Detroit — Ch. 22 Art. VII Requirements for Control of Bed Bugs in Rental Dwellings § 22-7-6
Cost to control infestation
Operative Text
(a) Except as provided for in Subsection (b) of this section, if an occupant or the occupant's guest causes an infestation, the occupant shall pay the cost of control and treatment by a licensed pest management professional hired by the landlord for the occupant's rental property. (b) An owner or operator of a senior living community, as defined in Section 22-7-1 of this Code, shall be responsible for the cost of any inspections and necessary treatments of bed bugs by a licensed pest management professional.
Detroit's Ch. 22 Art. VII § 22-7-6 establishes who bears the financial responsibility for bed bug treatment costs in rental dwellings. As a general rule, when an occupant or their guest is the source of an infestation, the cost of professional pest control hired by the landlord falls to that occupant. However, a specific carve-out under § 22-7-6(b) places full financial responsibility for all inspections and treatments on the owner or operator of a senior living community, regardless of how the infestation originated.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Detroit Ch. 22 Art. VII § 22-7-6, compliant landlords and property managers typically document the source of any bed bug infestation carefully before assigning treatment costs to an occupant, since cost-shifting to a tenant is only permitted when the occupant or their guest caused the infestation. Operators of senior living communities as defined in § 22-7-1 are required to absorb all inspection and treatment costs themselves, with no ability to pass those expenses to residents. Maintaining clear records of infestation reports, professional assessments, and treatment invoices is a practice commonly associated with compliance under 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. VII § 22-7-6 gives tenants a basis to contest bed bug treatment charges if they believe they did not cause the infestation, since the ordinance only permits landlords to pass costs to occupants when the occupant or their guest is responsible. Residents of senior living communities have a stronger protection under § 22-7-6(b), as their community's owner or operator is required to cover all inspection and treatment costs without exception. Tenants who believe a charge has been improperly assessed may consider contacting Detroit's building or housing code enforcement office or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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