Detroit Title 18 prohibits landlord harassment intended to force a tenant to vacate, including utility shutoffs, lock changes, threats, and abusive contact. Confirmed harassment supports civil penalties up to $10,000 per incident plus treble damages.
Title 18 of the Detroit City Code defines tenant harassment as any willful conduct by a landlord, agent, or contractor that interferes with a tenant's quiet enjoyment, intended to coerce vacancy, surrender of rights, or refusal to make habitability complaints. Examples include disconnecting water or heat, changing locks without court order, removing doors or windows, repeated late-night contact, falsified eviction notices, or threats of immigration reporting. The Right to Counsel Office accepts complaints and refers to the Law Department for prosecution. Tenants may pursue private civil actions and recover statutory damages of $2,500 per incident, attorneys' fees, and treble damages where harassment is proven willful.
Each harassment incident: $1,000-$10,000 administrative fine, criminal misdemeanor referral, civil treble damages plus tenant attorneys' fees and possible injunctive relief.
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