Level 5 Real Estate

405 E. Sixth St, Royal Oak, MI

This complaint is actually regarding the property at 405 E. Sixth St, Royal Oak, MI

Warning, don't rent here. I lived in 405 #1 for 12 years while James Bonnici Sr. was in charge. He was honest and straightforward. He said the apartment was as-is and he kept the rent very low. He had purchased the house in 1971 and wasn't trying to squeeze the tenants. I stayed over 12 years and the person in #2 had been there over 20. We handled minor problems ourselves. The in-house manager was a charity case and did very little. Now his 2 sons have taken over and are just taking advantage of Dad's work and foresight.

Don't rent at 405, especially #1. They may have made it look better but...

The big window in the main room is pretty but leaks like a sieve and turns the apartment into a fishbowl for the neighbors. As that is the only place to put a bed, you'll need blankets and thick insulating curtains.

As far as heat, there is one 1920's radiator in the main room and one in the bathroom (the bathroom radiator didn't work most of the time I was there). There is zero insulation. No heat in the kitchen which is generally 10 degrees colder in the winter. The shower is the same, be prepared to run it hot in the winter because it can be very cold there.

Electricity in apt 1 — The electricity has never been redone and blows fuses regularly. We knew the place was a bit of a fire trap and were careful. More than one winter night I came home, started coffee and microwave just to have the fuse go. Cold, dark, end of the day and I'm standing on chair replacing the fuse. Also, in regards to electricity in Apt 1; I moved to a modern apartment and use the same electrical stuff but am using fewer the kw hours. I had heard rumors but now I'm sure — Apt 1 pays for others electricity. You'll notice there is no 'house circuit' at the meters.

Kitchen, the pictures don't show you there is no counter in the kitchen. The refrigerator is still the no-brand one that runs constantly and will lose your frozen food in just a few hours when the neighborhood electricity goes out — happened to me. Also, you'll find ice crystals on your food as it lets food thaw and re-freeze. The owner's son bought it used for $100.

The Bonnici kids showed their real colors when they stole some sentimental items I had stored in the garage and basically said 'so what'. The garage was used for storage for years and was ok. The sons come in and I guess the old, "Its not nailed down, guess he doesn't want it".

I did no damage in over the 12 years and they still refused to return my security deposit. $1,200 is outrageous for this little place and you'll probably not ever see it again.

So before you rent:

Ask about the heat. Make sure the bathroom radiator works.

Ask about the window and be prepared to buy insulating curtains.

Get the refrigerator replaced or it will cost you in food.

Check the windows in the kitchen — plexiglass that leaks badly.

Notice there is one small closet and obviously no room for other clothes.

Notice that laundry is in little more than a Michigan basement and the steep small stairs with no railing (then) isn't easy to navigate.

There is no ventilation in the place, be prepared for it.

At $450 a month, not bad, I learned to live with the issues. The neighborhood is quiet and safe Bonnici Sr. was good to me more than once. His kids on the other hand aren't to be trusted. At $850, even with inflation, not worth it.

This isn't a comment on Level 5. They seemed competent (the 3rd management company in a year btw) but they will tell you "we can't do anything without Bonnici approval".