REVISED JUDICATURE ACT OF 1961 (EXCERPT)
Act 236 of 1961
600.5720 Judgment for possession of premises for alleged termination of tenancy; grounds for not entering; retaliatory termination of tenancy; presumptions; burden.
Sec. 5720.
(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.
(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.