Tristan’s Landlord-Tenant Law Blog
Call us: (414) 276-2850
Tristan’s Landlord-Tenant Law Blog
Archive of: Short-Term Rentals
Page 39 of 43. Go to first page
MILWAUKEE CO. SMALL CLAIMS COURT'S NEW POLICY REGARDING WHO MAY APPEAR IN COURT ON BEHALF OF A LLC WENT INTO EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1st.
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Evictions, LLC's / Comments
I was attending the regular monthly meeting of Milwauke RING (Real Estate Investors Networking Group) last night and during the "open mic" portion of the meeting I reminded everyone that Milwaukee County Small Claims Court's new policy regarding who may appear in court (i.e. sign court documents and appear in court) went into effect yesterday, September 1, 2009. As I was walking back to my seat two people asked me ...
Read MoreSUING AN EX-TENANT FOR PAST DUE RENT: What Factors To Consider
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Tenant Damage, Credit Checks, Collections, Rental Documents / Comments
Your tenant has already vacated your rental unit - so there is no need to file an eviction action -- but they left owing you money. Is it worth your time and effort to sue them in order to obtain a money judgment? This is probably the third most frequently asked question that I receive when talking to landlords (the first two most asked questions in case you are curious ...
Read MoreHow To Legally Serve A 5-Day Notice To Pay Rent or Vacate
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Evictions, Notices / Comments
There are basically 4 ways in which you can legally serve a tenant with a 5-Day Notice To Pay Rent or Vacate. First, you can personally serve the tenant with the notice. Second, you can serve them by what I refer to as a "substituted" service. Third, you can "post and mail" the notice to the tenant. Fourth, you can serve the tenant via certified or registered mail.Landlords in Wisconsin are legally allowed ...
Read MoreAASEW Has New Online Forum at MeetUp.com
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in AASEW / Comments
The Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin (AASEW) has recently joined MeetUp.com. Registration and participation is free.Below is the introductory message by AASEW Board member and organizer, Tim Ballering:Welcome to the Apartment Association of Southeastern WI. Thank you for joining our MeetUp group.Our objective is to help members become more successful landlords, investors and managers.We are the oldest and largest landlord group in Southeastern WI. Members include many larger ...
Read MoreSSN Validator: Free Website That Allows You to Verify A Social Security Number
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in AASEW, Screening Tenants / Comments
I attended last night's AASEW monthly meeting which featured Kathy Huens of Landlord Services, LLC as the main speaker. Landlord Services, LLC is a company that provides credit reports to landlords to assist them in the screening process of rental applicants. Landlord Services, LLC is a business member of the AASEW and comes highly reccomended. During Kathy's speech she alerted the audience to a website that allows you to ...
Read MoreAASEW'S Annual Landlord Tradeshow To Be Held On September 16th at Serb Hall
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in AASEW, Seminars / Comments
The Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin's (AASEW) 10th Annual Landlord Tradeshow and Seminar will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 from 12 noon - 7 pm at American Serb Hall (5101 W. Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee).Admission is free for rental property owners and potential owners. Free food and snacks will be offerred. This is a great event for landlords, future landlords, property managers, real estate investors, and anyone ...
Read MoreHousing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 Rent Assistance) Are Not A "Lawful Source of Income" In Wisconsin
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Protected Classes, Screening Tenants / Comments
I am often asked whether or not a landlord is able to legally decline to rent to a tenant that is receiving "rent assistance." I believe that the primary reason that landlords are unsure of the answer to this question is because Wisconsin's Open Housing Act (Sec. 106.50, Wis. Stats.) prohibits a landlord from discriminating against a tenant or a prospective tennat based on their "lawful source of income." For more information on Wisconsin's protected ...
Read MoreNew Bill To Be Introduced Requiring Landlords to Change Locks For Tenants In Cases Of Domestic Violence
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Legislation / Comments
A new bill that would require a landlord to change locks for a tenant in cases of domestic violence is being shopped around for additional sponsors. State Rep. Dexter and Senator Holperin have drafted a proposed bill, which has not yet been introduced, which would allegedly protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking by requiring landlords to change the locks of the victim's apartment unit within 48 hours if certain conditions ...
Read MoreWorthless Check Diversion Program: An Opportunity To Collect On "Bad Checks"
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Collections, Bad/Bounced Checks / Comments
The Miwaukee County District Attorneys Office has adopted a new program that will hopefully allow landlords to collect on bad checks that were passed by their tenants. The goal of the program is to get the bad-check writers to pay back the money owed in exchange for not being charged with a crime or referred to collections.This program, entitled the Worthless Check Diversion Program, is a positive step for landlords because currently ...
Read MoreFair Housing - Part 3: Legal Reasons To Deny A Rental Applicant
Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Protected Classes, Screening Tenants / Comments
From reviewing the analytics program that works in conjunction with my blog, I have learned that my two prior posts on fair housing/discrimination issues peaked a lot of interest which resulted in them being two of my most read posts to date. My prior posts can be read here and here. As a result I have decided to add another post related to Fair Housing issues.When I give seminars on ...
Read More
