Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.485
Health order; infected and uninhabitable dwellings to be vacated.
Operative Text
Sec. 85. Infected and uninhabitable dwellings to be vacated. Whenever it shall be certified by an inspector or officer of the health department that a dwelling is infected with contagious disease or that it is unfit for human habitation, or dangerous to life or health by reason of want of repair, or of defects in the drainage, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, or the construction of the same, or by reason of the existence on the premises of a nuisance likely to cause sickness among the occupants of said dwelling, or for any cause, the health officer or such other appropriate public official as the mayor may designate, may issue an order requiring all persons therein to vacate such house within not less than 24 hours nor more than 10 days for the reasons to be mentioned in said order. In case such order is not complied with within the time specified, the health officer or such other appropriate public official as the mayor may designate may cause said dwelling to be vacated. The health officer or such other appropriate public official as the mayor may designate whenever he is satisfied that the danger from said dwelling has ceased to exist, or that it is fit for human habitation may revoke said order or may extend the time within which to comply with the same.
Under MCL § 125.485, when a health department inspector certifies that a dwelling is infected with contagious disease, unfit for human habitation, or dangerous to life or health due to disrepair, drainage, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, construction defects, or on-premises nuisances, an authorized public official may order all occupants to vacate. The vacate order must give residents between 24 hours and 10 days to leave, with the specific reasons stated in the order. If the order is not followed within the stated timeframe, the official may enforce the vacancy directly; the order may later be revoked if the official determines the hazard no longer exists or the dwelling is again fit for habitation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
MCL § 125.485 gives public health officials independent authority to order a property vacated when an inspector certifies conditions such as contagious disease, structural danger, or sanitation failures — meaning a landlord's own timeline for repairs does not control the process. Operators who maintain dwellings in good repair, with functioning plumbing, drainage, lighting, and ventilation, and who promptly address nuisances, are generally less likely to face a certification triggering a vacate order. Once a vacate order is issued, compliant property managers typically address the cited deficiencies and work with the health officer or designated official to demonstrate that conditions have been remedied so the order can be revoked.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.485 establishes that occupants of a dwelling certified as infected, dangerous, or unfit may be required to vacate within a window of 24 hours to 10 days, with the specific reasons for the order stated in writing. Tenants who receive such an order should be aware that the issuing official also has authority to revoke the order once the hazard is resolved, which may be relevant to understanding their right to return. Tenants facing a vacate order or concerned about underlying habitability conditions may find it useful to contact their local health department, a tenant-rights organization, or legal aid to understand what options are generally available under this provision.
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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