Royal Oak Storage Tenant Reports Mold Damage in Climate Controlled Unit

Royal Oak, Mich. A new customer of Public Storage has reported finding what appears to be mold inside her climate-controlled unit, adding to a series of similar complaints that local news has been investigating for several months. Erin Seitters-Walter told reporters that she discovered white spores on her belongings while moving items in and out of the facility located off Coolidge Highway. This is the third recent account of potential mold issues, following reports from Stephanie Campbell in Brownstown Township and Brittany Bacinski, also in Royal Oak, earlier this year.

Seitters-Walter and her husband secured the unit at the end of 2024 while they were in the process of moving between homes. They selected a climate-controlled space specifically to protect a collection of personal possessions that they believed to be valuable. The couple stated that they had entrusted much of their lives to the storage facility during their transition. They did not inspect the unit daily, as is common for many renters, until the fall of 2025.

During a routine visit to organize items, Seitters-Walter noticed small white mold spores covering her belongings. She described the extent of the damage to Local 4, noting that the spores were widespread. The couple subsequently conducted a humidity test inside the unit. The reading showed a humidity level of approximately 60 percent and a temperature of 67 degrees. Seitters-Walter believes these conditions contributed to the growth of mold inside the sealed space.

The value of the damaged property is estimated to be over $8,000. Seitters-Walter stated that the unit held items essential to their household. She said that she was unaware of any other tenants experiencing similar issues at the time of her discovery. "To my knowledge, nobody else knew that there was mold in our unit," she said. The couple immediately contacted the facility management to discuss reimbursement or other forms of compensation for the damaged goods.

According to Seitters-Walter, Public Storage did not provide direct reimbursement for the losses. However, she noted that her insurance company provided a partial payment to cover some of the costs. Several other affected tenants have told Local 4 that they did not receive similar insurance coverage or direct compensation from the storage company. The discrepancy in outcomes has left many customers feeling uncertain about how to resolve their claims.

Local 4 reporter Kyla Russell attempted to speak with management at the Royal Oak location to get an official statement on the situation. Upon arriving at the office, she found that the doors were locked. Russell noted that this had happened previously, stating that the facility appeared to be open but inaccessible to visitors seeking information. This lack of immediate access has compounded the frustration of tenants who are seeking answers.

Following the publication of previous stories about mold in Public Storage units, some tenants received a letter from the company. The correspondence acknowledged the possibility of mold but did not fully resolve the concerns of affected customers. Seitters-Walter expressed a strong desire for transparency regarding the company's awareness of the issue. "I want to know the truth. I want to know how much knowledge they had when we were moving in," she said.

The company has not yet provided a detailed response to the latest allegations. Local 4 reached out to Public Storage via multiple email inquiries and phone calls to request a comment on Seitters-Walter's claim. As of the latest update, the company had not responded to these requests. The ongoing investigation continues as more tenants come forward with their experiences regarding the condition of their climate-controlled units.

The case highlights the challenges faced by storage unit renters who rely on environmental controls to protect their possessions. While climate-controlled units are marketed as a safeguard against temperature and humidity fluctuations, these recent reports suggest that failures can still occur. Tenants are now calling for clearer communication and more consistent compensation policies from storage providers to address potential damages.

The situation in Royal Oak serves as a reminder for consumers to document the condition of their stored items and to understand their insurance policies. As the number of reported cases grows, the pressure on Public Storage to address the underlying causes of the mold and to communicate effectively with its customers is expected to increase.