THURSDAY, JULY 31 — An ordinance requiring Lansing landlords to cover some tenant relocation costs from properties that have been declared unsafe has unanimously passed the City Council after key changes.
The measure, which takes effect immediately, requires landlords either to obtain an insurance policy that covers tenant relocation costs or agree to reimburse the city up to $2,550 for those costs. When landlords apply for or renew a rental certificate, they will now have to either show proof of such a policy, or sign an acknowledgment of the policy.
The ordinance is intended to provide security for renters, who might otherwise be left without a place to live if their homes are red-tagged. Next time a landlord applies for or renews a rental license, they must comply…