Registering a Rental Property
To register a rental property in Dearborn, a Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained prior to listing a property for rent. A city inspector must complete a rental home inspection to receive a Certificate of Occupancy; afterward, all cited violations must be corrected, and all required repairs must be re-inspected and confirmed by a City inspector.
This inspection should be scheduled by the property owner (or a real estate agent working on their behalf) well in advance of listing the property for rent. It consists of basic safety and property maintenance inspections to ensure compliance with minimum housing standards. The certificate of occupancy will be issued to the property owner.
Schedule a Rental Inspection
Submit an application with payment
A property owner (landlord), their listing agent, or legally appointed Power of Attorney fills out the residential inspection request form and submits it with payment to the Economic Development Department.
Schedule an inspection
City staff will contact you to schedule a time for your inspection. The inspection will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Someone at least 18 years or older must be at your home for the entire inspection.
Prepare for and complete inspection appointment
The City will complete a residential rental inspection and provide you with a detailed report of everything at the property that violates the City code and needs to be corrected.
Complete inspection requirements
A property owner is given one year from the date of the rental inspection to complete all of the requirements identified by the City inspector(s) to become compliant with local building codes. All items listed on the report are considered code violations and must be corrected and reinspected. Inspection reports are valid for one year from the date of the first inspection.
Schedule a re-inspection (if required)
If corrections of violations are required following the first inspection, it is necessary to reschedule a re-inspection with the City once all required repairs have been completed. To obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, which is necessary for renting a property, it is required to first pass a re-inspection.
Get a Certificate of Occupancy
To request a Certificate of Occupancy, contact DBNRentals@dearborn.gov. It must be noted that the property will be listed as a rental.