Detroit's Leland House Tenants Left in the Dark as Bankruptcy Case Proceeds Without Them
A federal bankruptcy judge has raised serious concerns about whether the displaced tenants of Detroit's historic Leland House were properly notified or included in the court proceedings affecting their homes and belongings. US Bankruptcy Judge Maria Oxholm adjourned a hearing on residents' request to reconsider a court order allowing only moving contractors, rather than the tenants themselves, to enter the 22-story building at 400 Bagley Street to remove personal property.
The issue came to light after an earlier December order authorized bankruptcy funds for repairs and utility stabilization but was later redirected, without notice to tenants, towards removing residents' belongings instead. Patrick Foley, attorney representing residents through the Leland House Tenants Union, argued that there were fundamental notice and due process failures. He told the court that the shift in direction was a major change that occurred without serving or hearing from tenants.
The city of Detroit opposed the tenants' motion, characterizing their request as frivolous, while also taking a hard line against allowing residents to re-enter the historic building. However, Judge Oxholm declined to rule against the tenants and expressed concern about the lack of notice to them and their exclusion from the proceedings.
The case highlights the plight of the Leland House tenants who were forced out of their homes in December after an electrical equipment failure knocked out power, heat, and elevators. Tenants claim they were told that the displacement would be temporary and that they could access their apartments to retrieve their belongings, but instead have been locked out as the bankruptcy case moves forward.
The hearing comes days after Judge Oxholm halted a proposed fast-track auction of the Leland House and an adjacent parking lot, rejecting the owner's attempt to quickly sell the property while multiple disputes over tenant rights remain unresolved. The building filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 3, more than two years after its longtime owner, Michael Higgins, passed away in 2023.
As the case continues, tensions between the tenants and the city of Detroit remain high, with both sides refusing to back down. For the residents, the issue is not just about retrieving their belongings but also about being treated fairly and having their voices heard in the bankruptcy proceedings. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of the Leland House and its long-standing residents.
A federal bankruptcy judge has raised serious concerns about whether the displaced tenants of Detroit's historic Leland House were properly notified or included in the court proceedings affecting their homes and belongings. US Bankruptcy Judge Maria Oxholm adjourned a hearing on residents' request to reconsider a court order allowing only moving contractors, rather than the tenants themselves, to enter the 22-story building at 400 Bagley Street to remove personal property.
The issue came to light after an earlier December order authorized bankruptcy funds for repairs and utility stabilization but was later redirected, without notice to tenants, towards removing residents' belongings instead. Patrick Foley, attorney representing residents through the Leland House Tenants Union, argued that there were fundamental notice and due process failures. He told the court that the shift in direction was a major change that occurred without serving or hearing from tenants.
The city of Detroit opposed the tenants' motion, characterizing their request as frivolous, while also taking a hard line against allowing residents to re-enter the historic building. However, Judge Oxholm declined to rule against the tenants and expressed concern about the lack of notice to them and their exclusion from the proceedings.
The case highlights the plight of the Leland House tenants who were forced out of their homes in December after an electrical equipment failure knocked out power, heat, and elevators. Tenants claim they were told that the displacement would be temporary and that they could access their apartments to retrieve their belongings, but instead have been locked out as the bankruptcy case moves forward.
The hearing comes days after Judge Oxholm halted a proposed fast-track auction of the Leland House and an adjacent parking lot, rejecting the owner's attempt to quickly sell the property while multiple disputes over tenant rights remain unresolved. The building filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 3, more than two years after its longtime owner, Michael Higgins, passed away in 2023.
As the case continues, tensions between the tenants and the city of Detroit remain high, with both sides refusing to back down. For the residents, the issue is not just about retrieving their belongings but also about being treated fairly and having their voices heard in the bankruptcy proceedings. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of the Leland House and its long-standing residents.
This whole thing is just so messed up, you guys... I mean, the tenants were told their displacement would be temporary but then got locked out without notice? Like, what's going on here? 
And now they're being forced to watch their belongings get removed by contractors who don't even care about them? It's not fair at all! 
The city of Detroit and the bankruptcy judge should really listen to the tenants' concerns and find a way to include them in the proceedings. They have a right to be heard, you know? 
This is just a huge example of how broken the system can be when it comes to protecting people's rights... 
My heart goes out to those tenants at the Leland House! Can you even imagine being locked out of your own home without notice? It's just not right. The fact that they were told their displacement would be temporary and then had the rug pulled from under them is totally unacceptable.
the city is being super shady too, saying it's frivolous but really it's just about respecting the tenants' rights. Judge Oxholm needs to do more, this isn't right 
It's messed up that the tenants are being left in the dark like this - no notice, no say in what happens. And now they're being locked out and their stuff is being removed without them even getting a chance to grab it? 
The fact that Judge Oxholm is even considering their request just shows there's still some humanity left in this case. Fingers crossed she doesn't get too caught up in the city's interests... 
. it's a classic case of 'us vs them', with the city and the bank playing the role of 'the ones in power'. meanwhile, the tenants are just trying to hold on to what's left - their dignity and their right to be heard 
. this is where empathy comes into play - can we imagine how those tenants feel if they're forced out of their homes again? wouldn't it be better for all parties involved if there was a way to find common ground and work towards a solution that benefits everyone? 
. and what's with the bank wanting to just swoop in and grab all their stuff without even giving 'em a chance to collect? that's just shady 
.
we need to start advocating for these people ASAP, this isn't right 
! It's crazy how no one thought of tellin' them what really happened or includin' 'em in the decision makin' process. Judge Oxholm said somethin about notice failures, but it feels like the city's just tryin' to sweep this under the rug 
.
. I swear, as a society, we need to do better than this. We need to stand up for the people who are getting screwed over by these giant corporations