Renting presents issues of privacy for the involved parties. Tenants want
privacy to be respected while landlords and inspectors want to perform
effective jobs.
There is a myth that landlords have to give a 24-hour notice before
entering a rental property. According to The Wisconsin Way tenant’s rights fact
sheet, a landlord has the right to inspect, repair, and show the premises at
reasonable times with a 12-hour advance notice. The landlord may enter with
less notice in the case of an emergency or if the tenant agrees to a shorter
notice.
“It can sometimes feel weird when a landlord comes over. You’re nervous
they will come in and hate the mess, find something they didn’t like, or worse,
find something to charge you for,” admits La Crosse student renter, Brandon
Forcier.
Landlord-tenant law provides that a tenant has the right to exclusive
possession of the unit during the tenancy, unless the landlord and tenant have
agreed to a Non-Standard Rental Provision that specifically authorizes the
entry. The landlord has no general right to enter the unit without the tenant's
permission.
State law does authorize the landlord to enter the premises without advance
approval under certain circumstances regarding safety and emergency situations.
Tenants are uncomfortable with inspectors entering their home as well.
According to the La Crosse Chief Inspector, Dave Reinhart, tenants sometimes
fear the property will be condemned or they evicted if an inspector finds a
major issue. Tenant eviction is always a process that involves a court order.
A landlord who receives written notice from a law enforcement agency that
the dwelling unit has been declared a nuisance under Wisconsin statutes may
evict the tenant. Depending on the purpose of the eviction, failure of pay rent
or other contract violation, the tenant will receive either a five or fourteen
day notice.
“Some tenants will call with complaints, but when we try to make an
appointment to inspect their rental, the tenants change their mind about us
coming over,” says Reinhart.
