Royal Oak Township, MI Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 6 of the Charter Township of Royal Oak code governs rental dwellings. Section 6-77 authorizes designated employees of the Township's Building Division to inspect any rental dwelling or rental unit, occupied or unoccupied. The first inspection falls within 30 days of registration or of notification of a required inspection shown in Township records. After that, each unit in every rental dwelling is inspected every two years or when the tenant changes, and a per-unit inspection fee is due at the time of inspection. The Building Official or a designated representative gives seven days' notice before entering at reasonable times. Owners, agents, representatives and tenants must consent and give free access, with one exception: in an emergency or imminent danger, immediate inspection is permitted. A vacated unit that carries four outstanding violations must be inspected before anyone occupies or reoccupies it.

The program rests on registration. Section 6-73 requires the owner to register each rental dwelling and designate a responsible local agent who lives in the county or a bordering county. The owner can serve as the agent on the same residency condition. Registration lasts two years or until a change in tenant (§ 6-75). A sale ends the registration and any certificate of compliance, so a new owner has 15 days from the transfer to register and apply. The Building Division keeps a public registry, address changes go into it within 30 days, and a seller must notify the Division within 15 days of a sale, land contracts included.

When an inspection finds a violation of the rental article or of any construction, fire, zoning or maintenance code, the Division records it and sends notice in person or by first-class mail. Corrections are due within the time the Division allots, repairs that need permits go through licensed contractors, and the follow-up inspection carries no additional fee. A failed follow-up means a reinspection, additional inspection fees and penalties. Under § 6-72 the program covers rentals that are not owner-occupied and excludes housing cooperatives, public housing and any rental dwelling currently licensed and inspected by the state.