How to File a Complaint Against a Michigan Landlord

If a dispute arises between you and your landlord, what do you do? In this article, we go over different ways you can file a complaint against your landlord, including (1) sending a formal letter to your landlord, (2) filing a government complaint with either a federal or Michigan government agency that regulates landlords, (3) filing a BBB complaint, and (4) suing in small claims court.

Did you know we have a free tool powered by AI that helps you create a complaint letter to a landlord? Check out our complaint letter tool.

Here are some common complaints people have against landlords: 

• Your landlord refuses to return your security deposit after you move out. 

• The terms under your lease have been breached. For example, your landlord increases the rent before the lease term was over, breaching the terms of the lease agreement.

• Your landlord has breached Michigan’s implied warranty of habitability. Warranty of habitability means that regardless of any contradicting lease term, your landlord is required to keep your unit in a habitable condition at all times. 

• You are being harassed by the landlord. 

• You experienced discrimination based on your race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, familial status, etc. For example, you were denied renting an apartment due to your gender.

• Your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs to the rental unit as per the lease terms. 

• Your landlord refuses to do anything about excessive noise or other issues you are having with your neighbors.

If the unit you rented is outside of Michigan, review our guides for other states.  

For some issues, it may be worth speaking to the landlord directly.

If you've never had issues with your rental before but now have complaints about common spaces, security deposit disputes, or other issues, start by sharing your concerns through email or phone. If they ignore your informal requests, consider writing a formal letter, like a demand letter or complaint letter, as this way, you can outline your requests in the letter, and notify your landlord that you will seek further action if the issue is not resolved.

Here are some other reasons why you should consider sending a formal letter to your landlord:

1. Proof that you tried to resolve the problem out of court. If you end up filing a small claims action against your landlord, the judge in your case may ask you at your small claims hearing if you sent your landlord a demand letter before suing. By sending a written demand letter, there is a record of your attempt to settle that you can demonstrate to the judge.

2. You may resolve the problem without going to court. A demand letter signals to your landlord that you are serious about the problem and willing to take action to resolve the problem. They know that it is cheaper to resolve the problem out of court so they may agree to resolve the problem. 

3. Many city or government agencies would like to see that you tried to resolve the problem on your own before filing a complaint. You can provide your formal letter as proof of your efforts. 

Did you know we have a free tool powered by AI that helps you create a complaint letter to a landlord? Check out our complaint letter tool.

Here is a video on how our complaint letter tool works:

If you're wondering where to complain about a private landlord, you have options. Consider filing a complaint about housing discrimination or landlords who receive assistance from the federal government to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”).

HUD is a United States federal agency (HUD is also described as a cabinet department). HUD is responsible for addressing America's housing needs, enforcing fair housing laws, and more. For example, HUD runs the Multifamily Housing Complaint Line, which enables tenants of HUD-insured and -assisted properties to report complaints such as poor maintenance, dangers to health and safety, mismanagement, and fraud.

Below are instructions for how to report a bad landlord to HUD:

• To report a bad landlord to the Multifamily Housing Complaint Line, call toll-free at (800) MULTI-70 (800) 685-8470) / TTY (800) 432-2209.

• Complaints of housing discrimination are handled by the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (an office under HUD) at 1-800-669-9777.

You can also file a complaint against a landlord with a local government department in the city or county where the property is located. Below we have provided information on how to report a landlord or apartment complex to a local housing authority, state or city agency, or various rental commissions in Michigan. 

File a Complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR)

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) enforces fair housing laws and investigates housing discrimination complaints. You can file a complaint online here or by calling 1-800-482-3604. Further information can be found by calling 313-456-3700 or emailing [email protected]. 

File a Complaint with the City of Detroit’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED)

The City of Detroit’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) processes rental complaints regarding building safety for Detroit tenants. You can file your complaint online by filling out this online form. 

File a Complaint with the City of Lansing’s Human Relations and Community Services Department

The City of Lansing’s Human Relations and Community Services Department assists tenants by processing tenant complaints and mediating tenant-landlord disputes. Lansing residents and renters can complete this online form to start the complaint process. You can also call 517-483-4019 for further assistance. 

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-profit that serves as an intermediary between landlords and consumers. You will not find an individual landlord on the BBB. The larger the landlord you rented from, the more likely they are to be found on the BBB. 

Reasons why a large landlord would respond to a BBB complaint: 

1. If the landlord is accredited with the BBB and doesn't respond to a BBB complaint, its accreditation may be revoked, and the complaint becomes part of its BBB profile.

2. Landlords know that a BBB rating can be an important determining factor when a prospective renter is deciding to rent with that landlord.

Learn how to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Have you filed a complaint with one of the above organizations or state/city agencies and still have not been able to resolve your landlord/tenant issue? It may be time to consider suing your landlord in Michigan Small Claims Court Small claims courts handle a variety of issues related to landlord/tenant disputes.

Did you know we have a free tool powered by AI that helps you create a complaint letter to a landlord? Check out our complaint letter tool.