Michigan Laws 600.5720 – Judgment for possession of premises for alleged termination of tenancy; grounds for not entering; retaliatory termination of tenancy; presumptions; burden
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(1) A judgment for possession of the premises for an alleged termination of tenancy shall not be entered against a defendant if 1 or more of the following is established:
(a) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as a penalty for the defendant’s attempt to secure or enforce rights under the lease or agreement or under the laws of the state, of a governmental subdivision of this state, or of the United States.
Terms Used In Michigan Laws 600.5720
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
- Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- judgment: as used in this act , includes decree. See Michigan Laws 600.112
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- Lease: includes a written or verbal lease or license agreement for use or possession of premises. See Michigan Laws 600.5701
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- Premises: includes lands, tenements, condominium property, cooperative apartments, air rights and all manner of real property. See Michigan Laws 600.5701
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
- Summary proceedings: means a civil action to recover possession of premises and to obtain certain ancillary relief as provided by this chapter and by court rules adopted in connection therewith. See Michigan Laws 600.5701
- United States: shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
(b) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as a penalty for the defendant’s complaint to a governmental authority with a report of plaintiff‘s violation of a health or safety code or ordinance.
(c) That the alleged termination was intended primarily as retribution for a lawful act arising out of the tenancy, including membership in a tenant organization and a lawful activity of a tenant organization arising out of the tenancy.
(d) That the alleged termination was of a tenancy in housing operated by a city, village, township, or other unit of local government and was terminated without cause.
(e) That the plaintiff attempted to increase the defendant’s obligations under the lease or contract as a penalty for the lawful acts as are described in subdivisions (a) to (c) and that the defendant’s failure to perform the additional obligations was the primary reason for the alleged termination of tenancy.
(f) That the plaintiff committed a breach of the lease which excuses the payment of rent if possession is claimed for nonpayment of rent.
(g) That the rent allegedly due, in an action where possession is claimed for nonpayment of rent, was paid into an escrow account under section 130 of Act No. 167 of the Public Acts of 1917, being section 125.530 of the Michigan Compiled Laws; was paid pursuant to a court order under section 134(5) of Act No. 167 of the Public Acts of 1917, as amended, being section 125.534 of the Michigan Compiled Laws; or was paid to a receiver under section 135 of Act No. 167 of the Public Acts of 1917, being section 125.535 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
(2) If a defendant who alleges a retaliatory termination of the tenancy shows that within 90 days before the commencement of summary proceedings the defendant attempted to secure or enforce rights against the plaintiff or to complain against the plaintiff, as provided in subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), or (e), by means of official action to or through a court or other governmental agency and the official action has not resulted in dismissal or denial of the attempt or complaint, a presumption in favor of the defense of retaliatory termination arises, unless the plaintiff establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the termination of tenancy was not in retaliation for the acts. If the defendant’s alleged attempt to secure or enforce rights or to complain against the plaintiff occurred more than 90 days before the commencement of proceedings or was terminated adversely to the defendant, a presumption adverse to the defense of retaliatory termination arises and the defendant has the burden to establish the defense by a preponderance of the evidence.