Michigan Compiled Laws — Act 167 of 1917: Housing Law of Michigan
MCL §§125.401–125.543 (73 sections — 65 operative + 8 repealed stubs — verified 2026-10-12): Michigan's multiple-dwelling habitability code. Applies to every city, village, and township with population >=10,000 (§125.401(2)); for cities/villages/ townships <100,000 applies only to multi-family, not private/2-family dwellings unless adopted by local resolution. Art.I General (9 sections, 2 stubs): scope and definitions. Art.II–III structure. Art.VI stub-only. Art.IV Maintenance (26 sections): habitability and structural requirements landlords must maintain. Art.V Improvements (9 sections). Art.VII Enforcement (24 sections, 1 stub): registry of owners and premises (§125.525), inspection and certificate of compliance (§§125.526–.531), occupant's action and concurrent remedies (§125.536), dangerous buildings (§§125.538–.543). Repealed stubs carry status="repealed". Fetched via Bright Data Unlocker (DEC-040). Verified 2026-10-12.
Provisions (73)
§ 125.401
Short title; scope of act.
§ 125.402
Housing law of Michigan; definitions.
§ 125.402a
Enforcing agency; definition.
§ 125.403
Repealed. 1972, Act 230, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
§ 125.407
Sewer connections and water supply.
§ 125.408
Minimum requirements; law not to be modified.
§ 125.409
State board of health; authority.
§ 125.410
Time for compliance.
§ 125.410a
Repealed. 1972, Act 230, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
§ 125.411
Repealed. 1972, Act 230, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
§ 125.430
Repealed. 1972, Act 230, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
§ 125.438
Repealed. 1972, Act 230, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
§ 125.451
Repealed. 1972, Act 230, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
§ 125.465
Public halls in multiple dwellings; lighting; exit lights.
§ 125.466
Water closets in cellars.
§ 125.467
Water closet accommodations.
§ 125.468
Basement and cellar rooms.
§ 125.469
Joint use of kitchen by more than one family prohibited.
§ 125.470
Water closets and sinks; floors under and around.
§ 125.471
Repairs and drainage.
§ 125.472
Water supply.
§ 125.473
Catch-basins.
§ 125.474
Cleanliness of dwellings.
§ 125.475
Multiple dwellings; walls of courts.
§ 125.476
Multiple dwellings; walls and ceilings of rooms.
§ 125.477
Multiple dwellings; wallpaper.
§ 125.478
Receptacles for ashes, garbage and rubbish; chutes prohibited.
§ 125.479
Prohibited uses.
§ 125.480
Storage of combustible materials.
§ 125.481
Storage of combustible materials; openings between storage room and public hall.
§ 125.482
Fire prevention and safety requirements.
§ 125.482a
Class “A” multiple dwelling; smoke alarm; requirements; violation as misdemeanor; penalty; definitions.
§ 125.483
Overcrowding; minimum space requirements.
§ 125.484
Multiple dwellings; regulation; application; lodgers prohibited.
§ 125.485
Health order; infected and uninhabitable dwellings to be vacated.
§ 125.485a
Site of illegal drug manufacturing; notification of potential contamination; determination of contamination; rules; order by local health department.
§ 125.486
Health order; repairs to buildings, other structures.
§ 125.487
Fire escape maintenance.
§ 125.488
Scuttles, bulkheads, ladders and stairs in multiple dwellings.
§ 125.489
Rooms; lighting and ventilation.
§ 125.490
Multiple dwellings; public halls and stairs, lighting and ventilation.
§ 125.491
Plumbing fixtures.
§ 125.492
Privy vaults, school-sinks and water closets.
§ 125.493
Protection of basements and cellars.
§ 125.494
Shafts and courts; openings.
§ 125.495
Egress; means above first floor.
§ 125.496
Egress; other means.
§ 125.497
Roof egress in multiple dwellings.
§ 125.498
Repealed. 1968, Act 286, Eff. Nov. 15, 1968.
§ 125.521
Repealed. 1972, Act 230, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
§ 125.523
Administration of act; joint administration and enforcement agreement.
§ 125.525
Registry of owners and premises; transfer of ownership.
§ 125.526
Inspection; inspection by federal government as substitute; basis; inspectors; consent to enter leasehold; duties of owner; access during reasonable hours; request by owner to enter leasehold; multiple lessees; discrimination prohibited; fees; report; dwelling with child residing; ordinance; "lease" defined.
§ 125.527
Inspection; warrants for nonemergency situation; no warrant required in emergency.
§ 125.528
Inspections; public policy; records; checklist of violations.
§ 125.529
Certificate of compliance; issuance; inspection.
§ 125.530
Certificate withheld; premises not to be occupied; conditions of issuance; suspension of rent payments, escrow; account for rent and possession.
§ 125.531
Certificate; application; temporary certificates; fee.
§ 125.532
Violations; recording; notice; serious and imminent hazard; order to correct, reasonable time; reinspection; notice to department of health and human services; "serious and imminent hazard" defined.
§ 125.533
Compliance by owner and occupant.
§ 125.534
Noncompliance with notice of violation; actions; parties; motion for temporary relief; service of complaint and summons; filing notice of pendency of action; orders and determinations; repair or removal of structure; exception; costs; order approving expenses; lien; authority of municipality; “urban core cities” defined.
§ 125.535
Receiver; appointment, termination; purpose; powers; expenses.
§ 125.536
Additional remedies; occupant's action; concurrent remedies.
§ 125.537
Common law rights retained.
§ 125.538
Dangerous building prohibited.
§ 125.539
“Dangerous building” defined.
§ 125.540
Notice of dangerous building; contents; hearing officer; service.
§ 125.541
Hearing; testimony; determination to close proceedings or order building or structure demolished, made safe, or properly maintained; failure to appear or noncompliance with order; hearing; enforcement; reimbursement and notice of cost; lien; remedies.
§ 125.541a
Enforcement of judgment against other assets; lien; effectiveness; priority.
§ 125.541b
Noncompliance with order as misdemeanor; penalties; designation of blight violation by municipality.
§ 125.541c
Board of appeals; establishment; appointment and terms of members; vacancy; election of officers; quorum; compensation; expenses; meetings; writings.
§ 125.542
Appeal to circuit court.
§ 125.543