Rental Inspection Program

Mayor Signs Rensidential Rental Inspection Ordinance

tpettit — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:37:30 +0000

Mayor Tom Barrett signed the city of Milwaukee’s Residential Rental Inspection Program ordinance into law on December 10, 2009.

The ordinance will take effect on January 1, 2010.

AASEW Continues To Fight Against Rental Certificate/Inspection Ordinance

tpettit — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:24 +0000

The Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc. (AASEW) continues its attempt to defeat the recently passed ordinance creating a Residential Rental Certificate Program in two areas of the city. On December 7, 2009, the AASEW issued a Press Release urging the mayor to veto the legislation in order to avoid expensive litigation.

Additonally, President of the AASEW Tristan Pettit wrote a letter to Mayor Tom Barrett pointing out many of the legal problems with the ordinance. A similar letter was sent to the members of the Common Council prior to their vote last week – which went ignored. The letter specifically delineates 6 of the many structural and legal problems with the ordinance and encourages the mayor to veto the legislation in order to spare the city the time and expense of defending the poorly drafted legislation in court.

The Mayor has until Thursday, December 10, 2009 to sign the legislation or else it would go back to the Common Council for reconsideration. If the Mayor vetoes the ordinance then the Common Council would have to garner 10 votes (from the 15 members) in order to override the veto.

Residential Rental Certificate Ordinance Passes

tpettit — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:35:30 +0000

Earlier today by a vote of 9-5 the city of Milwaukee’s Residential Rental Certificate Program ordinance was passed by the Common Council.

Voting in favor of the new ordinance were Aldermen Ashanti Hamilton (1st district), Nic Kovac (3rd district), Robert Bauman (4th district), Milele Coggs (6th district), Willie Wade (7th district), Robert Puente (9th district), Michael Murphy (10th district), Terry Witkowski (13 district), and Willie Hines, Jr. (15th district).

Voting against the ordinance were Aldermen James Bohl, Jr. (5th district), Robert Donovan (8th district), Joe Dudzik (11th district), James Witkowiak (12th district), and Tony Zielinski (14th district).

Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. was not present and did not vote.

There was very little discussion on the proposed ordinance prior to its vote. Alderman Kovac (the primary sponsor of the ordinance) spoke in favor of the revised ordinance and gave a summary of the revisions that were made. Alderman Robert Donovan then spoke out against the ordinance and summarized some of the criticism that citizens had with the proposal as expressed at the public hearing earlier. Alderman Murphy then spoke in favor of the ordinance and emphasized that it is a pilot program that will be reviewed each year.

If you are interested in viewing the video recording of the vote and other related information just click here.

This new ordinance will make it mandatory for all landlords who own rental property in two designated areas of the city (the UWM area on the city’s east side and the Lindsay Heights neighborhood on the city’s north side) to apply for a rental certificate in order to continue renting out their rental properties. When applying for the certificate the owner will need to pay a $85 per unit fee and allow an inspector from the city’s Department of Neighborhood Services to inspect the interior of the unit.

The Department of Neighborhood Services also put together a Residential Rental Inspection Program Preinspection Checklist which it is assumed will be sent to the owners of rental property in the two designated areas prior to the inspection. This checklist sets forth the specific types of violations that DNS will be looking for during its inspection.

This ordinance will become effective January 1, 2010.

Residential Rental Program Vote Delayed

tpettit — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:34:43 +0000

The Common Council did not vote on the passing of the city’s proposed Residential Rental Certificate Program earlier today (11/3/09) as was planned. Instead the Comon Council voted 9-5 to hold the proposed ordinance for 1 cycle (1 month) for further review.

The proposed ordinance, which would require all rental property owners in the UWM-area and Lindsay Heights neighborhood on the north side of Milwaukee to pay an $85 fee per unit fee and submit to an internal inspection of in order to be able to rent out their property, passed out of the ZND committee last week by a vote of 3-2. The proposed ordinance was to be voted on by the Common Council earlier today.

In response to the setback of having the proposed ordinance pass out of committee the AASEW, who represents approximately 680 landlords in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas, retained legal counsel to review the ordinance for procedural and drafting errors. Errors were found and were communicated to the City Attorney. The AASEW wrote to the President of the Commom Council and the various council members and pointed out its many concerns with the ordinance as written.

Prior to a vote being taken as to whether or not the ordinance should be passed, a motion was made by Alderman Donovan to hold the ordinance for one cycle (1 month) to further review any problems and concerns. This motion passed by a vote of 9-5. It is assumed that the ordinance will be revised and then referred back to the ZND committee for an additional public hearing.

Read Tom Daykin, of the Journal Sentinel, blog post about this change of events here.

USU Debate Team on Rental Licensing

hgiese — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:13:48 +0000

The Utha State University Debate Team on rental Licensing in college communities. Pretty interesting

Video Podcast

Hearing On Rental Recording Program to Be Held On October 27, 2009 at 10 AM

tpettit — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:42:54 +0000

A hearing on Milwaukee’s proposed Residential Rental Certificate Program will be held before the Zoning and Development Committee on October 27, 2009 at 10 AM in room 301 of Milwaukee’s CIty Hall.

It is at this hearing that people may speak in favor or against the proposed ordinance. The ZND committee will then decide whether or not the proposed ordinance should be referred to the common council for a vote by the alderpersons.

If you want to be heard. You need to be present at this hearing.

To determine your alderman and contact information go here.

The Ordinance

hgiese — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:40:59 +0000

Number: 090429

Version: SUBSTITUTE 1

Sponsor: ALD. KOVAC, DAVIS, WADE

A substitute ordinance establishing a residential rental certificate in a designated residential area.

This ordinance requires owners of rental properties in a designated residential area to apply for a residential rental certificate from the department of neighborhood services. A certificate is required for each rental unit in order for it to be rented. Following application an inspection is done by the department of neighborhood services to insure that each rental unit complies with the building maintenance and zoning codes. The cost of inspection is $85 for each unit. The department shall issue a residential rental certificate only if after inspection it has found that the unit’s observable conditions conform to the building maintenance and zoning codes and that there are no outstanding orders issued against the unit. The certificate shall be valid for 4 years from the date of issuance if no disqualifying violations are found at the initial inspection. The certificate shall be valid for one year after the date of issuance if disqualifying violations are found at the initial inspection. An owner failing to apply for a residential rental certificate of compliance shall be subject to a forfeiture of $100 for the first failure to apply. The owner shall be subject to a forfeiture of $150 for each subsequent failure to respond to a notice sent by the department to apply.

Sections

200-19-2 am

200-33-49.5 cr

200-53 cr

Analysis

Body

Whereas, The residential units in the area bounded by Edgewood Ave. to Newberry Blvd., Cambridge Ave. to Hackett Ave. are on average 94.7 years old while the City average is 71.3 years old; and

Whereas, The residential buildings in this area that are rental are 42.7% of the total residential buildings as compared to 26.9% citywide; and

Whereas, The residential units in this area are 62.9% rental as compared to 47.8% citywide; and

Whereas, 81.4% of code and nuisance complaints in this area occur at rental properties while the city average is 63%; and

Whereas, 83% of campus fire deaths occur in off campus housing and fire safety education and related inspection programs are known to reduce the number and severity of fires in residential occupancies; now, therefore

The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section 200-19-2 of the code is amended to read:

200-19. Penalties.

2. In addition to other applicable enforcement procedures and pursuant to the authority of s. 66.0113, Wis. Stats., the department may issue citations pursuant to the citation procedure set forth in s. 50-25 to any person violating any provision of ss. 200-11, 200-20-2, 200-21.5, 200-22-5, 200-24, 200-42, >>200-53,<< 200-61, ch. 207, ch. 214, ss. 218-2, 218-6, 218-9-6, 222-11-2, 222-13-1, 222-19-1, ch. 223, ss. 225-2-1, 225-3-4, 225-3-5-a, ch. 236, ch. 240, s. 244-3, ch. 246, s. 252-1, ch. 261,ch. 275, ch. 289, ch. 290, ch. 295 or s. 308-81-9.

Part 2. Section 200-33-49.5 of the code is created to read:

200-33. Fees.

49.5. RESIDENTIAL RENTAL CERTIFICATE. a. The inspection fee associated with a residential rental certificate shall be $85 for each rental unit in a building. The certificate shall be valid for 4 years from the date of issuance if no disqualifying violations are found at the initial inspection. The certificate shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance if disqualifying violations are found at the initial inspection. The certificate may be given temporary status if nonhazardous code violations are found at the initial inspection.

b. There shall be no additional fee imposed when a temporary status is removed and a regular residential rental certificate is issued.

c. The fee for renewal of a residential rental certificate shall be $85 for each rental unit in a building.

d. A fee of $50 shall be imposed if the department is unable to gain access to the unit for the inspection pursuant to sub. par. a at the agreed upon time.

e. Residential rental inspection fees shall be charged against the real estate and shall be assessed and collected as a special charge.

(See s. 200-53.)

Part 3. Section 200-53 of the code is created to read:

200-53. Residential Rental Certificate.

1. PURPOSE. Pursuant to s. 62.11 (5), Wis. Stats., and s. 4-10 of the Milwaukee city charter, the common council is responsible for the management and control of city property, acting for the good order of the city and the health, safety and welfare of the public. The common council has determined that there is a need to enact legislation requiring residential rental certificates to protect the public because residential rental dwelling units in the area bounded by Edgewood Ave. to Newberry Blvd., Cambridge Ave. to Hackett Ave. are in need of inspection to prevent deterioration, taking into account the density of rental units, age of buildings, percentage of complaints occurring at rental units, and condition of the units in the area. Frequent inspection of these units is necessary to maintain safe, decent and sanitary living conditions for residents living in the rental units due to high tenant turnover in the area.

2. DEFINITIONS. In this section:

a. ”Building maintenance code” means that portion of the building code which establishes the minimum requirements and standards of health, sanitation, safety and occupancy for residential property. These regulations governing the condition and maintenance of residential property, and the responsibility of property owners are set forth in ss. 275-32 to 275-82.

b. ”Conditions which affect safe, decent and sanitary living conditions of persons occupying a residential rental unit” include items that violate fire safety; lack of or poor condition of sanitary facilities; absence of adequate heating systems or equipment; items which affect the safe operation of electrical and mechanical systems; items which affect structural integrity of the building or the ability of the building envelope to keep out the weather; or one or more conditions that if not corrected would be reasonably expected to become conditions that affect the safe, decent and sanitary conditions of the occupants.

c. ”Disqualifying violation” means conditions which affect safe, decent and sanitary living conditions of persons occupying a residential rental unit, or other conditions that violate the provisions of the building code, building maintenance code or zoning code that indicate in their totality that the rental unit is not being properly maintained.

d. ”Designated residential area” means the area bounded by the following streets: Edgewood Ave. to Newberry Blvd., Cambridge Ave. to Hackett Ave.

e. ”Dwelling” means a building which includes one or more distinct living units. It does not include a residential 2-family building in which one of the units is owner-occupied.

f. ”Owner” means the person in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to the property or all or part of the beneficial ownership and right to present use and enjoyment of the premises.

g. ”Residential rental certificate” means a written and signed statement prepared by the commissioner after an inspection has been made, that the condition of a dwelling is in compliance with the building maintenance and zoning code.

h. ”Person” includes an individual, a partnership, a domestic or foreign limited liability company, a trust, an estate, an association, a corporation or any other legal or commercial entity.

i. ”Sale, transfer or conveyance of ownership” means to transfer any ownership interest in a dwelling except by mortgage, gift, devise or bequest. The sale or transfer shall be deemed to occur upon the transfer of an ownership interest, the execution of a land contract or the exercise of an option to purchase property.

j. ”Time of sale, transfer or conveyance” means the time when a written purchase agreement is executed by the buyer; in the absence of a purchase agreement, it shall mean the time prior to the execution of any document providing for the transfer or conveyance of a dwelling in the designated residential area.

k. ”Unit” means any independently rented living space whose term of lease is 30 days or greater.

L. ”Zoning code” means any requirements and standards set forth in ch. 295.

3. RESIDENTIAL RENTAL CERTIFICATE REQUIRED. a. Persons with an ownership interest in a dwelling within the designated residential area shall apply for a residential rental certificate for each unit in order to rent the unit. Unless a unit has a valid residential rental certificate or temporary residential rental certificate, no owner of the unit shall permit any person to occupy the unit as a tenant or otherwise. A residential 2-family building that is owner- occupied is exempt from this requirement.

b. Persons acquiring an ownership interest as the result of a sale, transfer or conveyance of a dwelling within the designated residential area shall within 30 days of sale, transfer or conveyance, apply for a residential rental certificate, subject to the provisions of sub. 6-e.

c. Any person selling, transferring or conveying an ownership interest in a dwelling shall expressly inform any person acquiring or receiving an ownership interest in a property that a residential rental certificate is required by the city.

4. APPLICATION.

a. An application for a certificate shall be filed with the department on forms provided by the department. The application shall be signed by the owner, and shall state the street address of the dwelling to be inspected, the owner’s legal name, the owner’s phone number and date of birth. The application for inspection shall be accompanied by the payment in full of the fee required in s. 200-33-49.5.

b. Failure to apply for the residential rental certificate as required in sub. 3-b may subject the owner to the penalties specified in sub. 13-a.

5. INSPECTION.

a. Upon application and the payment of the required fee, the department shall inspect the condition of the dwelling for compliance with the building maintenance and zoning code. The department shall make the inspection within 60 days of the date of application unless another date is mutually agreed upon by the department and the owner. The owner shall inform the tenant of the unit and place a posting on the door of the unit stating the date and time of the inspection at least 2 days prior to the inspection.

b. An owner is not exempt from complying with all other applicable laws, standards and regulations pertaining to the condition and use of buildings and structures including the authority of the commissioner to perform housing inspections in accordance with applicable law.

6. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES. a. The department shall issue a residential rental certificate only after it has inspected the dwelling or unit and found that its observable conditions conform to the building maintenance and zoning codes and that there are no outstanding orders against it. The certificate shall be valid for 4 years from the date of issuance if the inspection discovered no disqualifying violations.

b. If upon inspection of the dwelling or unit the department finds one or more disqualifying violations, then the department shall issue a one-year residential rental certificate only once all observable conditions conform with the building maintenance and zoning codes.

c. The commissioner may issue a temporary certificate if, in the commissioner’s opinion, the outstanding violations do not constitute a hazard to the occupants of the dwelling or unit and if a work plan to correct the violations is submitted and approved by the commissioner. The temporary certificate shall be valid for 30 days and the commissioner may grant an extension if a revised work plan to correct the violations is submitted and approved by the commissioner. Failure to abate violations discovered resulting from inspection associated with the application for the certificate shall invalidate the temporary certificate, and no owner of the dwelling or unit shall permit any person to occupy the dwelling or unit as a tenant or otherwise.

d. If after issuance of a 4-year certificate the department subsequently finds that the dwelling or unit is found in violation of the building maintenance or zoning codes, the department may revoke the 4-year certificate and in lieu thereof issue a one-year certificate. The dwelling or unit shall again be eligible for a 4-year certificate only upon the expiration of the annual certificate, and as of the first subsequent annual inspection, no disqualifying violations are found. The commissioner may also revoke either a 4-year or one-year certificate if he or she determines that violations are of a critical nature that constitute an unsafe or unfit condition.

e. In the event of a sale, transfer or conveyance of a property within 3 months of the initial issuance of the certificate, the certificate may be transferred to the new owner until the end of a certificate valid for one year, or one year from the date of issuance of the certificate in the case of a 4-year certificate, provided the new owner submits an application as required by sub. 4. No inspection shall be required pursuant to this paragraph.

7. VIOLATIONS IDENTIFIED.

a. Any building maintenance and zoning code violations identified in the initial inspection for a residential rental certificate shall be abated within a reasonable amount of time to be determined by the department.

b. Any violations identified after a residential rental certificate has been issued shall be abated within a reasonable amount of time to be determined by the department and subject to the provisions of the code.

8. ENFORCEMENT. a. Should the department upon inspection determine that there are conditions which constitute an imminent danger to health and safety pursuant to chs. 275 and 295, it shall order the condition to be remedied and may limit or prohibit occupancy where appropriate.

b. The department shall reinspect the premises as necessary to determine that the recorded code violations have been satisfactorily corrected. A reinspection fee may be charged in accordance with s. 200-33-48.

9. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND APPEALS. a. The owner may request review of decisions regarding violations or regulations imposed by the department. The request shall be made in writing on forms provided by the department and shall specify the grounds for administrative review. The request for administrative review shall be filed within 10 days of the issuance of the order.

b. The administrative review hearing shall occur within 10 days after receipt of the request.

c. The commissioner, or the person appointed as the commissioner’s designee, shall conduct the administrative review hearing. At the hearing, owner and staff shall present all relevant information to the case.

d. Within 7 days of completion of the hearing conducted under this subsection, the commissioner shall mail or deliver to the owner his or her written determination stating the reasons therefore.

e. If an owner is not satisfied by the decision reached by the commissioner, he or she may make further appeal to the standards and appeal commission pursuant to s. 200-17.

10. REVOCATION. A certificate of residential rental code compliance may be revoked at the discretion of the commissioner if violations which are considered to be an unfit or unsafe condition pursuant to sub. 7-a are observed during a complaint investigation.

11. RULES AND REGULATIONS. The commissioner may issue rules and regulations for the administration of this section.

12. REMEDIES; OTHER PROVISIONS. a. The remedies provided in this section are not to be construed to be exclusive of any other remedy under this code, and the department may take further actions to ensure compliance with this section including, but not limited to, seeking injunctive relief and obtaining inspection warrants.

b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the department to perform housing inspections in accordance with this code.

c. Nothing in this section shall limit the department from enforcing any other provision of the code or any state or federal law under its jurisdiction.

d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve or exempt any person from complying with all applicable laws, this code, and standards and regulations relating to the condition and use of buildings and structures.

e. Nothing in this section shall limit, impair, alter or extend the rights and remedies of persons in the relationship of landlord and tenant that exist under applicable law.

13. PENALTY. a. An owner failing to apply for a residential rental certificate of compliance shall be subject to a forfeiture of $100 for the first failure to apply. The owner shall be subject to a forfeiture of $150 for failure to respond to each subsequent notice to apply which shall be sent by the department.

b. An owner failing to comply with any other provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in s. 200-19.

Part 4. Within 4 ½ years of the effective date of this ordinance [city clerk to insert date] the commissioner of neighborhood services shall evaluate the results and effectiveness of the pilot program and report to the common council these results and potential improvements to be made. The authorization of this pilot program shall expire 5 years from the effective date of the ordinance [city clerk to insert date] unless reauthorized by the common council. No additional inspection areas shall be added within the period of the pilot program.

Part 5. This ordinance shall be effective DATE TO BE DETERMINED. Owners of dwellings subject to this ordinance shall apply for a residential rental certificate no later than ______________________.

LRB

APPROVED AS TO FORM

_________________________

Legislative Reference Bureau

Date:_____________________

Attorney

IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE

IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE

________________________

Office of the City Attorney

Date:____________________

Requestor

Department of Neighborhood Services

Drafter

MET

10/9/09

LRB09315-3

Milwaukee’s Rental Inspection Program News

hgiese — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:36:42 +0000

Fox 6 report from 10/20/09

WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE - Will it keep landlords in check and renters safe? or is it a back door tax that targets property owners? A proposed ordinance to enforce building, and zoning codes is up for debate. One local group says it’s nonsense. According the the proposal the ordinance would be enforced in two Milwaukee neighborhoods, the UWM and Lindsay Heights neighborhood on the city’s north side. READ MORE

Journal Article 10/20/09

A proposed Milwaukee ordinance that requires apartment buildings to be certified by building inspectors before they can be rented is drawing criticism from a local group. READ MORE

Tristan Pettit’s Landlord Tenant Law Blog

Well I have finally been able to get my hands on a preliminary copy of the city of Milwaukee’s proposed mandatory rental inspection ordinance. The ordinance is sponsored by Alderman Kovac, Wade, Davis and Hines. The ordinance refers to the proposed program as a “Residential Rental Certificate” program. The program is really just a variation on “landlord licensing” and mandatorty rental inspection programs. I would encourage you to read the enitre proposed ordinance, but I have also set forth the key points below. READ MORE

Update on Milwaukee’s Proposed Mandatory Rental Unit Inspection Ordinance

tpettit — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:19:30 +0000

At this morning’s meeting with the city budget director some more information on Milwaukee’s proposed ordinance requiring the mandatory inspection of rental units was provided.

First, the proposed ordinance is in the final stages of drafting and will be released in the near future.

Second, it will be a 5 year pilot program in the UWM area only.

Third, there will be a fee of $40 per landlord and a $35 per unit inspection fee.

Fourth, the pilot program must be approved by the city’s common council each and every year in order for it to continue.

Fifth, if a rental unit passes its 1st inspection then the unit will receive a 4 year compliance certificate and will not need to be reinspected until the 4 years expires.

One Person’s View of Milwaukee’s Proposed Mandatory Rental Unit Inspection Program

tpettit — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:28:09 +0000

Here is a handout/pamphlet that was circulating on the east side of Milwaukee last week that focuses on some of the issues that tenants should be concerned about regarding Milwaukee’s proposed ordinance for mandatory rental unit inspections.