Grand Rapids — Ch. 176 Human Rights § 9.970
Retaliation
Operative Text
No individual shall take adverse action against a person for: (1) Filing a complaint under this Chapter; (2) Testifying or providing witness or evidence of a violation of this Chapter; or (3) Opposing violations of this Chapter. Incidents of alleged retaliation shall be reported to the ODI and will be investigated under the investigative policy.
Grand Rapids Ch. 176 § 9.970 prohibits any person from taking adverse action against someone because that person filed a complaint, served as a witness or provided evidence, or spoke out against violations under Chapter 176. The protection covers a broad range of retaliatory conduct and applies to anyone who participates in the human-rights complaint process. Alleged retaliation is handled by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), which investigates such reports under its established investigative policy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Grand Rapids Ch. 176 § 9.970, property owners and managers are generally expected to refrain from any action that could be construed as punishing a tenant or applicant for engaging in protected activity — such as filing a complaint, cooperating with an investigation, or opposing discriminatory practices. Compliant operators typically document their leasing and management decisions carefully so that any adverse action, such as a rent increase or non-renewal, can be shown to rest on legitimate, non-retaliatory grounds. Familiarity with the ODI's investigative procedures can help operators understand what to expect if a retaliation allegation is reported.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Grand Rapids Ch. 176 § 9.970 gives tenants protection from adverse actions — such as eviction threats, rent hikes, or harassment — taken in response to filing a complaint, cooperating with an investigation, or opposing discriminatory conduct under Chapter 176. Tenants who believe they have experienced retaliation can report the incident to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), which is responsible for investigating such claims under its investigative policy. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Grand Rapids human-rights law can help individuals understand what documentation may be relevant when reporting a retaliation incident to the ODI.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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