A Public Storage facility in Royal Oak is facing complaints from tenants who report their stored belongings are covered in mold. This follows a previous report regarding similar issues at a Public Storage indoor, climate-controlled unit Downriver, indicating a recurring problem for customers.
Brittany Bacinski, a tenant at the Royal Oak location, discovered white mold over her family’s items when she returned to her unit at the end of September. Bacinski had rented the climate-controlled unit for the summer, intending for it to keep her belongings safe while her family spent time on Lake Michigan. She chose the climate-controlled option as it was not significantly more expensive than an outdoor unit, and she wanted to prevent items from melting in extreme heat.
Bacinski had cleared an entire home and placed a wide range of personal possessions into the unit, including baby blankets and first toys from her children, items she described as having significant sentimental value. She stated that things seemed fine throughout the summer, but upon uncovering her possessions in late September, she observed white mold spreading across furniture and other items. Bacinski also noted that she began sneezing frequently due to the mold after discovering it.
Bacinski further indicated that she spoke with other individuals renting units in the same Royal Oak facility who also reported finding mold on their stored belongings. This suggests a potentially broader issue affecting multiple tenants at the Royal Oak site.
Prior to Sunday, Bacinski stated that she had made multiple attempts to contact Public Storage regarding the damage to her property. She reached out via email and spoke directly with the general manager of the facility, but reported that “no one is willing to help me.” She also indicated that she had submitted multiple claims to the company regarding the damage to her possessions.
Local 4, which had previously reported on the Downriver mold complaints, also attempted to contact Public Storage for comment on the Royal Oak situation. Kyla Russell of Local 4 reached out via email last Thursday but had not received a response. A Local 4 reporter also attempted to speak with an employee at the Royal Oak facility in person. The reporter noted that an employee was seen inside the office, but the doors were subsequently locked, preventing direct communication with staff inside.
When asked what she would say to someone from Public Storage who could resolve the issue, Bacinski urged them to “do the right thing.” She emphasized the personal value of the items, some of which are irreplaceable due to their sentimental significance. Bacinski expressed that tenants are not seeking an excessive amount, but rather the worth of their damaged belongings, along with some compassion and understanding for the situation. She highlighted that people work hard for their possessions and that some items, like her children's baby blankets and first toys, hold unique memories that cannot be recovered.
