LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4524, a bipartisan measure that gives Michiganders more time to protect their property rights and clarifies rules regarding land and home ownership.

House Bill 4524, sponsored by state Rep. Douglas Wozniak, R-Shelby Township, better protects the interests of Michigan land and homeowners by making property transactions more straightforward. Specifically, the bill gives owners more time to claim a property interest, extending the deadline by two years.

As such, property owners will have more time to record their land interests, including, but not limited to, rights related to minerals, driveways and walking paths. This bill also clarifies the property interests of parties involved in real estate transactions. Under this bill, Michiganders will be protected from surprise claims based on old, forgotten, or vague documents and be encouraged to maintain the accuracy of their property records.