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Montcalm County backs bills to tighten homeowner protections in foreclosure proceedings
Summary
The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution Feb. 9 supporting Michigan House Bills 5152 and 5153, measures the county’s register of deeds said would improve notice, preserve redemption rights and curb third‑party exploitation of surplus proceeds after foreclosure.
Montcalm County commissioners on Feb. 9 adopted a resolution supporting two Michigan bills intended to strengthen homeowner protections during foreclosure processes.
Kim Kuhn, Montcalm County register of deeds, told the board the measures — House Bill 5152 and House Bill 5153 — would improve transparency in foreclosures by requiring local publication of foreclosure notices for four consecutive weeks, mandating a clear notice of rights when properties convey after foreclosure, and requiring that canceled foreclosure sales be recorded with the register of deeds within 30 days to keep records accurate. Kuhn said the bills also would make rights of redemption and surplus proceeds non‑assignable except by inheritance or probate, “which stops third parties from pressuring homeowners into signing away valuable rights for pennies on the dollar.”
A commissioner moved to adopt a formal resolution supporting the bills; the board approved the measure by voice vote. The resolution was recorded in meeting materials as resolution 2026‑01.
Why it matters: county registers of deeds handle property records and foreclosure notices daily; Kuhn told commissioners the changes would protect homeowners’ rights and help maintain reliable public records.
Next steps: the county’s resolution registers local support; the bills must still move through the Michigan Legislature for statewide effect.
