Detroit — Ch. 8 Art. XV Div. 3 Requirements for Rental Property (Registration + Lead) § 8-15-84
Landlords and staff required to obtain HUD Visual Assessment Certification; annual inspections
Operative Text
Every landlord shall procure the services of a person who has obtained a current HUD Visual Assessment Certification. Such landlord shall have completed a visual inspection annually, and, upon change of tenant, certify to the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department that a visual assessment has been completed for all units according to the HUD Visual Assessment Guidelines and that all noted hazards have been abated. If the visual inspection reveals cracked or peeling paint, significant dust on a windowsill, or bite marks on a windowsill, a risk assessment shall be performed for the property within one month.
Under Detroit Ch. 8 Art. XV Div. 3 § 8-15-84, every rental property must undergo a visual inspection for lead-related hazards at least once a year and again whenever a tenant changes. The inspection must be conducted by someone holding a current HUD Visual Assessment Certification, and the landlord must certify to the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department that the inspection was completed and any identified hazards were addressed. If the inspection uncovers warning signs such as cracked or peeling paint, significant dust on a windowsill, or bite marks on a windowsill, a full risk assessment must follow within one month.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-15-84, compliant operators retain a currently certified HUD Visual Assessment professional to conduct inspections on an annual schedule and again at each tenant turnover. After each inspection, operators submit certification to the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department confirming that the assessment was completed and that any noted hazards have been abated. When an inspection surfaces indicators such as peeling paint or windowsill dust or bite marks, operators arrange a formal risk assessment within the required one-month window.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-15-84 establishes a right to occupy a unit that has been visually assessed for lead hazards by a HUD-certified professional before move-in and at least annually thereafter. Tenants who have reason to believe an inspection was not performed, or that identified hazards were not abated, may raise this as a concern with the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department, which receives the landlord's certification under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in Detroit can help residents understand what documentation landlords are required to provide and what options exist when a landlord may not be in compliance with § 8-15-84.
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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