· Michigan House Democrats (housedems.com)
Michigan Lawmakers Introduce Bill Package to Help Deed Fraud Victims Reclaim Homes
A group of Michigan lawmakers has introduced new legislation aimed at helping homeowners who fall victim to deed fraud.
What happened
According to Michigan House Democrats, state Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt), state Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) and fellow lawmakers introduced a package of bills on Oct. 15, 2026. The package is House Bills 6433-6436.
The bills are intended to help Michigan homeowners who are victims of deed fraud reclaim their property, recover their losses and seek justice.
Hope said deed fraud can be devastating, leaving homeowners fighting for years to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
Why it matters to homeowners
Deed fraud generally involves someone using forged or deceptive paperwork to transfer ownership of a property without the real owner's knowledge or consent. For a homeowner, discovering that the title to their home has been altered can be upsetting, and untangling it can be slow and costly. The new package is aimed at making that path to recovery easier for people affected.
The bills have only just been introduced, so they still have to move through the legislative process. Details of how they would work were not part of the announcement summarized here, and their final form could change before any vote.
What you can do
While lawmakers consider the proposals, homeowners can take a few practical steps to stay on top of their property records:
- Check your records. Look up your property on your county register of deeds or recorder website from time to time to confirm the owner of record is correct.
- Sign up for alerts. If your county offers a property fraud alert service, enroll in it so you are notified when documents are filed against your property.
- Watch your mail. Be alert to unexpected letters about your mortgage, taxes, liens or property transfers that you did not initiate.
- Be cautious with paperwork. Do not sign documents you do not understand, and be wary of unsolicited offers to buy your home or to "help" with your title.
- Act quickly if something looks wrong. Contact your county office and local law enforcement, and consider speaking with a real estate attorney or your title company.
- Follow the legislation. You can track HBs 6433-6436 through the Michigan Legislature's website and contact your state representative with your views.