Goodbye Wisconsin...Landlords Unchained. Tenants must Bow Down to their Whims say Republicans.

Republicans continue to tear down decade’s worth of consumer protection laws just because they can. This isn't governing, this is chaos.

Being a landlord myself, even I can’t believe what Republicans want to let landlords get away with. It's even a one-size-fits-all change that does away with all the uniquely justified local regulations that elected officials passed at the request of constituents. 

If you’re thinking about moving to Wisconsin and renting, “RENTER BEWARE,” your safety and health are at risk. 

Another insane law pushed by the lobbyists at the Wisconsin Realtor's Associations. You know, all those confusing local regulations. Think that's bad, have you seen the listing, offer and buyer's agent contracts lately?

WKOW: Tenant-rights advocates are upset over a fast-tracked State Assembly bill that would loosen a number of regulations on landlords. Opponents say AB 183 strips tenants of crucial rights, but its supporters say it contains needed reforms.  

Allows landlords to hold tenants liable for pest or insect infestations if it can be proved they caused them. 

And landlords could also evict a person if a crime is committed in their rental unit, even if they had no ability to stop it.

The following two provisions blow my mind:

1. One provision says landlords no longer have to disclose building code violations unless a local housing authority has filed a written notice on them. "Even though the landlord does know, they don't have to tell the tenant.  They're allowed to keep it secret," said David Sparer, a Madison-based tenant attorney.

2. Another major provision of the bill says a property owner can have illegally parked vehicles towed away without consulting the owner of the vehicle or police. Right now, a property owner must first call police, who have to write a citation before authorizing a tow.

Several tenant advocates believe landlords were the only ones consulted on the bill prior to its introduction, because legislators knew it would cause outrage among renters. "I first heard about this bill on Monday.  On Tuesday it was added to the agenda for this committee.  Today is Thursday.  That is not very much time," complained Colin Gillis of the Wisconsin Alliance For Tenant Rights. You can read AB 183 in its entirety by clicking here.