Short answer: Every Detroit rental needs a Certificate of Compliance. Register the property in the City's eLAPS system, book and pass the 15-point property condition inspection (1 to 2 units book in eLAPS; 3+ units call BSEED at 313-628-2451), and BSEED issues the certificate. Registering alone does not make a property compliant.
What changed in 2024?
City Council passed a rewrite of Detroit's rental ordinance on October 29, 2024. The City calls the new process "simplified": properties get a certificate after passing a 15-point property condition inspection, and the old requirement of a full lead inspection for every rental was replaced by a visual check for deteriorated paint and bare soil. The online city code (Municode) had not been updated for the rewrite when we checked, so use the City's own pages and the passed ordinance, linked below.
The steps
- Register the rental in the Code Enforcement module of your eLAPS account and upload the required forms. The City says registration "remains valid permanently, unless there is a change in ownership."
- Book the inspection. For 1 to 2 unit properties, pay the inspection fee in eLAPS; the inspection company assigned to your ZIP code contacts you. For 3 or more units, call BSEED at (313) 628-2451.
- Pass the 15-point inspection. Properties that passed a Section 8, other HUD, MSHDA or Detroit HRD inspection in the last 12 months can upload that report instead.
- Get the certificate from BSEED, and calendar the renewal.
The 15 points, in plain English
| Area | What the inspector checks |
|---|---|
| Structure | Sound floors and structure; handrails on stairs with 4+ risers; porch guardrails |
| Weather | Roof, walls and gutters keep out rain and snow |
| Utilities | Gas and electric on; heat that can reach 68°F; hot water 110 to 140°F; plumbing works with no leaks |
| Electrical | No exposed wires; all cover plates on |
| Safety devices | Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors |
| Exits and security | Proper egress, with at least one bedroom window without fixed bars; windows open and lock; unit entry doors lock |
| Pests and sanitation | Free from rodent or insect infestation; sanitary, no mold or sewage |
| Lead | No deteriorated paint or bare soil |
Watch item 13: the City's checklist defines infestation to include any presence of rodents in a residence and any presence of bed bugs or roaches. One sighting can fail the inspection. See our pest prevention guide.
What does it cost, and how long does it last?
The live certificate page doesn't list a fee. The City's August 2025 update lists $195 for a one-unit inspection and $225 for a duplex, plus a $20 processing fee, with the first reinspection at no extra charge. The same update says the first certificate lasts 3 years and a renewal 5 years if renewed before it expires. Check eLAPS for current fees.
What happens if a rental isn't compliant?
- The City's Landlord Quick Reference Guide lists BSEED tickets starting at $400, liens for unpaid tickets, and tenants' ability to pay rent into escrow.
- If a child in a rental is lead-poisoned, the City requires a lead inspection and risk assessment at the owner's expense (August 2025 update).
Does it apply to my property?
Per the Quick Reference Guide, a rental includes written leases and verbal agreements, including renting to family. It excludes an owner-occupied single-family home with rooms rented out and an owner-occupied duplex with one unit rented. Short-term rentals are a separate question: see our Detroit short-term rental rules guide.
Where to get help
BSEED runs a free virtual Landlord Compliance Clinic on Fridays 1 to 3 p.m. and in-person office hours on the second Monday of each month at the Northwest Activities Center. Phone (313) 628-2451, email [email protected]. If the inspection turns up repairs, paint, pest or cleaning items, we can coordinate the fixes: see the turnover timeline.
Sources
- City of Detroit BSEED: Rental Certificate of Compliance
- City of Detroit BSEED: Landlord Rental Requirements
- City of Detroit: Rental Ordinance 15-point Inspection Checklist (PDF, Apr 2025)
- City of Detroit: New Detroit Rental Ordinance, August Update (PDF, Aug 2025)
- City of Detroit: Landlord Quick Reference Guide (PDF, 2025)
- City of Detroit: Final Rental Ordinance as passed 10/29/24 (PDF)
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official sources above before you rely on them.
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