By FINN MILLS
Capital News Service
LANSING – Michigan tenants could soon have the right to directly pay their water bills, even if their landlords fail to do so, under a bill introduced in the state House. The legislation aims to prevent water shutoffs due to landlord negligence,a problem impacting renters across the state.
Sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr., D-Detroit, the bill would require property owners to transfer water bills to tenants’ names upon request.”Reliable and safe access to water in Michigan homes is essential,” Wilson said.
Instances of tenants losing water access despite being current on rent payments have been reported in Detroit and other Michigan cities. Wilson cited a recent case in Detroit where residents of a duplex were without running water for several weeks in 2024 because the property owner hadn’t paid the water bill since 2020.
The issue disproportionately affects low-income communities. Detroit’s poverty rate in 2024 was 34.5%,up from 31.9% the previous year, according to the U.S. Census bureau.
While some property owners and utility managers claim their systems are unable to facilitate bill transfers, co-sponsor Rep.Natalie Price, D-Berkley, pointed to other Midwest states like Indiana where such transfers are already legally permitted.
The bill has garnered support from 16 Democratic lawmakers,including Kara Hope of Holt,Carrie Rheingans of Ann Arbor,Penelope Tsernoglou of East Lansing,and Dylan Wegelia of Garden City. It is part of a broader legislative effort known as the Affordable Water Now Package.
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Regulatory reform for further consideration.