costs for tenants while also safeguarding access to federally approved healthcare incentives.

Why it matters

The new laws seek to eliminate unnecessary financial burdens on renters and ensure that healthcare benefits remain accessible without legal barriers. These protections were designed to standardize landlord-tenant financial transactions across the state.

Senate Bill 373 mandates that landlords provide at least one fee-free rent payment method, while Senate Bill 22 authorizes security deposit refunds via electronic transfer. Senate Bill 1013 also prohibits insurance providers from pricing premiums based on a renter's price sensitivity.

The players

Gretchen Whitmer

She is the current Governor of Michigan who signed the bipartisan package into law.

The details

Under the new statutes, landlords must offer a payment option that carries no transaction fees, and they are now permitted to return security deposits through direct deposit. Additionally, Senate Bill 1052 exempts certain CMS-sponsored healthcare incentives from state anti-kickback regulations.

The state legislature passed the four bills during early June 2026.
The Michigan House of Representatives passed the legislation in late August 2026.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bills into law on September 21, 2026.

Culture Shift

This legislation aligns with broader efforts to modernize residential transactions and remove barriers to federally supported healthcare initiatives. By updating state law to match current digital payment norms, Michigan is moving away from legacy administrative requirements that previously hindered efficiency.

Renters in Michigan will now have access to at least one payment method that does not charge transaction fees, potentially saving on monthly costs. These changes also streamline the security deposit refund process by allowing landlords to utilize direct electronic transfers.

The takeaway

These new laws provide immediate legal protections that favor financial transparency in the rental market. Residents should review their current lease payment terms to ensure they are being offered a fee-free option as required by the new state mandate.