Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.537
Common law rights retained.
Operative Text
Sec. 137. The enumeration of rights of action under this article shall not limit or derogate rights of action at common law.
Section 137 of MCL § 125.401 et seq. (§ 125.537) establishes that the statutory rights and remedies created by this article exist alongside, and do not replace or diminish, any rights that already exist under common law. In other words, a person is not limited to only the remedies spelled out in the statute — traditional legal claims rooted in common law remain fully available. The provision functions as a savings clause, preserving the broader legal landscape that existed before the statute was enacted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 125.537, property owners and managers should be aware that compliance with the statutory framework does not automatically shield them from common law claims such as negligence, nuisance, or breach of contract. Operators who follow only the minimum statutory requirements may still face liability under legal theories that predate or exist independently of this article. Consulting with legal counsel about the full range of potential exposure — both statutory and common law — is a practice generally associated with well-managed operations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.537 preserves tenants' common law rights, meaning that the remedies listed in this article are not the only legal avenues available. Tenants who believe they have been harmed may have additional claims — such as breach of the implied warranty of habitability or negligence — that exist independently of the statute. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help individuals understand what common law options may be relevant to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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