Lansing — Ch. 1460 Rental Properties (§§ 1460.44–1460.52) § 1460.49

(a) General. Rental dwellings or units required by this Code to be registered shall not be occupied unless a certificate of compliance has been issued by the Office of Code Compliance. The certificate of compliance shall be issued only after an inspection of the premises has been conducted by the Office of Code Compliance; appropriate fees have been paid; the owner or their agent has provided proof of a valid insurance policy, carried by the owner or tenant, providing coverage for tenant relocation costs; and there are no delinquent real property taxes owed upon the premises. After inspection, the Office of Code Compliance shall not issue a certificate when the existing conditions constitute a hazard to the health or safety of those who may occupy the premises. If at the time of application, the owner does not have proof of insurance, a certificate of compliance may be issued only with written acknowledgement by the owner of the requirements and obligations of Section 1460.51 of this Code of Ordinances. Two copies of the certificate shall be issued within 30 days after written application has been made, an inspection has been conducted and a determination has been made that the property meets the requirements of this Code. One copy of the certificate shall be prominently displayed in the front entrance area of the rental dwelling in dwellings containing one or more rental units when any rental unit in the dwelling is vacant. If both rental units are rented then the certificate need only be kept on the premises and made available at the request of tenants or government officials. Any rental property with three or more rental units must prominently display the certificate in the front entrance area of the rental dwelling.
(b) Occupancy if Violation is Found. Upon a finding that there is a violation of this Code, but that the existing violation does not constitute any unsafe condition, occupancy may continue at the discretion of the Manager of Code Compliance. Allowing continued occupancy shall not nullify or otherwise effect the enforcement of any violations of this Code.
(c) No Certificate or Expiration of Certificate. Prior to the issuance of initial certificate or the expiration of a Certificate of Compliance, the Office of Code Compliance shall notify by regular first class mail, the registered owner and the registered agent, to arrange for a certification inspection. The registered owner shall be responsible for arranging an initial certification inspection within the time specified to register the rental dwelling in Section 1460.44 (c) (Time allowed to register). The registered owner shall also be responsible for arranging for all certification inspections required thereafter prior to the expiration date on the certificate. If the registered owner fails to schedule a certification inspection before the expiration of the existing Certificate of Compliance, the fees for the certification inspection will be doubled.
(d) Lack of Valid Certificate or Unregistered Rental Dwelling. If the owner or agent has not registered the rental dwelling or paid the appropriate fees or arranged an initial certification inspection, the Office of Code Compliance shall issue a notice of lack of valid Certificate of Compliance to the owner and the occupants of each unit. If the registered owner or registered agent has not paid the appropriate inspection fees, or arranged a certification inspection, after a valid Certificate of Compliance has expired, the Office of Code Compliance shall issue a notice of lack of valid Certificate of Compliance to the registered owner and registered agent and the occupant of each unit. The notice shall state:
(1) That the dwelling does not have a valid Certificate of Compliance.
(2) That it is unlawful for any vacant unit to be reoccupied or rented.
(3) That current tenants may be entitled to escrow rent moneys as provided for under state law.
(4) That a placard containing this information may be posted on the dwelling and may not be removed until a new Certificate of Compliance is issued.
(5) That the registered owner, registered agent or occupant may arrange for a certification inspection.
(6) That if the certification inspection has not been scheduled and if the registration and inspection fees have not been paid, the Manager of Code Compliance may order the structure vacated within 30 days.