Tristan’s Landlord-Tenant Law Blog

How Does A Tenant's Bankruptcy Interfere with Your Eviction?

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Evictions, Bankruptcy / Comments

By Atty. Gary D. Koch of Petrie + Pettit S.C. A tenant's filing of a bankruptcy, whether it is a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13, stops your eviction cold under most circumstances! Evictions are typically matters handled exclusively through the state court system, in whichever county the property is located. Every now and then, though, we have to make a trip to federal court to assist a landlord. This most frequently ...

I Think I Discovered a Fraudulent Tenant, What Can I do?

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Screening Tenants, Rental Applications, Fraud / Misrepresentation / Comments

Drafted by Attorney Jennifer Hayden of Petrie + Pettit S.C.  Identity theft or fraud for the purposes of renting an apartment is growing issue. We have heard there are social media pages dedicated to selling fraudulent identities to individuals specifically to rent apartments as well as sites that will produce fake paystubs, bank account information, credit reports and checks or money orders, along with the more traditional methods such as ...

Just A Few Days Left to Sign Up for Landlord Boot Camp this Saturday

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Landlord Boot Camp / Comments

There are only a few days left to sign up for Landlord Boot Camp which will take place this Saturday, November 4th from 8:30 am - 6 pm I will be covering everything that you need to know about residential landlord-tenant law in Wisconsin.  We will be covering the all important basics like: Screening and Qualifying the Prospective Applicant and Fair Housing IssuesRental DocumentsATCP 134: Residential Rental Practice Rules and Security DepositsCauses ...

Now Available for Pre-Order - "THE LANDLORD'S COMPANION: A Comprehensive Handbook on Residential Landlord-Tenant Law in Wisconsin" by Atty. Tristan R. Pettit

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in THE LANDLORD’S COMPANION / Comments

Proposed Anti-Landlord Legislation Being Shopped Around Seeking Co-Sponsors

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Legislation / Comments

Yesterday was a busy day for those legislators that are not fans of landlords or what we do as a profession.  As if the rampant sealing of eviction records that is prevalent in Milwaukee County was not bad enough (so that future landlords will not be aware that an applicant had a recent eviction), below is a list of proposed legislation from Madison that is being passed around by the ...

FAQ Regarding The Recent Decision on the Sealing of Eviction Records by the Wisconsin Supreme Court

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Evictions, Sealing of Evictions / Comments

This FAQ blog post was written by Atty. Heiner Giese who is the attorney for the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin, Inc. (RPA) formally known as the Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin (AASEW) The Wisconsin Supreme Court held an open administrative conference on October 9, 2023, to consider a petition (No. 22-03) filed by Legal Action of Wisconsin (LAW) concerning the retention of court records in eviction cases. Evictions are heard ...

Next LANDLORD BOOT CAMP will be November 4, 2023

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Landlord Boot Camp / Comments

My next Landlord Boot Camp for the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin, Inc. (formerly known as the AASEW) will be held on Saturday November 4, 2023. This Boot Camp will be in-person and streamed virtually. You choose the format that best serves you. There have been so many changes in how evictions and other Landlord-Tenant law matters are handled post COVID that I strongly recommend that you attend this Boot Camp ...

Governor Evers Signs Bipartisan Package of Affordable Housing Legislation

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. / Comments

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 06/22/2023 09:46 AM CDT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2023Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov Gov. Evers Signs Bipartisan Package of Affordable Housing Legislation MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed five bipartisan bills to help expand access to safe, affordable housing for working families, a ...

Attempt to Add Source of Income and Veteran Status As New Federal Protected Classes

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Section 8 / Rent Assistance / Vouchers / Comments

Two U.S. Senators recently introduced a new federal bill that is being referred to as the "Fair Housing Improvement Act" (FHIA).  The FHIA introduces two additional protected classes to the seven protected classes under the Fair Housing Act of 1968.   The first proposal would make veterans of wars a new federal protected class. The second, would make "source of income" a new federal protected class.  If "source of income" becomes a federal ...

Beware of Clauses Requiring More than 28-Days’ Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancies

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Rental Documents, State of Wisconsin / Comments

By Atty. Gary D. Koch Clauses requiring tenants to provide 60-Day Notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy are popular – we see them a lot in rental agreements. Recently, though, we have seen the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection take issue with such clauses in rental agreements in month-to-month tenancies that require the tenant to give anything more than a 28-Day Notice to terminate the tenancy. These DATCP challenges ...