Detroit — Ch. 8 Art. XV Div. 3 Requirements for Rental Property (Registration + Lead) § 8-15-85
Federal and other governmental agency inspections accepted
Operative Text
Pursuant to Section 126(3) of the Michigan Housing Law, being MCL 125.526(3), the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department may accept inspections of one- or two-family dwellings, multiple dwellings, and rooming houses conducted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Real Estate Assessment Center inspection process, or by other governmental agencies, as long as that inspection certifies that the properties inspected comply with the standards and requirements of this article.
Under Detroit's Ch. 8 Art. XV Div. 3 § 8-15-85, the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) is not required to conduct its own separate inspection of a one- or two-family dwelling, multiple dwelling, or rooming house if a qualifying federal or other governmental agency has already inspected the property. Specifically, inspections carried out by HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center, or by comparable governmental bodies, can satisfy local requirements — but only when the inspection confirms that the property meets Detroit's own standards. This provision draws its authority from Section 126(3) of the Michigan Housing Law (MCL 125.526(3)).
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties covered by § 8-15-85 — including one- or two-family dwellings, multiple dwellings, and rooming houses — may find that a recent HUD Real Estate Assessment Center inspection, or one conducted by another qualifying governmental agency, can be accepted by BSEED in lieu of a separate city inspection. For this to apply, the inspection documentation must affirmatively certify that the property meets the standards set out in Detroit's Ch. 8 Art. XV Div. 3. Compliant operators typically retain copies of any such inspection reports and confirm with BSEED that the certification language satisfies local requirements before assuming a city inspection is waived.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 8-15-85 of Detroit's rental property regulations means that tenants living in one- or two-family homes, multiple dwellings, or rooming houses may have their building's compliance verified through a federal HUD inspection rather than a direct city inspection — but only if that inspection confirms the property meets Detroit's local standards. Tenants who have questions about whether their building has been properly inspected and certified can contact BSEED directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance. If a property appears to lack any valid inspection certification under this provision, tenants may have grounds to raise that issue through Detroit's housing complaint processes.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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