Detroit Orders Tenants to Vacate Unsafe West Side Building

Residents must leave by Wednesday due to lack of heat, running water, and other serious issues.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Tenants of a building on Detroit's west side have been ordered by the city to vacate the unsafe structure by Wednesday. The building has no heat, no running water, and other serious problems that have persisted for an extended period, according to residents. The city has targeted the property owner, RealToken, for neglecting more than 400 homes and accumulating half a million dollars in violations, but the company has not responded to requests for comment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Detroit faces with neglectful property owners and the impact on vulnerable residents living in unsafe conditions. The city is working to hold landlords accountable and assist tenants, but the complex web of LLCs used by some owners makes it difficult to enforce compliance.

The details

The building, located at Sturtevant and Lawton, has been deemed unsafe by city officials. Residents report having to install their own 'shut off valves, straight pipes' to address the lack of running water. The city's Building, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) issued an intent to vacate after failing to get in contact with the owner, RealToken, to make the necessary repairs. RealToken, which the city says uses a complex network of LLCs to avoid responsibility, did not respond to requests for comment.

  • On Wednesday, tenants must vacate the unsafe building.
  • Last summer, the city announced it was targeting RealToken for neglecting more than 400 homes and accumulating half a million dollars in violations.

The players

RealToken

A property management company that the city says uses a complex network of different LLCs to avoid responsibility for neglecting more than 400 homes and accumulating half a million dollars in violations.

Brittany Rogers

A tenant in the unsafe building who says she and other residents don't mind vacating, but want more time.

Dawan Siebert

A tenant in the unsafe building who has had to install 'shut off valves, straight pipes' himself to address the lack of running water.

Arthur Rushin

The chief enforcement officer of the Building, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), which issued the intent to vacate order.

Chelsea Neblett

The chief of housing solutions and supportive services at the Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department, which is assisting tenants of the unsafe building.

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What they’re saying

“I told them we don't mind vacating, but give us time.”

— Brittany Rogers, Tenant (clickondetroit.com)

“You don't even know who to complain to. Naw. I think it's something called RealToken.”

— Will, Tenant (clickondetroit.com)

“We didn't get any kind of contact with the owner as far as making those repairs. So we issued an intent to vacate.”

— Arthur Rushin, BSEED Chief Enforcement Officer (clickondetroit.com)

“We are here to ensure that residents have a resource to reach out to.”

— Chelsea Neblett, Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department Chief of Housing Solutions and Supportive Services (clickondetroit.com)

What’s next

The city's Housing and Revitalization Department is assisting tenants of this building to ensure they have resources and support during the relocation process.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Detroit faces with neglectful property owners and the impact on vulnerable residents living in unsafe conditions. The city is working to hold landlords accountable and assist tenants, but the complex web of LLCs used by some owners makes it difficult to enforce compliance.