Tenants’ lawyers say Detroit court is handling evictions wrong

June 12, 2026

The Detroit Tenants Union is challenging how the city's 36th District Court enforces rental compliance laws in eviction proceedings, specifically regarding certificates of compliance (CoC) that landlords must obtain before legally collecting rent. Only 14% of Detroit rental properties currently have the required CoC, which verifies properties meet minimum habitability standards, yet the court treats this requirement as a tenant defense rather than a prerequisite for judgment. The tenants union and their attorneys sent a demand letter to the court's chief judge requesting administrative changes to ensure landlords prove CoC compliance before judges rule on eviction cases, threatening to escalate the matter to Wayne County Circuit Court if necessary.

Who is affected

Detroit renters, particularly the 150 members of the Detroit Tenants Union and four unnamed renters named in the demand letter
Landlords and rental property owners in Detroit, including the 2,000+ members of the Rental Property Owners Association of Michigan
36th District Court Chief Judge William McConico and court staff
Approximately 86% of Detroit rental property owners who lack certificates of compliance
Detroit City Council members, including At-Large Member Mary Waters
Nonprofit and legal aid organizations (United Community Housing Coalition, Lakeshore Legal Aid, Michigan Legal Services, Sugar Law Center, Detroit Justice Center)

What action is being taken

The Detroit Tenants Union and their attorneys sent a demand letter to 36th District Court Chief Judge William McConico on June 11
The court is reviewing the letter before responding
Lawyers for the tenants' union are planning to file a complaint in Wayne County Circuit Court soon
The tenants group and attorneys are attempting to start a dialogue with the court before taking the matter to Wayne County Circuit Court
The court is currently collecting certificates of compliance during the eviction filing stage

Why it matters

This challenge addresses a significant public health and safety issue in Detroit, where 86% of rental properties lack required certificates of compliance that ensure minimum habitability standards. The current court practice allows landlords to collect rent and obtain eviction judgments even without valid CoCs, undermining the city's rental ordinance designed to protect tenants from unsafe living conditions. If successful, this effort could substantially improve enforcement of rental compliance laws, increase landlord accountability, and potentially transform living conditions for thousands of Detroit renters while setting a precedent for how courts enforce local housing regulations. The dispute also highlights the tension between tenant protections and the practical challenges small landlords face in navigating compliance requirements.

What's next

The 36th District Court will complete its review of the demand letter and provide a response
Lawyers for the tenants' union plan to file a complaint in Wayne County Circuit Court soon, asking the higher court to compel the 36th District Court to comply with the ordinance
The tenants group and attorneys will attempt to resolve the issue through administrative action and dialogue with the court before proceeding with litigation

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com