Ann Arbor, MI Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Under the Housing Code's sanitation section, no owner may let a vacant dwelling unit, rooming unit, or premises to new tenants unless it is clean, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy before the tenant moves in; the code specifically prohibits any waiver of that cleanliness requirement, though owner and tenant may agree the tenant will clean the unit in exchange for consideration. During occupancy, the owner remains responsible for keeping the dwelling and common areas clean and sanitary, while tenants must keep the space they control clean and dispose of trash properly. Chapter 105 backs this with periodic Building Department inspections and a certificate-of-compliance system covering nearly all Ann Arbor rental housing.