Renting in Milwaukee? Here are some things you need to know.

Talis Shelbourne, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·6 min read
A "for rent" sign is shown outside of a property.
A "for rent" sign is shown outside of a property.

Renting the space you will call home is a big decision. The Journal Sentinel has put together a guide to help you along the way.

RELATED:Milwaukee rents still 11% above pre-pandemic levels as inflation wanes

Before you move-in

Always complete a walk-through before you move in and check for the following:

  • Light switches are working, and the lights are not flickering

  • Watermarks and other evidence of flooding in the basement, such as mold

  • The toilet flushes properly

  • Patchy ceiling repairs/other signs of a roof leaking

  • Water comes out of the faucets of all sinks and the shower/tub and drains well

  • Check outlets for dark stains, sparks or looseness

  • Window screens are secure, there are no paint chips at the windowsill and no drafts of air near windows

  • Mold/Discoloration on the bathroom walls or ceiling

  • Missing floor tiles in the kitchen/bathroom.

  • Front/Back (and screen) doors close and lock properly

  • Stained/dirty carpet. Holes and/or nails sticking out of wood floors

You should be provided a move-in checklist to document the condition of the apartment when you move in. Be sure to write down and photograph any and all damage, including what is listed above.

You can check the city of Milwaukee's website for violations at a particular address. Go to the city website (https://itmdapps.milwaukee.gov/MyMilwaukeeHome/indexSidebar.jsp)  and enter your address. After clicking search, you can click on “See Details” next to “Property Registration, Code Violations, and Permits.” Wisconsin law lists items that make a unit uninhabitable, such as a lack of running water or unsafe electrical wiring.

Consider renters insurance. It helps protect your possessions from fire, theft, vandalism or something else. Read more about renter’s insurance here: https://oci.wi.gov/Documents/Consumers/PI-017.pdf.

If you have a disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations/modifications, such as the use of a service animal, requesting a wheelchair ramp, or lowering countertops. Be aware that they may be at your own cost. For more information, call Disability Rights Wisconsin at 800-928-8778.

If the landlord promises to make repairs or modifications before move-in, confirm that via text or email. Before moving in, while you live there and when you move out, always communicate with the landlord and/or apartment manager via text message or email, so there is a written record.

Look out for red flags in your lease agreement (via Insider, Forbes and Apartments.com). Check the length of your tenancy, which utilities are included and whether you must pay for pest control or repairs. You have the right to amend a lease before signing it.

The federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule requires landlords to provide you with a “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home” pamphlet, Lead Warning Statement in your lease and tell you about any known lead hazards.

If you ever feel discriminated against, reach out to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council.

While you are living there

Be sure to get a receipt for all of your rental payments. If you are paying via check or a service such as Venmo or Paypal, write the month and the word “rent” to specify what you are paying for.

Take pictures of any damage, shoddy maintenance or appliances that need repair. It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against you for demanding repairs be made or for calling a building inspector.

Even if the home is uninhabitable, always pay your rent on time and keep a record of those payments to avoid eviction. You can contact a mediator through the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center or work with the Department of Neighborhood Services if a landlord is refusing repairs. For more information on how to do that, call the Rental Housing Resource Center at (414) 895-7368.

Need to make a complaint against a landlord or request a building inspector come out? Call the Department of Neighborhood Services at (414) 286-2268. You can find more information about making complaints here.

In non-emergency situations, the landlord must give you 12-hours-notice to enter your apartment, according to Wisconsin law. However, you do not have to be present when they enter the home.

Unless you have explicit written approval from your landlord, avoid making any important changes to your unit, such as changing flooring, appliances, paint colors or windows.

Avoid making any repairs on your own without explicit written approval from your landlord — it is often advised to allow the landlord to make repairs to reduce your liability if something goes wrong later.

Respond to any court summons you receive while you are living in the residence.

If you are ever late with the rent and incur a late fee, be sure to pay your rent and last month’s late fee. Afterward, double-check with the landlord via text, email or written letter that your balance is zero to ensure late fees do not pile up.

When you leave

It is illegal for a landlord to evict you without an order from a judge and/or without notice. This includes placing your belongings outside, changing the locks and turning off electricity or other essential utilities.

If your landlord files an eviction notice, tenant advocates encourage you to seek legal representation at your court hearing through Milwaukee’s Right to Counsel program. For more information on that, call Eviction Free MKE at (414) 892-7368.

It is important to clean your place thoroughly, spackle and fill any holes, and return the place to the condition it was in (or better) before you moved in. To increase your chances of a return on your security deposit, record evidence of the condition of your unit by taking photos or video of every room with all of the cabinets and appliances open.

In Wisconsin, a landlord must provide your security deposit 21 days after the lease ends and/or send a list of deductions from your deposit along with whatever money remains.

Websites and agencies

Tipsheets

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has a landlord/tenant guide, Frequently Asked Questions page and a Tenant Rights and Responsibilities handbook.

Can’t get in touch with anyone at the city or housing agency? Reach out to the Journal Sentinel.

You can download/print our renter's guide here

Talis Shelbourne is an investigative solutions reporter covering the issues of affordable housing and lead poisoning. Have a tip? You can reach Talis at (414) 403-6651 or tshelbourn@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @talisseer and message her on Facebook at @talisseer.

How are we doing? Fill out this survey and let us know.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Renting in Milwaukee? Here are some things you need to know