Escrow Ordinance and Renters Rights a Focus in Uplifting Pontiac
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 22, 2024)
Pontiac, MI – In August 2023, Pontiac enacted a new ordinance to help protect renters from negligent landlords. It gives tenants the right to place rent payments in escrow with the city if the landlord has not registered their property as a rental or is behind on passing inspection.
If a landlord remedies the issue(s), within 30 days, the rent is passed on to them. If they do not, them money is returned to the tenant, and the escrow payments continue in that way until the landlord is compliant.
While the ordinance does not address all circumstances where a landlord and tenant may disagree, it provides a basic level of protection ensuring that homes meet minimum requirement such as heat, safe electricity, water, and structurally sound shelter.
The ordinance, as well as existing state laws, protect renters from retaliation. Landlords must go through a court process to evict someone, and if they evict someone right after they make a complaint, it could be considered retaliation and the resident is protected.
Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, along with others from the city and local housing and rental advocate organizations that serve the Pontiac held a town hall on January 20th at the Bowen Center to explain the new ordinance as well as share other facts that renters may find useful in protecting their rights.
There are two more town halls scheduled:
Mon. Jan 29 5:30 to 7:30pm Robert Bowens Center 52 Bagley Street
Thurs. Feb 1 11am to 1pm Pontiac City Hall 47450 Woodward
The City estimates that over 7,000 properties in the city may be rentals that are unregistered. City-wide, 64% of the population are renters, and officials have them in mind as the create policies. “We in Pontiac believe in the dignity and quality of life for all our residents,” Mayor Greimel said.
Since the ordinance began, there have been about 50 residents who have participated. Greimel said that even knowing that an ordinance such as this exists has prompted more landlords to come forward to register their properties and get their inspections up to date.
Pontiac has also invested more in code enforcement. They’ve moved rental inspections from the building department to code enforcement, which has a larger staff and is already out in the neighborhoods looking for signs of property violations already.
“This went from a staff of four to a staff of 15,” said Jack McIntyre who is the Code Enforcement Manager. “There is one dedicated inspector for every district.”
Mikal Goodman who is the Councilperson for Pontiac’s Third District, had campaigned on the issue of tenant’s rights. “I grew up on Section 8,” Goodman said. “I know what it’s like to deal with these run down living spaces.”
Not only has he worked with the Mayor’s Office and local organizations on legislative solutions, he’s been out in the community listening to stories and helping where he can.
Speaking of Councilperson Goodman, the speaker from Lakeshore Legal Aid told the audience, “You should be very proud of your city… The first time a saw a City Council person show up in court with a resident.”
The next steps are continuing on with the Tenant Rights Town Halls, and expanding the ordinance to include co-ops.
Those wishing to learn more about the escrow ordinance can learn more on the City of Pontiac’s Code Enforcement page, or contact the department.
Also check out the Oakland County Times story “Renters Rights – 15 Things Tenants Should Know”
For more info on the upcoming Tenant Rights Town Halls, visit https://publuu.com/flip-book/239283/765933/page/4
