Rental Inspection Program

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.

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.

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.