Detroit property owners have gone too long without accountability for the living conditions and health of their tenants. This strong ordinance helps protect Detroit residents and their families. It’s time for the owners of rentals to step up and do their part!
Read the full article from the Detroit News to learn more about what’s going on.
Wooden window with lead paint. This is a common sight at Detroit properties
On October 31st, 2017, the Detroit City Council opted to pass an amendment to their Rental Property Maintenance Code. This new amendment creates a system for outreach and enforcement with the goal of bringing rental properties in Detroit up to code withing two years.
This amended ordinance will be phased out in “compliance zones,” which are geographic areas where enforcement will begin, and then reach out through the rest of the city in staggered start dates. Once a “zone” is opened, landlords will have six months to get their properties up to code. New zones will be opened 90 days following the opening of the previous zone.
If a landlord does not bring their property up to code within the six month window, they will not legally be allowed to collect rent. For three months following the initial six month period, a tenant must put their rent into escrow. If the landlord brings the property up to code during those three months, the rent money is handed over. If the property is not brought up to code, then the tenant may recollect their rent money that was placed in escrow. This process then repeats if the home continues to remain without repair.
In addition, this amendment also provides for the city withholding a landlord’s certificate of compliance if more than $1,000 in property taxes has been unpaid for over six months, year lead inspection requirements, reduction in inspection frequency for landlords without blight violations and paid taxes, as well as an more rapid path for appealing the denial of a certificate of compliance.
This is a major step to bring Detroit’s housing stock into the 21st century. As we continue our fight to eliminate lead poisoning in the city, we would like to applaud the Detroit City Council for passing this amendment to protect the health of the children in our community.
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With some estimates placing Detroit’s asthma rate at around 20%, CLEARCorps is excited about this new initiative to reduce the effects asthma has on Detroit’s children. We are grateful to The Jewish Fund for their generous support, and for our partnership with WCHAP.
To apply for the program or to find out more information, please call our office at 313-924-4000.
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