Flint's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Flint, Michigan, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rent Control

Flint cannot adopt rent control. Michigan Public Act 226 of 1988 (MCL 123.411 et seq.) preempts every local unit of government from enacting any ordinance or resolution that would control the amount of rent charged for private residential property.

Key details: Local Rent Control: Preempted statewide. Preemption Statute: MCL 123.411+ (PA 226 of 1988). Landlord-Tenant Act: MCL 554.601+. Notice Statute: MCL 554.134 (30 days). Forum: 67th District Court.

No local rent-cap penalties can exist because the City has no authority to impose any. Disputes over notice, retaliation under MCL 600.5720, or discriminatory pricing go to the 67th District Court in Flint or to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and HUD for fair-housing complaints.

Flint is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

Just Cause Eviction

Flint has no local just-cause eviction ordinance. Evictions follow Michigan's Summary Proceedings Act (MCL 600.5701 et seq.) and the Landlord-Tenant Relationships Act (MCL 554.601+). Filings go to the 67th District Court in Flint.

Key details: Local Ordinance: None. Summary Proceedings: MCL 600.5701+. Standard Notice: 30 days (MCL 554.134). Nonpayment Demand: 7 days (MCL 600.5714). Forum: 67th District Court.

With no local just-cause rule, tenants raise procedural, retaliation (MCL 600.5720), or discrimination defenses in 67th District Court or on appeal. Self-help lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings trigger treble damages under MCL 600.2918.

The rules around just cause eviction in Flint lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rental Registration

Flint requires every residential rental unit to be registered and certified through the Department of Building, Safety, Inspections and Licensing. Certification is paired with periodic inspection against the International Property Maintenance Code, including post-water-crisis lead service-line checks.

Key details: Administrator: Flint Building & Safety. Required: Certificate of Compliance. Standard: IPMC as adopted. Renewal: Annual / cycle inspection. Forum: 67th District Court.

Renting an uncertified or unregistered unit, missing the annual fee, refusing inspection entry, or missing IPMC correction deadlines violates the Flint City Code. Citations go to 67th District Court with per-offense and per-day fines; the City may post the property as unfit and bar continued occupancy.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Flint actively enforces its rental registration requirements.

Security Deposit Rules

Security deposits in Flint follow Michigan statute. MCL 554.602 caps the deposit at 1.5 times one month's rent. MCL 554.603 requires written notice of where the deposit is held. MCL 554.609 requires return or itemized notice within 30 days of vacancy.

Key details: Deposit Cap: 1.5x monthly rent (MCL 554.602). Move-in Notice: MCL 554.603. Return Deadline: 30 days (MCL 554.609). Tenant Address: 4 days (MCL 554.611). Penalty: Double damages (MCL 554.613).

Charging more than 1.5 months' rent, failing the move-in notice under MCL 554.603, missing the 30-day return-or-itemize deadline under MCL 554.609, or wrongfully withholding violates the Act. Tenants may recover double damages plus court costs under MCL 554.613 in 67th District Court.

Rental Inspection Programs

Flint's rental inspection program is run by the Department of Building, Safety, Inspections and Licensing. Inspectors apply the International Property Maintenance Code and check lead service-line and lead-paint conditions on a cycle and on tenant complaint after the 2014-2019 water crisis.

Key details: Administrator: Flint Building & Safety. Standard: IPMC as adopted. Smoke/CO Alarms: MCL 125.1504e. Lead Service Lines: Post-crisis LSL program. Triggers: Cycle + complaint.

Refusing scheduled-inspection entry, renting a unit declared unfit, missing the compliance deadline, or re-renting a posted unit violates the Flint City Code. Citations go to 67th District Court with escalating fines. Defective units may be posted under IPMC §108 and a Certificate of Compliance withheld or revoked.

This is one of the stricter rules in Flint's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Flint's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Flint is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Flint can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.