Mich. Comp. Laws § § 554.601c
Prohibition on the distinction, discrimination, or restriction based on source of income of tenant.
Operative Text
Sec. 1c. (1) A landlord shall not, based on the source of income of an otherwise eligible prospective or current tenant, do any of the following: (a) Deny or terminate a tenancy to the prospective or current tenant. (b) Make any distinction, discrimination, or restriction against the prospective or current tenant in the price, terms, conditions, fees, or privileges relating to the rental, lease, or occupancy of a rental unit or in the furnishing of any facilities or services in connection with the rental, lease, or occupancy of the rental unit. (c) Otherwise make unavailable or deny any rental unit to the prospective or current tenant if the prospective or current tenant would be eligible to rent the rental unit but for the individual's source of income. (d) Represent to the prospective tenant that a rental unit is not available for inspection, rental, or lease when in fact it is so available, or knowingly fail to bring a rental listing to the prospective tenant's attention, or refuse to permit the prospective tenant to inspect a rental unit. (e) Make any distinction, discrimination, or restriction against the prospective or current tenant in the price, terms, conditions, fees, or privileges relating to the rental, lease, or occupancy of any rental unit on the basis of the prospective or current tenant's use of emergency rental assistance. (f) If the landlord requires a prospective or current tenant to have a certain threshold level of income, exclude any source of income in the form of a rent voucher or subsidy when calculating whether the income criteria have been met. This subdivision does not apply to emergency rental assistance. (g) Attempt to discourage the rental or lease of any rental unit to the prospective or current tenant. (h) Publish, circulate, display, or cause to be published, circulated, or displayed any communication, notice, advertisement, or sign of any kind relating to the rental or lease of any rental unit that indicates a preference, limitation, or requirement based on any source of income. (i) Assist, induce, incite, or coerce another person to commit an act or engage in a practice that violates this subsection. (j) Coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of the person having exercised or enjoyed or having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected under this subsection. (2) This section does not apply to a person if the person, including all related entities to that person, is a landlord of fewer than 5 rental units in this state. As used in this subsection: (a) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, limited liability company, or any other legal entity. (b) "Related entity" means a person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another person.
Michigan law under MCL § 554.601c prohibits landlords who own five or more rental units (counting related entities) from treating prospective or current tenants differently because of where their rent money comes from — including housing vouchers, subsidies, or emergency rental assistance. The rule bars a wide range of conduct, from outright denial of a tenancy to discriminatory advertising, misrepresenting unit availability, and even pressuring others to discriminate. When a landlord sets income thresholds, rent vouchers and subsidies must be counted toward meeting those thresholds, though emergency rental assistance is excluded from that calculation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators covered by MCL § 554.601c — generally those with five or more rental units in Michigan, including units held through related entities — typically apply the same screening criteria, pricing, and terms to all applicants regardless of whether they pay with a voucher, subsidy, or personal funds. Compliant operators also review their advertising and listings to ensure no language signals a preference against voucher holders or other income sources, and they count qualifying rent subsidies when evaluating whether an applicant meets an income threshold. Operators should also be mindful that the provision extends to indirect conduct, such as instructing staff or agents to steer or discourage applicants based on income source.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under MCL § 554.601c, tenants and applicants who rely on housing vouchers, subsidies, or other non-wage income sources have the right to be evaluated on the same terms as any other renter, provided the landlord owns five or more units. If a landlord refuses to rent, misrepresents availability, excludes a voucher from an income calculation, or publishes discriminatory advertising, those actions may constitute violations of this provision. Tenants who believe their rights under MCL § 554.601c have been violated can explore options such as filing a complaint with a relevant state or local fair housing agency, raising the violation as a defense in an eviction proceeding, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information.
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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