DETROIT – Tenants of a building at Sturtevant and Lawton on Detroit’s west side must vacate by Wednesday after city officials deemed the structure unsafe.
The building has no heat, no running water, and other serious problems.
“I told them we don’t mind vacating, but give us time,” said Brittany Rogers, who lives in the building.
Residents report that these unsafe conditions have persisted for an extended period.
Tenant Dawan Siebert said he has had to install “shut off valves, straight pipes” himself.
“You don’t even know who to complain to,” said Will. “Naw. I think it’s something called RealToken,” the tenant replied.
Last summer, the city announced it was targeting RealToken for neglecting more than 400 homes and accumulating half a million dollars in violations.
City officials say the company uses a complex network of different LLCs to avoid responsibility.
“We didn’t get any kind of contact with the owner as far as making those repairs. So we issued an intent to vacate,” said Arthur Rushin, BSEED chief enforcement officer.
RealToken did not respond to requests for comment.
BSEED is focusing on getting problem property owners across the city to bring their buildings into code compliance.
“We are trying to work with landlords to educate them on how to come into compliance, then we go with enforcement,” Rushin said.
The city’s Housing and Revitalization Department is assisting tenants of this building.
“We are here to ensure that residents have a resource to reach out to,” said Chelsea Neblett, Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department chief of housing solutions and supportive services.
Detroit residents can file complaints about unsafe housing conditions through BSEED’s online complaint system.
The process requires completing and submitting a form; city officials will then follow up.
Residents can also call the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520.