- What happened: Lansing, Michigan landlord Christian Nwobu is being sued by the city for renting out red-tagged homes—properties deemed unsafe to live in.
- Court update: Nwobu appeared in court on June 26, 2025. The city presented eight properties with serious issues including:
- Plumbing problems
- Damaged floors
- Electrical hazards
- Unpermitted repairs
- Missing or broken smoke detectors
- City inspector’s testimony: Properties were unfit for occupancy; some tenants provided proof they paid rent and signed leases.
- Landlord’s defense: Claims tenants caused much of the damage and says he’s actively working to bring homes into compliance.
- Dispute on progress: Nwobu stated six properties have had their tags removed. City spokesperson says only one has met compliance standards.
- Next court date: July 28, 2025.
🧠 Why It Matters for Real Estate Investors
- Code enforcement is intensifying – Municipalities are cracking down on safety violations and unpermitted work.
- Legal liability is real – Tenants in red-tagged homes could result in serious lawsuits or forced relocations.
- Property management matters – Hands-on or not, every investor needs systems in place for compliance and tenant oversight.
- Public reputation impacts profitability – Negative media attention can tarnish a landlord’s brand and make leasing harder.