From demand letter to lawsuit — why the Detroit Tenant Union is suing a local court to protect renters

While Detroit law says a landlord cannot rent a home until it’s been deemed livable by city inspectors, 86% of Detroit’s landlords are operating illegally as they have failed to secure Certificates of Compliance for their properties. Last week, the Detroit Tenants Union, with support from several legal groups in the city, filed a lawsuit, alleging the 36th District Court chief judge has “failed to perform a clear and legal duty” because the court’s rulings contradict city law, effectively leaving residents vulnerable rather than upholding the statutes protecting them.

Professor Donovan McCarty is the director of Michigan State University College of Law’s Housing Justice Clinic and counsel for the Detroit Tenants Union. He joined The Metro’s Robyn Vincent to discuss why he believes the court is falling short, and how it needs to be held accountable.

The 36th District Court did not respond to The Metro's request for comment.

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