Join the Renters Commission!

The C​ity of Ann Arbor is seeking representatives of various renter perspectives to join the Ann Arbor Renters Commission! 

Representatives with perspectives such as student​, youth, low-income, LGBTQ, immigrant, perso​ns with criminal records, persons receiving rental subsidies, experience with cooperative or group housing, experience with tenant advocacy groups, persons who have experienced homelessness, members of historically underrepresented groups, an attorney with experience representing renters and advocating renters' interests. Please note Renters Commission members are not required to be current renters and are not required to live in the City of Ann Arbor.

As you may know, the Renters Commission works to advise the Mayor and City Council about policies, practices, trends, and legislation that impact renters.

To date, the Renters Commission has:

• Drafted amendments to Chapter 105 (Housing Code) to include provisions intended to protect renters. These amendments passed in 2022 and were recently revised. More information

• Created a report on Waitlists and Pre-Tenancy Fees that was provided to City Council and staff. This report is currently being used as a resource for the City of Ann Arbor Attorney's Office and City Council representatives to draft an ordinance amendment related to waitlists and fees.

• Passed a Resolution in Support of Banning Natural Gas Connections in New Construction and Major Renovations.

• Provided valuable feedback to assist with an ordinance update to require carbon monoxide detection in registered rental units.

• Attended the Green Fair in 2022 and 2023 to engage with stakeholders and distribute information.

• Hosted a listening session at Sculpture Plaza in April 2023 to hear from stakeholders. 

• Invited representatives from groups such as Rental Housing Services, Avalon Housing, the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission, the Fair Housing Center of Southeast and Mid-Michigan, to educate commissioners and build community relationships.

Upcoming Plans

• Summer engagement/tabling events.

• Additional Commissioner education sessions from groups such as City of Ann Arbor Rental Housing Services, City of Ann Arbor Planning Services, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development, and more! 

• Advising on amendments to Chapter 105.

• Supporting a City Charter Amendment to improve the efficacy of the Rights and Duties of Tenants Booklet. 

For more detailed plans for 2024, view the Renters Commission Workplan for 2024.

Time Commitment:

• The Renters Commission holds one regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. Attending the meeting and reviewing materials to prepare for the meeting takes approximately 5 hours each month.

• The Renters Commission also has committees and working groups to work directly on topics such as tenant/stakeholder education and enforcement/ordinance review. 

If serving on the Renters Commission sounds like a good fit for you, please consider applying! Beginning this spring, the Renters Commission will have 5 vacancies for voting members. The appointment process requires two City Council meetings (at least 4 weeks), so don’t delay!​

Interested? Click to Apply