Tuesday, the Detroit City Council unanimously approved the establishment of a tenants’ rights commission designed to advocate for the city’s residential renters. The newly minted nine-member commission will champion policy recommendations aimed at curbing evictions, promoting landlord accountability, and guiding city departments in educating both tenants and landlords on rental housing issues. With over 240,000 housing units in Detroit, and half of those occupied by renters, this decision marks a significant step forward for tenant rights in the city.
The commission, a brainchild of At-Large Council Member Mary Waters, will include diverse members from the Detroit community, including at least four renters and a small-scale property owner who manages up to 10 city-code-compliant units., all appointed by the council and the mayor. With terms set at two years, these members are expected to bring varied perspectives to the table, representing the elderly, students, and persons with disabilities, among others. Waters emphasized its mission, “The commission aims to foster a more equitable and secure rental landscape for all Detroit residents.”
Recent grievances from seniors about hazardous living conditions have intensified the urgency for this commission. Reports of mold, vermin, lack of heating, and insufficient security measures have plagued some of Detroit’s older citizens, prompting advocacy groups and community members to demand immediate action to safeguard these vulnerable residents.
Lisa Franklin, a member of Warriors on Wheels, a Detroit-area nonprofit advocating for disabled individuals, made an impassioned plea to the council, “We need to do something now to enforce and support this commission to protect these citizens who are in jeopardy of becoming homeless.”
The commission will provide a crucial platform for tenant voices by collecting complaints, referring potential code violations to city departments, and facilitating voluntary mediation between tenants and landlords. Furthermore, it will draft policy recommendations and deliver an annual report to the City Council and the mayor’s administration.
To ensure renters have a straightforward way to verify property compliance, the ordinance mandates a centralized process where tenants can confirm the status of their rental properties through a city-maintained website. While the current Rental Compliance Map offers some transparency, a new site would streamline this process.
The stark reality of the widespread non-compliance with tenant rights in Detroit reveals an unsettling truth: too many residents are fighting tooth and nail for what is rightfully theirs—a safe and healthy living space. It’s a fundamental human right, not a privilege to be earned, especially for those diligently paying their hard-earned money for shelter. No one should endure substandard conditions, rampant evictions, or negligent landlords simply because the systems meant to protect them fall short. The newly established Tenant Rights Commission must be a fierce advocate, ensuring that every Detroiter has a secure and dignified place to call home, free from the struggle and uncertainty that have plagued too many lives for too long.
The 2022 report from Detroit Future City revealed that the majority of Detroit landlords own one or two properties, often lacking formal registration within the city’s rental system. The commission will also guide landlords on compliance with the city’s rental ordinance, which mandates registration, inspections, lead clearances, and payment of any outstanding fees or blight violation tickets.
To aid compliance, Detroit has rolled out grants and rebates for small-scale property owners to help them bring their properties up to code. The city has also emphasized lead paint safety, offering training and compliance support.
As Detroit intensifies efforts to create safe and habitable housing, this commission stands poised to be the unified voice for renters and ensure their concerns are finally heard.
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