LANSING, Mich. — A new ordinance introduced in Lansing seeks to hold landlords accountable for unsafe rental properties by requiring them to take financial responsibility for displaced tenants. Under the proposed measures, landlords whose properties are red-tagged, meaning deemed unsafe to live in, may be required to cover the cost of temporary housing for tenants, including hotel accommodations.
The ordinance, introduced by Lansing City Councilmember Ryan Kost, aims to address ongoing concerns regarding unsafe living conditions in some rental properties throughout the city. Kost, who also serves as the city council president, explained that the goal of the legislation is to empower tenants to speak up about unsafe conditions without fear of being left without a place to stay.
“Time and time again, we’ve seen residents living in red-tagged homes that are incredibly unsafe, but they’re afraid to report it because they don’t have anywhere else to go,” Kost said in an interview with 6 News. “That’s a problem, and this ordinance seeks to address it.”
Currently, under Lansing city law, properties that are red-tagged are considered uninhabitable. The two draft ordinances presented by Kost would impose new requirements on landlords. The first ordinance would require landlords to obtain an insurance rider that covers the cost of temporarily housing displaced tenants. Kost emphasized that the insurance rider would be relatively inexpensive for landlords to obtain.
The second ordinance targets landlords who fail to secure the insurance rider, mandating that they pay the city fees to house tenants for up to 30 days in a hotel. This provision is designed to ensure that tenants are not left without shelter if their home is deemed unsafe.
The need for such measures became evident two years ago, when the city of Lansing red-tagged the Holmes Apartments. Tenants were relocated to other properties owned by Simtob Management, but those units were also found to be non-compliant with housing codes. As a result, the city was forced to foot the bill for housing displaced residents in hotels. After the city filed a lawsuit, Simtob Management settled and reimbursed the city for its costs while bringing many of its properties into compliance with housing regulations.
Additionally, the city has taken legal action against other landlords, including the owners of Sycamore Townhomes in south Lansing, who are facing lawsuits for widespread code violations. The city has also filed multiple lawsuits against landlord Christian Nwobu for failing to maintain properties in accordance with Lansing Housing Code standards.
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor expressed his support for the proposed ordinances, noting the importance of holding bad landlords accountable for their actions.
“As I said in my State of the City speech, bad landlords are on notice,” Schor said in a statement. “I’m pleased to see the City Council introducing ordinances that can help protect residents who are victimized by irresponsible landlords. I fully support this idea and look forward to working with the Council on the legal implementation of this ordinance once it passes.”
The proposed ordinances are part of a broader effort by the Schor administration to strengthen code enforcement and address housing violations. Schor has also advocated for state legislation that would give municipalities across Michigan the ability to implement similar measures without the risk of costly legal challenges.
Kost emphasized that the city is serious about tackling housing issues and holding landlords accountable. “We’re not playing around anymore,” he said. “Enforcement is in place.”
If passed, these ordinances would provide tenants with greater protection and ensure that landlords take responsibility for the safety and well-being of their renters. With the city taking a firm stance on unsafe housing conditions, Lansing residents may soon have more support when facing the difficult situation of living in a red-tagged home.
