Detroit, MI Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Detroit City Code § 8-15-81
- Who must register
- Owners or agents of rental property
- First-offense fine
- $250 civil fine
- Renewal trigger
- New owner re-registers within 90 days
- Enforcing agency
- Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department
Summary
Detroit landlords must register every rental dwelling with the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department and obtain a Certificate of Registration of Rental Property before leasing it to tenants.
The owners or agents of rental property shall register all such dwellings with the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department and obtain a Certificate of Registration of Rental Property as provided for in this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 8-15-81, owners or agents of rental property must register every dwelling with the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department and obtain a Certificate of Registration of Rental Property, listing the property's address, the owner's contact and ID information, any property manager or caretaker, and whether the unit is on the state's lead-safe housing registry. The certificate stays valid until the property changes ownership or use; a new owner has 90 days after a sale to register in their own name. Registration is separate from the Certificate of Compliance issued after inspection.
Violations & Fines
Failure to register a rental property under § 8-15-81 is a blight violation carrying a civil fine of $250 first offense, $350 second, and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Detroit landlords need to register rental property?
What happens if I sell a registered rental property?
Is registration the same as a rental Certificate of Compliance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan rental property rules overview
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Rental Registration in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle rental registration.