Tenant Watch is a mobile-first platform that empowers renters to report unsafe housing conditions and enables cities to monitor violations, enforce codes, and improve housing equity through data-driven oversight.

When did it begin? Tenant Watch was conceptualized and formally developed in May 2025, in response to firsthand experiences with unsafe rental housing and a lack of effective legal recourse. It began as a community-driven initiative designed to fill the critical gap in tenant protections and housing code enforcement through technology.

Who’s it for? Tenant Watch is designed for:

Renters, especially those in vulnerable housing situations who need a secure, legally sound way to report issues and access support.

City governments and code enforcement departments, to streamline complaint management and track housing violations.

Legal aid organizations, who can use the platform to engage and support clients more efficiently.

Responsible landlords, who want to demonstrate compliance and build trust with tenants through transparency and certification.

What impact has it had? Although in early stages, Tenant Watch has already:

Attracted interest from policymakers (including a formal funding request submitted to Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s office under the FY2026 Community Project Funding initiative).

Generated strategic outreach to housing justice advocates, legal service providers, and city departments across Southeast Michigan.

Provided a blueprint for integrating tools such as a Landlord University, rent escrow, and a municipal dashboard—laying the foundation for long-term systemic change.

Positioned itself as a scalable solution to reduce code enforcement backlogs, support equitable housing, and empower renters with real-time tools.

How can people help? Supporters can help Tenant Watch by:

Partnering as pilot cities, nonprofit collaborators, or advocacy allies.

Providing funding or grants to support platform development, outreach, and integration.

Promoting awareness of the app among housing-insecure populations or advocacy networks.

Contributing expertise to refine features like the Landlord University or legal content.