Fair Housing & Discrimination Laws for Michigan Renters

Overview

Michigan renters are shielded by two powerful anti-discrimination frameworks: the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §3601 – 3619) and the state-level Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), MCL 37.2101 – 2804. Together, these laws ensure you can secure housing without bias based on race, religion, disability and a host of other protected traits. Michigan goes a step further by adding categories—such as marital status and age—not found in federal law.

Beyond preventing outright refusals to rent, fair-housing rules ban subtler tactics like “steering,” discriminatory advertisements, or charging minority applicants higher deposits. If you suspect bias, this guide shows how to document incidents, file complaints with HUD or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), and pursue damages in court.

Protected Classes Under Federal & Michigan Law

For renters with disabilities, landlords must provide reasonable accommodations—from service-animal exceptions to accessible parking—unless doing so imposes an undue burden. See our habitability guide for deeper coverage.

Illegal Practices

Discrimination can hide in paperwork, subtle language, or casual remarks. Watch for these red flags:

• Refusal to rent after learning your protected trait.
• Different lease terms—higher deposits, lower caps on roommates.
• Steering you toward (or away from) certain units or neighborhoods.
• Discriminatory ads. Example: “Ideal for mature Christian couple.”
• Harassment or intimidation based on protected status.
• Failure to accommodate disabilities: refusing an assistance animal or denying a ramp.

Even seemingly innocuous phrases like “no kids—too small” in an online post violate familial-status protections. Roommate ads are also covered if the owner rents more than one unit or uses a broker.

Testing Your Case

Courts often rely on “paired testing”—sending two similar applicants with different protected traits—to uncover bias. But you can gather indicators yourself:

• Landlord quotes higher rent after meeting you in person.
• Unit suddenly “unavailable” yet ad remains live.
• Different application-fee amounts among applicants.

Interactive Quiz: Is It Discrimination?

Tick any statements that match your experience and click “Evaluate.”

Filing HUD or MDCR Complaints

If informal talks fail, you can file a formal complaint with either HUD or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR). Here’s how they compare:

• HUD: One-year filing deadline, nationwide enforcement, ability to “elevate” to federal court.
• MDCR: 180-day deadline, smaller caseload for faster mediation, deeper knowledge of state-added classes.

Both agencies accept online forms, phone intake, or mailed affidavits. Include your timeline, copies of ads, witness info, and any paired-testing results. Need drafting help? Reach out to legal aid.

Evidence Checklist

Retaliation Protections

Michigan landlords cannot strike back because you asserted fair-housing rights. Under MCL 600.2972 and the Truth-in-Renting Act, a sudden eviction notice, rent hike, or service cut-off within 90 days of a discrimination complaint raises a presumption of retaliation. Document every retaliatory move and explore retaliation protections for next steps.

Remedies & Damages

Court or agency outcomes can include:

• Actual damages (extra rent paid while searching, moving costs, emotional distress).
• Punitive damages up to $50,000 for a first ELCRA violation.
• Equitable relief—order granting the unit, approving a service animal, or stopping harassment.
• Attorney’s fees and costs for prevailing tenants.

Example: A Lansing tenant denied a wheelchair ramp proved discrimination and won $4,200 in moving expenses, $12,000 emotional distress, plus $8,500 attorney fees—total $24,700.

Real-Life Scenarios

Grand Rapids Service Dog Denial: A landlord refused a golden-retriever service animal, claiming “breed restrictions.” MDCR ordered them to revise policy and pay $6 k in damages.

Sterling Heights Steering: An agent directed families with kids to basement units only. HUD conciliation resulted in $10 k civil penalty and mandatory trainings.

Ann Arbor Voucher Refusal: Property manager dismissed Section 8 applicants. After paired testing showed bias, the owner settled for $15 k and now accepts vouchers statewide.

Frequently Asked Questions