GREATER GRAND RAPIDS - LOCAL INFORMATION
There are ordinances that our members have continually asked about in their daily business processing. Some ordinances are strictly local city ordinances that new members may not know about coming from other areas. This is a protected page that allows our members quick access to ordinances they may need to reference on an on going basis. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list but a guide.
City of Grand Rapids
NOV. 2018
Compliance with the City of Grand Rapids Application Ordinance
A residential rental application fee ordinance was adopted by the City of Grand Rapids and will take effect on Wednesday, November 7th, 2018. The ordinance includes the following:
Reminders:
1. If you are not charging an application fee, the ordinance does not apply. Please just continue to follow your practices in compliance with state and federal laws.
2. The ordinance only applies to rental units located in the City of Grand Rapids.
Click HERE to access a presentation that details the rules, compliance and enforcement of the rental application fee.
Click HERE to access the City Manager's Administrative Policy for the Ordinance.
Note from the City: Attached please find the Administrative Policy that provides further guidance on implementation of the Residential Rental Application Fees ordinance. Please note that the policy does not reiterate the full ordinance, so it cannot be used as a stand-alone document.
Adverse Action/Denial Letter:
Three possibilities for providing an adverse action/denial letter depending on one of the these circumstances:
The Property Management Association of West MI (PMAWM) recommends that its multifamily members and non-members review the ordinance with their management company and legal council for the following:
If you have additional questions, please contact PMAWM at (616) 531-5243 or email info@pmawm.com.
- Rules for the collection and return of rental application fees
- Documentation and disclosure requirements (in addition to requirements under state and federal law)
- Advertising and screening requirements
Reminders:
1. If you are not charging an application fee, the ordinance does not apply. Please just continue to follow your practices in compliance with state and federal laws.
2. The ordinance only applies to rental units located in the City of Grand Rapids.
Click HERE to access a presentation that details the rules, compliance and enforcement of the rental application fee.
Click HERE to access the City Manager's Administrative Policy for the Ordinance.
Note from the City: Attached please find the Administrative Policy that provides further guidance on implementation of the Residential Rental Application Fees ordinance. Please note that the policy does not reiterate the full ordinance, so it cannot be used as a stand-alone document.
Adverse Action/Denial Letter:
Three possibilities for providing an adverse action/denial letter depending on one of the these circumstances:
- The applicant is denied because screening criteria was not met.
- The applicant was not screened and the unit is no longer available.
- The applicant was screened and the unit is no longer available.
The Property Management Association of West MI (PMAWM) recommends that its multifamily members and non-members review the ordinance with their management company and legal council for the following:
- Attention notice
- Screening criteria
- Disclosure notices
- Adverse action/Denial letters
If you have additional questions, please contact PMAWM at (616) 531-5243 or email info@pmawm.com.
