Detroit — Ch. 22 Art. V Rental Agencies § 22-5-4
Refund of fees paid to agencies
Operative Text
The rental agency shall refund to the applicant the fee paid in advance, where the agency is unable to secure accommodations for the applicant or the applicant is unable to secure similar accommodations by such applicant's own efforts 30 days from the date of the agreement.
Under Detroit — Ch. 22 Art. V Rental Agencies § 22-5-4, a rental agency that collects an upfront fee from an applicant must return that fee in full if, within 30 days of the agreement, neither the agency nor the applicant independently manages to secure comparable housing. This rule establishes a clear refund obligation tied to a specific time window and outcome. It applies regardless of how much effort the agency expended during that period.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Rental agencies operating under Detroit — Ch. 22 Art. V Rental Agencies § 22-5-4 generally maintain records of each applicant agreement, the date it was signed, and the search efforts made on the applicant's behalf. If the 30-day window closes without suitable accommodations being secured by either the agency or the applicant, a compliant operator processes the full fee refund promptly. Keeping clear documentation of search activity and outcomes helps demonstrate adherence to this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Detroit — Ch. 22 Art. V Rental Agencies § 22-5-4 gives applicants the right to a full refund of any advance fee paid to a rental agency when no suitable housing is found within 30 days of signing the agreement. If a rental agency refuses to issue that refund after the deadline passes, tenants may consider filing a complaint with the relevant Detroit municipal authority or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Keeping a copy of the original agreement and any correspondence with the agency can be useful when pursuing a refund.
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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