State Rep. Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township) introduced a bill to bring clarity and certainty to Michigan’s real estate law by tightening the rules surrounding the preservation of interests in land under the Marketable Record Title Act.

The bill seeks to amend the Marketable Record Title Act to more clearly define what constitutes a valid preservation of an interest in land, helping prevent outdated or vaguely worded claims from disrupting property ownership decades after purchase.

“This legislation is about protecting property owners and ensuring our land records reflect true, enforceable rights,” said Wozniak. “We’re closing loopholes that have been used to challenge ownership with decades-old, ambiguous claims that were never clearly preserved in the first place.”

Even with a clean, unbroken chain of titles spanning 20 to 40 years, current law allows ownership to be challenged by outdated or vaguely recorded interests. The bill clarifies that only clearly stated and properly preserved interests will remain valid after the marketable title period. Under the new provisions, a deed or mortgage that merely references an interest, without explicitly preserving it, will no longer be sufficient to uphold a claim. Vague or generic language will also be rejected to maintain an interest. Only well-documented and clearly articulated claims, such as easements, leases, or deed restrictions, will continue to be enforceable under the updated law.

“The goal is to make our land records stronger and more predictable, which is good for homeowners, buyers, real estate professionals, and the courts,” said Wozniak. “Ambiguity in land documents shouldn’t create confusion or allow surprise challenges to long-held property rights.”