Know the exact rules before you sign—or enforce—a lease in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, or Lansing.
Jump to Comparison Chart ↓Michigan’s statewide habitability statute MCL 554.139 sets a floor for safe housing, but municipal rental codes raise that bar—sometimes dramatically. Cities like Detroit require landlords to hold a valid Certificate of Compliance before collecting rent, whereas Grand Rapids grades properties on an A-through-C tier that affects inspection frequency. Tenants who learn these local nuances gain powerful leverage: a missing certificate can stall eviction, reduce rent, or fast-track repairs through enforcement inspectors instead of courtroom battles.
Who enforces: Detroit Housing & Revitalization Department (HRD).
Pro-tip for landlords: Schedule an optional pre-inspection with a licensed contractor. Fixing hazards before HRD arrives avoids the $295 re-inspection fee. Tenants can confirm a certificate by plugging the street address into Detroit’s public lookup (pattern: detroitmi.gov/housing/lookup/1234-main-st).
Grand Rapids operates a three-tier system:
Landlords can request a free maintenance self-survey to bump into Tier A. For tenants, the key defense is timing: if your unit is Tier B but the landlord skips the two-year renewal, judges may bar rent collection until a new certificate issues under Chapter 61 Housing Code.
Eco-centric amendments make Ann Arbor a statewide outlier. Certificates include an energy efficiency grade based on blower-door tests and insulation R-values. Tenants may request the test report if landlords advertise “high-efficiency” to justify above-market rent. Lead-safe certifications also run stricter than state minimums, especially in homes built before 1978.
| City | Cycle Length | Avg. Inspection Fee | Common Failed Item | Main Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 3 yrs (1-2 for violators) | $295 initial + $295 re-inspect | Lead paint chips | 313-555-1234 |
| Grand Rapids | 4 / 2 / 1 yrs (Tier A-C) | $175 | Loose handrails | 616-555-2345 |
| Ann Arbor | 2 yrs | $200 | Window egress size | 734-555-3456 |
| Lansing | 3 yrs (1 for chronic) | $150 | Smoke detector missing | 517-555-4567 |
Lansing’s code mirrors state standards but adds a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone around Michigan State University. Student rentals inside the zone face a one-year inspection cycle and stricter occupancy limits. Chronic violators pay escalating fines and may lose rental licenses altogether under Section 1300.05.
Here’s what happens once your property hits its renewal date:
Day –45 City mails reminder
Day –14 Landlord schedules inspection
Day 0 Inspector arrives (30-minute window)
Day +10 Report & any violations posted
Day +30 Re-inspection (if needed)
Want to know your next deadline? Use the calculator below:
Detroit and Grand Rapids print A/B/C on certificates; Ann Arbor uses Pass / Deficiency. A grade merely indicates frequency of future inspections—not a guarantee of perfection. Landlords who publicly post an “A” certificate inside the unit reduce complaint calls by signalling compliance. Tenants should inspect the issue date and make sure it hasn’t lapsed.
| Violation | First Fine | Repeat Fine | Agency Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| No certificate, still collecting rent | $500 | $1,000 | 313-555-1234 (Detroit) |
| Missed re-inspection | $175 | $350 | 616-555-2345 (GR) |
| Unauthorized Airbnb listings | $350 | $700 | 734-555-3456 (AA) |
| False compliance display | $200 | $400 | 517-555-4567 (Lansing) |
Tenant script (60 sec): “Hi, I’m a renter at 123 Maple. My landlord has no active certificate and refuses repairs. I’d like to file an official complaint and request an inspection.”