Ann Arbor council bans rental "junk fees," tightens snow-emergency rules, commission hears

Councilmember Chris Watson told the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission at its Jan. 8 meeting that the City Council approved an ordinance banning large “wait-list” rental fees and revised the snow-emergency ordinance to allow the administrator more discretion during severe storms.

The council’s rental ordinance prohibits the common practice of charging large fees to hold a place on a waiting list, Watson said. “We are still allowing a $50 application fee but it has to be refundable if you don't get the unit,” Councilmember Chris Watson said, describing the change as intended to cover administrative costs while restoring applicants’ funds if they do not lease the unit.

Watson said the new rule responds to student and renter complaints that some landlords were charging $100 to $500 to hold an applicant’s place on a list. He said council members Regina Harrison, Cornell Bridal and others cosponsored the ordinance.

Watson also summarized changes to the city’s snow-emergency ordinance. He said the amendment was intended to make the ordinance usable in practice, giving the city administrator discretion to require cars be moved off streets in a serious snow situation so plows can safely clear roads. “It had only ever been used, I think, twice in Ann Arbor's history,” Watson said, adding the change includes a multi-year rollout and exemptions for some downtown areas.

Why it matters: Human Rights Commission members said the rental ordinance ties to the commission’s work because rental fees can affect people using housing vouchers, students and others who face barriers finding housing. Changes to snow-emergency rules may affect residents’ ability to access streets and services during severe weather.

The City Council report was presented to the commission as an informational update; the commission did not take formal action on the council ordinances during the meeting.