If a rental property in Michigan fails to meet legally required health and safety standards, tenants have the right to report their landlord to local public officials who may choose to follow up, inspect the property and cite the landlord for such violations.
What Are Considered Unsafe Living Conditions in Michigan?
In Michigan, unsafe living conditions exist when a rental property doesn’t have safe and working:
- Plumbing.
- Screens.
- Locks.
- Heating (in winter).
- Hot water.
- Garbage removal.
- Common areas.
- Smoke alarms.
- Other features that affect health and safety.
What Should Tenants Do Before Reporting a Violation in Michigan?
In most cases, before reporting a violation, a tenant in Michigan must notify the landlord in writing about the issue and ask him to fix it within a reasonable time, as judged by all the relevant circumstances.
How Can Tenants Report a Violation in Michigan?
Tenants in Michigan should report violations to the local office or officers responsible for housing code enforcement. The exact process depends on municipality.
| Location | Organization | Contact |
| Detroit | Property Maintenance | Online Form |
| Grand Rapids | Code Compliance | Online Form |
| Warren City | Property Maintenance Division |
After receiving a complaint, an inspecting officer might contact the tenant for more information. Then the officer will usually inspect the property and cite the landlord for any code violations.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Detroit?
A tenant in Detroit can report a health or safety violation by calling Property Maintenance at (313) 628-2451 or using the provided online form. Enter contact information, address, details about the issue, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Grand Rapids?
A tenant in Grand Rapids can report a health or safety violation by calling Code Compliance at (616) 456-3053 or using one of the provided online forms. Enter location, personal information, issue details, review, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Warren City?
A tenant in Warren City can report a health or safety violation by calling the Property Maintenance Division at (586) 574-4662 or through email. Be prepared to provide contact information, location, and a detailed description of the issue.
What Could Happen to a Landlord After a Complaint Is Made in Michigan?
After a tenant files a complaint about unsafe living conditions in Michigan, an officer may inspect the property. If the landlord doesn’t fix code violations, the landlord could be fined and the tenant could have the right to stop rent payments.
Sources
- 1 Mich. Comp. L. § 125.471 (2022)
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“Every dwelling and all the parts thereof including plumbing, heating, ventilating and electrical wiring shall be kept in good repair by the owner. The roof shall be so maintained as not to leak and the rain water shall be drained and conveyed therefrom through proper conduits into the sewerage system in accordance with plumbing regulations so as to avoid dampness in the walls and ceilings and insanitary conditions.” Mich. Comp. L. § 125.471 (2022). Note that unlike Mich. Comp. L. § 554.139(1) & (2) (2022), this section does not provide for the possibility of explicit waiver in leases of one year and longer terms.
Source Link - 2 Mich. Comp. L. § 125.474 (2022)
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“Every dwelling and every part thereof shall be kept clean and shall also be kept free from any accumulation of dirt, filth, rubbish, garbage or other matter in or on the same, or in the yards, courts, passages, areas or alleys connected therewith or belonging to the same. The owner of every dwelling shall be responsible for keeping the entire building free from vermin. The owner shall also be responsible for complying with the provisions of this section except that the tenants shall be responsible for the cleanliness of those parts of the premises that they occupy and control.”
Source Link - 3 Mich. Comp. L. § 125.1504c(1) (2022)
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“[T]he owner of an existing building or structure… shall install 1 or more smoke alarms in that building or structure.”
Source Link - 4 Mich. Resid. Code § 315.1 (2009)
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“For new construction, an approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in dwelling units within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.”
Source Link - 5 Anchor Inn v. Knopman, 71 Mich. App. 64, 67 (Mich. Ct. App. 1976)
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“Where the landlord has covenanted to make repairs and fails to do so, the tenant, after giving reasonable notice to the landlord, may make the repairs and recover the cost of such repairs from the landlord or he may deduct the cost from the rent. Unless the landlord’s duty to repair is expressly made conditional upon receipt of notice from the tenant, such duty may arise from the landlord’s actual knowledge of the need for repair.”
Source Link - 6 Mich. Comp. L. § 125.530 (2022)
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For details on the specific requirements and process for unilateral rent withholding under the certificate-of-compliance statute, see Mich. Comp. L. § 125.530 (2022).
Source Link
