To sell or buy a home in Dearborn, a Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained prior to closing. A City inspector must complete a pre-sale house 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 seller (or a real estate agent working on their behalf) well in advance of closing. It consists of basic safety and property maintenance inspections to ensure compliance with minimum housing standards. The certificate of occupancy will be issued in the buyer’s name.