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Owners of mice-infested Inkster apartment building facing possible fines, jail time

Posted at 6:30 PM, Mar 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-20 18:30:05-04

"Every morning I wake up, there’s mice droppings behind my microwave. It’s all on the side, all behind it," said Shanice Fowler, a tenant at Cherry Hill Club Apartments, of a mice infestation.

Fowler's complaint is the latest in a string of grievances issued by tenants to 7 Action News.

7 Action news first responded to complaints over a lack on heat in November. Tenants said they were forced to use their stove and oven to keep warm amidst frigid temperatures.

The problem was fixed, for the majority of residents, but the tenants said problems in other areas began to develop. Flooding, mold, and a mice infestation were just some of the problems cited.

Tenants said there were little to no repairs done when complaints were issued. The city of Inkster told 7 Action News, at least two dozen housing violations had been served to the owners, Wael and Abdul Reda. But despite the violations, the city says the majority of the problems have persisted.

So 7 Action News got back on the case, reaching out to the property group and the owners. No one could be reached by phone or in person.

The city told 7 Action News that because of the lack of repairs from management, the owners are facing steep penalties, a misdemeanor of non compliance which carries a penalty of 180 days in jail and a $10,000 fine for each day the building is in violation.

The owners are expected to face a judge in court, but that court date has yet to be determined.

If there is no resolve and repairs going forward, the city said the building could be condemned, and closed down.