Battle Creek, MI Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Chapter 1462 of the Battle Creek Codified Ordinances says inspections to maintain compliance with the Property Maintenance Code (PMC) rest on one or more listed bases. Subsection (a) is a complaint received by the City indicating a violation of the Housing Code. Other bases include the City's own observation of a violation, an inspection under Chapter 842 for rental dwellings or rental units, the need to check compliance with an earlier order, an emergency, and a request for an inspection by a responsible party.

Once an inspector observes a violation, § 1462.08 requires the City to issue an order to repair or correct conditions. The order is delivered personally to the responsible party, or sent by regular mail with a notice posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. Under § 1462.12 the party is deemed to receive it on the date of personal service or seven calendar days after mailing.

Section 1462.10 fixes what the order must say: the inspection date, the address, the inspector's name, telephone number and signature, a description and location of each violation, a statement that each violation is a separate punishable offense, a correction date, a notice that a re-inspection will follow, and the right to appeal before the Board of Appeals with an appeal form. The responsible party is also told to contact the Building Inspection Department about whether the work needs a permit or a licensed contractor.

Inside a unit, § 1462.06 requires reasonable hours and the consent of an occupant or responsible party, otherwise a warrant or court order. For rental units, § 842.08(f) names the owner, legal agent, tenant or occupant as people who can consent. A tenant also has standing under § 1462.17(b)(2) to appeal an order to vacate or a condemnation order. Enforcement is carried out jointly by the County Health Department, the City's Fire Official, the Building Superintendent and the Administration under § 1462.36.