First steps for a tenant
If you rent and water starts to spread, stop the source if you can do it safely, keep out of wet areas near power and call your landlord or property manager right away. Then document the damage with photos and video.
Put the report in writing, such as an email or a text, so there is a record of when you told them. Keep copies of everything.
First steps for a landlord
A landlord should respond quickly, shut off the source, arrange extraction and drying and keep the tenant informed. Notify your insurer and keep records of what you did and when.
If a tenant's belongings were damaged, they should call their own renters insurer. Landlord policies usually cover the building and not the tenant's contents.
Who is responsible for what
| Item | Usually handled by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Structure, walls, floors, plumbing | Landlord | Covered by the landlord's insurer if the loss qualifies. |
| Tenant belongings | Tenant's renters insurance | Landlord policy rarely covers contents. |
| Cause caused by a tenant | May fall on the tenant | Depends on the lease and the facts. |
| Drying and repair | Landlord arranges | Tenant gives access. |
| Temporary housing | Depends on lease and insurance | Ask early. |
What the Michigan statute says
Michigan law, at MCL 554.139, says a landlord covenants that the premises and common areas are fit for the intended use and that the landlord will keep the premises in reasonable repair during the lease. It also requires compliance with applicable health and safety laws, with an exception where the tenant caused the problem through willful or irresponsible conduct or failure to act.
That means a landlord has a duty to repair a leak that makes a unit unfit, but facts matter. Ask a tenant rights organization or an attorney about your situation, because this is general information and not legal advice.
Documenting for both sides
- Photos and video of damage before anything is moved.
- Dated messages about when the problem was reported.
- Names of anyone who inspected the unit.
- Receipts for emergency costs and lodging.
- A list of damaged belongings with approximate values.
If the landlord does not respond
Send a second written notice and keep the first. If the unit is unsafe or the leak keeps spreading, ask your city about inspection options and consider contacting a tenant rights organization or an attorney.
Take photos on each visit, and note any new damage. Do not withhold rent or make major repairs on your own without advice, because the rules can be complicated and the consequences serious.
Moving out, temporary housing and deposits
If the unit cannot be lived in during repairs, ask in writing about temporary housing, rent adjustments and how long the work is expected to take. Renters insurance may cover additional living costs, so check your policy.
Document the condition of the unit when you leave, including photos of any repaired areas, so a deposit dispute does not follow a water loss.
The standard both sides can point to
The ANSI/IICRC S500 standard is the published industry reference for professional water damage restoration. Tenants and landlords can both use its terms, such as water category, to describe what happened.
It is a shared vocabulary and not a certificate. Written notice and photos still come first.
Romulus note: public facts about local storms
Romulus note: official facts
The National Weather Service reported 3.31 inches of rain in Romulus in about an hour and a half on July 28, 2025, with flooded roads and downed power lines across the area. Storms like that can flood ground floor and basement units, so renters should know where their landlord's emergency number is.
Michigan DIFS advises taking pictures or video of damage and keeping damaged items until the insurer tells you otherwise, which applies to renters and landlords alike.
How restoration works in a rental
A restoration team can work with the landlord or property manager, who usually authorizes the work, and can document the loss for the owner's insurer. We explain scope and price before work starts, and the written scope and readings help with disputes later.
Our pages on water extraction and commercial water damage describe the process, and landlords in Belleville and Garden City can call the 24/7 line.
Communication tips that avoid fights
Keep messages short and factual, say what you saw and when, and ask what the next step is and by when. If you do not get a reply, follow up in writing and keep the thread.
If you are a landlord, tell your tenant what is happening and give an honest timeline. People take disruption better when they know what to expect.
Common questions
Usually the landlord or property manager, who authorizes the work. A tenant should report the damage right away in writing.
Usually no. A renters policy covers a tenant's contents, so ask your insurer.
MCL 554.139 says the landlord covenants that the premises are fit for use and in reasonable repair, with exceptions where the tenant caused the problem. Check with an attorney for your case.
It depends on safety. Ask your landlord and, if conditions seem unsafe, ask the city about inspection options.
Report it in writing, document the damage and ask your landlord for the plan. The National Weather Service logged 3.31 inches in about an hour and a half in Romulus that day.