ONE MILLION WISCONSIN RESIDENTS ARE RENTING
Over 1 million Wisconsin residents live in rental housing — most with security deposits that often equal as much as one month’s rent. To many people, one month of rent takes some time to gather up.
LARGEST NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS – SECURITY DEPOSITS
Topping the list of complaints to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in 2016 are those related to landlord – tenant security deposits . The DATCP received over 1,000 complaints in this category, losing out to telemarketing at number one.
OTHER LANDLORD TENANT COMPLAINTS IN WISCONSIN
After security deposits, tenant complaints included those on unauthorized entry, inadequate disclosures and evictions.
YOU CAN FIND MORE ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECT ON RENTLAW.com
Unauthorized entry: Unless there is an emergency, a landlord must give 12-hours advance notice before entering a unit.
Inadequate disclosures: Your best protection as a new tenant is to complete a check-in sheet detailing the condition of the unit and appliances and return it to the landlord within the first seven days of your tenancy. Provide photo evidence of any deficiencies to the landlord and keep a copy for your own records. If you fail to complete the check-in sheet, you may be giving up your right to contest some security deposit withholdings for pre-existing conditions.
Evictions: Tenants who pay partial rent, no rent, or late rent (even one day late) put themselves at risk of eviction, as do tenants who break the rules or terms of the rental agreement or cause damage. Tenants may be given either a written five-day or 14-day notice to vacate the property.
LANDLORD TENANT DISPUTES
Disputes are often grounded in a misunderstanding of each party’s rights under state law. The keys to a productive and respectful landlord/tenant relationship are to keep an open dialogue, review and understand the rental agreement, and stay educated on each party’s rights.
To help both parties understand their rights relating to residential laws, DATCP offers two resources for both landlords and tenants, available on the Internet. Also learn more on RentLaw.com
- The Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities Fact Sheet – summary of basic facts in Wisconsin
- The Landlord/Tenant Guide/ is a comprehensive reference tool covering many more issues in detail.
Both documents are available for free on the DATCP website, datcp.wi.gov/ .
CALL, EMAIL, FACEBOOK
You may also:
- Call Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128
- Email to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov.
- Facebook Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
- See more on RentLaw.com