Royal Oak Township, MI Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Section 6-79 sets the habitability test for rentals. Any rental dwelling or rental unit with one of three defects is condemned, designated and placarded by the Building Division. The first is a unit so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health, safety or welfare of occupants or the public. The second is a unit that lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities adequate to protect health and safety. The third is a unit that, because of its general condition or location, is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous. A condemned unit must be vacated, and it cannot be used for habitation again until the Building Division gives written approval and removes the placard, which it does once the defects are eliminated. No one can deface or remove the placard. Anyone affected by a condemnation or placarding notice can request a hearing before the Building Division and is granted one. Designation and condemnation procedures also follow the Township's Charter, codes and ordinances and any applicable state statute (§ 6-79(a)).

The standards behind those findings come from the Township's adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2015 edition, as the Property Maintenance Code of the Charter Township of Royal Oak (§ 8-188). Its stated scope covers supplied utilities and facilities and the other conditions essential to keep structures safe, sanitary and fit for occupation, plus condemnation of structures unfit for human occupancy. Section 8-189 fills in local blanks: $100 and $500 at Section 112.4, eight at Section 302.4, April 1 and December 1 at Section 304.14, and October 1 and May 1 at Sections 602.3 and 602.4.

Habitability ties into the certificate of compliance. A certificate is issued only after satisfactory inspections that the property complies with all local ordinances and state construction codes (§ 6-81), and the Building Division can revoke it for a violation of any Township ordinance, rule or regulation (§ 6-80). Boarding up a window, door or other opening in a rental needs prior approval from the Building Division and is limited to two weeks unless the Supervisor of the Building Division approves a longer period in writing (§ 6-78).