Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.474
Cleanliness of dwellings.
Operative Text
Sec. 74. Cleanliness of dwellings. Every dwelling and every part thereof shall be kept clean and shall also be kept free from any accumulation of dirt, filth, rubbish, garbage or other matter in or on the same, or in the yards, courts, passages, areas or alleys connected therewith or belonging to the same. The owner of every dwelling shall be responsible for keeping the entire building free from vermin. The owner shall also be responsible for complying with the provisions of this section except that the tenants shall be responsible for the cleanliness of those parts of the premises that they occupy and control.
Under MCL § 125.474, every dwelling and its associated outdoor spaces must be kept clean and free from accumulations of dirt, filth, rubbish, garbage, and similar matter. Building owners bear responsibility for keeping the entire structure free from vermin and for overall compliance with the section's cleanliness requirements. Tenants, however, share responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in the specific areas they occupy and control.
Plain English — not legal advice.
MCL § 125.474 places the primary compliance burden on property owners, meaning operators of rental dwellings generally maintain pest-free conditions throughout the entire building and ensure common areas, yards, courts, passages, and alleys remain free of accumulated waste and debris. A compliant operator typically establishes routine inspection and cleaning schedules for shared spaces and responds promptly to vermin complaints. Owners should also be aware that even when tenants are responsible for their own units, the owner retains overarching responsibility for the building as a whole.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under MCL § 125.474, tenants are responsible for keeping the portions of the premises they occupy and control in a clean condition, free from dirt, filth, rubbish, and garbage. If a tenant believes an owner is failing to meet their obligations—such as allowing vermin infestations or neglecting common areas—general enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with the local housing or code enforcement authority or contacting a tenant-rights organization for guidance. Documenting conditions with photographs and written communications is a common step tenants take when raising concerns about a landlord's compliance with this provision.
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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