Leelanau County board backs bills aimed at curbing predatory foreclosure practices

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 adopted a resolution supporting Michigan House Bills 5152 and 5153, measures aimed at preventing third-party firms from convincing homeowners to sell rights to surplus foreclosure proceeds or rights of redemption for a fraction of their value.

Register of Deeds Jennifer Grant introduced the resolution and asked the board to "stand in solidarity" with the office in opposing predatory practices that target vulnerable property owners. The board approved the resolution by a roll-call vote of 6-1; Commissioner Alan Campbell voted no.

The resolution text, as approved by the board, states the bills would make a mortgagor's surplus-money rights and right of redemption nonassignable after a foreclosure notice is recorded and would require a mandatory "Notice of Rights" for conveyances after a foreclosure notice is recorded. The board directed staff to send the resolution to the state House speaker, Senate majority leader and the governor.

During discussion, some commissioners questioned whether the county should take positions on statewide legislation; Commissioner Campbell said he preferred actions targeted specifically to Leelanau County. Supporters said the bills protect home equity and would reduce burdens on county resources linked to foreclosure issues.

The resolution (No. 2026-001) was moved by Commissioner Gwenne Allgaier and seconded by Commissioner Ty Wessell. The minutes record the vote as Allgaier, Bunek, Robbins, Walter, Wessell and Yoder voting yes; Campbell voted no.