Rental Property Rules in Detroit, MI (2026)
10 verified rental property rules for Detroit, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Detroit has no rent-control or rent-stabilization ordinance and cannot enact one. Michigan Public Act 226 of 1988, codified at MCL 123.411, preempts the field statewide: a local governmental unit 'shall not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential property.' The only carve-outs are (1) management and control by a local government of property in which the local government has a property interest, and (2) voluntary incentive programs used to expand the supply of moderate- or low-cost rental housing. Rent inside the City of Detroit is set by private contract between landlord and tenant.
No Local Rent Control - Michigan PA 226 of 1988 (MCL 123.411) Preempts City Action
Few RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
Detroit has not enacted a 'just cause' eviction ordinance. Residential evictions in the City of Detroit are governed by Michigan's Summary Proceedings statute, MCL 600.5701 et seq., which sets out the grounds and procedure for terminating a tenancy and recovering possession in 36th District Court. Detroit's principal tenant-protection layer is its Right to Counsel ordinance for low-income tenants in eviction proceedings (Detroit City Code Chapter 9 Right to Counsel provisions, enacted May 2022, effective October 1, 2022), and the Office of Eviction Defense administers that program, but Right to Counsel does not change the substantive eviction grounds available to a landlord.
Detroit Has No Just-Cause Eviction Ordinance; Michigan Summary Proceedings Apply (MCL 600.5701 et seq.)
Few RestrictionsRental Registration
Detroit requires rental property registration and inspection through the BSEED rental inspection program. All residential rental properties must obtain a Certificate of Compliance before tenants can legally occupy the unit.
Detroit Rental Property Registration
Heavy RestrictionsRelocation Assistance
When BSEED red-tags a Detroit rental for habitability violations, landlords must pay displaced tenants relocation assistance equal to three months' rent or comparable temporary housing, per Title 18 of the Detroit City Code.
Tenant Relocation for Code Closures
Some RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Michigan's Truth in Renting Act (MCL §554.602) caps Detroit residential security deposits at 1.5 times monthly rent. Landlords must hold deposits in a regulated bank account and provide written itemization within 30 days of move-out.
Deposit Capped at 1.5 Months
Some RestrictionsNo-Fault Evictions
Detroit Ord. 2022-006, the Right to Counsel framework, paired with Title 18 amendments, requires landlords to state a just cause when refusing to renew an existing tenancy. Pure no-fault non-renewals face heightened scrutiny in 36th District Court.
Just-Cause Required for Lease Non-Renewal
Heavy RestrictionsTenant Anti-Harassment
Detroit Title 18 prohibits landlord harassment intended to force a tenant to vacate, including utility shutoffs, lock changes, threats, and abusive contact. Confirmed harassment supports civil penalties up to $10,000 per incident plus treble damages.
Tenant Harassment Civil Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsSource-of-Income Discrimination
Detroit's Fair Housing Ordinance bans landlords from refusing applicants based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, SSI, veteran benefits, or child support payments. Violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000.
Voucher Refusal Prohibited
Heavy RestrictionsSection 8 Voucher Acceptance
Detroit Housing Commission administers Housing Choice Vouchers. Once a tenant submits a Request for Tenancy Approval, the landlord must complete habitability inspection passes within 21 days, with HCV payments retroactive to the lease start date upon approval.
HCV Inspection Timeline Standards
Some RestrictionsEviction Moratorium History
Detroit honored federal CDC and Michigan state eviction moratoriums from March 2020 through October 2021. The 36th District Court paused most non-emergency dockets, while the Detroit Eviction Defense partnership channeled $79M in rental assistance.
Detroit Pandemic Eviction Pauses
Some RestrictionsLooking for Wayne County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Detroit city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Wayne County →