Certificate of Occupancy, what is it?

What its it?

Some of you may be familiar with the term C of O, this is an inspection of your home and furnace focusing mainly on safety features ( GFI', Smoke detectors, etc) in some cities in Michigan a c of o is required before the purchase of a home/ to move in. generally its 2 different inspections for the furnace and home, if you've gotten your furnace safety inspected close to the time of sale, call the guys who came out and ask if they are compliant with the city inspection for furnace, if they're they should be able to sign off the paperwork without having to complete and buy another one.

How to Schedule it?

If you're working with a realtor they usually schedule it for you, if not you can go onto the city website and find the Certificate of occupany form to order it, after completion either the agent or yourself will pick it up from city hall, (below is a link to Westlands C of O forms and)

https://www.cityofwestland.com/550/Buying-or-Selling-a-Home

What does it cost me?

The furnace inspection will vary depending upon who you choose (make sure they're complaint with C of O and city!) for your home inspection in Westland for a single family home will cost around $193. Each city is going to differ based on price.

What are they looking for when they come?

Exterior

- Address numbers

- Clean safe and sanitary

- Weeds

- Rodents

- Structures maintained (garage, sheds, fences etc.)

- Swimming pools

- Sidewalk & Driveways

- Foundation Wall

- Stairs, Porch and Balconies

- Handrails

- Windows and Door frames

- Every door and window w/ a screen

Interior

- Interior Surfaces

- Interior doors

- Heating & Fireplaces

- Electrical

- Receptacles ( GFI protectors in outlets near water)

- Emergency Escape Openings

- Smoke Alarms

- Laundry tub secure to floor

- Kitchen

- Bathroom

- Dryer Vent

Which Metro Detroit Cities require it?

If your city is not listed feel free to contact me in the bottom right for more info!

- Westland ($198)

- Livonia ( if vacant 28 days or more) ($400)

- Farmington ( if foreclosed or abandoned) ($150)

- Garden City ( $200)

- Inkster ($225 bond for certificate or insp. for closing, $200 will be retuned after closing)

- Taylor ($150 only good for 6 months)

- Wayne (if not inspected within 3 years of changing ownership) ($200) ( tenant can move in with a temporary C of O ($25))

- Canton ( vacant homes only)

- Plymouth ( only new construction)

- Northville ( only new construction)

- Dearborn ($200)

- Dearborn Heights ($200)