Finding an
apartment or house to rent requires thorough inspections to ensure the quality
of the residence before signing a lease. It is a tenant’s right to thoroughly inspect a
residence before renting. The city of La Crosse’s Building and Inspections
Department provides a booklet with information that all tenants should know
regarding health codes, lease-specific agreements, breaking leases, security
deposits and more.
State code
requires landlords to comply with city inspection and licensing. When renting
in LaCrosse, a tenant should ask to see the certificate for proof that the
residence is up to code.
Once signing a
lease, a tenant has 7 days from the first rental date to inspect the residence,
reporting back to the landlord with any defects so that it will not be unfairly
taken from the deposit once vacating. A landlord is also required to supply a
tenant with a furnished copy of a written lease or agreement, which should
always be kept for records.
When viewing an
apartment, make sure that the landlord is showing the actual residence
interested in and not a “show” unit. Some landlords use this tactic when they
claim to have multiple units that are of same size and layout.
Check for
electrical, plumbing and other safety hazards. Turn on all light switches to be
sure that they work, as well as outlets. If outlets or sockets do not work,
there could be dangerous defects in the electrical system that could cause
fires. Often overlooked when viewing a residence is plumbing. Turn on the
faucets of the sinks and bathtub/showers to check for working hot water and
leaks.
Always remember to
look up. Check for signs of mold and water stains or cracks in the walls and
ceilings. These may indicate a leaking roof, defective rain gutters, or defective
plumbing on an upper level, all of which could possibly result in collapse of
the walls or ceilings.
For safety, check
the deadbolts and locks on the apartment doors and exterior doors. Also, check
that there are smoke detectors throughout the entire building. Open all
cabinets and closets, checking for roaches, ants, rats, mice, and animal
droppings.
While renting,
landlords are required to make repairs that are necessary to comply with local
housing codes to keep the premises safe. If a landlord does not do so, a tenant
is able to file a report to the local building or health inspector.
Landlords have the
right to inspect, repair, and show the residence at reasonable times. Unless in
the case of an emergency, a landlord must give a 12 hour notice before entering
an apartment or house, unless the tenant allows entry on a shorter notice.
If a tenant chooses
to “break” a lease by moving out early, the tenant may be obligated to pay rent
for the remainder of the term of the lease unless a new tenant to take over the
lease is found. In the state of Wisconsin, tenants are allowed to sub-lease out
to other people, or a landlord must make a reasonable effort to find a
substitute tenant. A landlord may not confiscate personal belongings, turn off
utilities, lock the tenant out, or use force to remove them. If moving out
early, the tenant must notify the landlord in writing after vacating the
premises in order to start the “21 day clock” for the return of the security
deposit.
For any deductions
made from the deposit, the landlord must provide the tenant with a written
statement itemizing the amounts withheld.
If a problem
occurs between a tenant and landlord, there are services available for tenants.
Information and assistance is available from various local groups and agencies,
including housing code officials, landlord and tenant associations, and the
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, and Trade and Consumer Protection.
