DETROIT – A Detroit property management company is advertising homes as available for rent online, even though city records show the properties are not approved rentals.
Coastal Line Investments LLC is listed as the manager for some Detroit properties on a rental website.
A cross-check of the city of Detroit’s rental map, which tells you if a home is approved as a rental, showed that three of those homes are not approved rentals.
The fourth appears in the system as approved, but not in compliance with city requirements.
The same company helped the Granberry family secure a rental with issues.
The family moved into the property Jan. 2 and lived without running water until Jan. 28, flushing the toilet by pouring water into the tank.
The lack of water service was the owner’s responsibility, according to a city worker, who told Local 4 they needed to fix their curb stop valve before the family moved in.
The city of Detroit, due to health and safety concerns, has issued a notice to vacate and is assisting the family with relocation.
When Local 4 contacted Coastal Line Investments about the properties listed on ShowMeTheRent.com, the company, which manages the homes in question, said some still need work before anyone can move in.
The representative also said those homes should not be listed as available.
That statement conflicted with the company’s own online listings, which show the homes as available and, in at least one application, marked as ready for move‑in in December 2025.
A Coastal Line employee referred additional questions to a man identified as Mike with the company.
His calls and text messages went unanswered.
Arthur Rushin, the chief enforcement officer at BSEED, said renters should always check whether a home is approved for rental on the BSEED website and review the tenant rights page.
In addition, they should inspect every inch of the home.
“When they engage with the property owner, the property should be in compliance as far as no chipping and peeling paint, make sure all utilities are on when they look at the property, so there are no issues they can see,” said Rushin.
He also said that if people don’t know what to look for when viewing a home, they should bring someone who does.