Archive for category Protected Classes

City of Milwaukee Releases Its 2010 Schedule of Special Sessions for The Landlord Training Program

Jan 10

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in City of Milwaukee, Evictions, Fair Housing / Discrimination, Landlording, Lead-Based Paint, Notices of Breach, Protected Classes, Screening Tenants, Seminars | 1 Comment

The City of Milwaukee has just released its 2010 Schedule of Special Sessions for The Landlord Training Program.  The focus of these 5 special seminars will be on learning how to effectively and professionally manage your rental properties.  All of the sessions will take place on Saturday mornings to allow those of you who work an additional job (aside from being a landlord) to attend.

I am very honored to have been asked, as president of the Apartment Association of SE Wisconsin, to present one of these special sessions on Saturday, August 14, 2010.  The topic that I will be addressing is the Judicial Eviction Process.  The seminar will run from 9 am – 12 pm at Alverno College’s Wehr Theater which is located at 3441 S. 39th Street.

Other special sessions in the 2010 program include:

February 6, 2010:     (1) The District Attorney’s new diversion program for tenant’s who “bounce” their rent checks  - presented by A.D.A. Ron Dague, and  (2) The EPA’s new renovation rules regarding lead-based paint which will become effective later this year – taught by Ada Duffey of Milwaukee Lead/Asbestos Information Center, Inc.

April 24, 2010:     Screening Tenants and how using a good tenant screening company can assist you during the very important screening process - presented by Kathy Huens of Landlord Services, LLC

June 12, 2010:     Fair Housing Practices – Know Your Local, State and Federal Laws – presented by Margaret Bowitz of the Milwaukee Metro Fair Housing Council

October 2, 2010:    Fire and Building Codes – presented by Deputy Fire Chief Michael Payne and Department of Neighborhood Services Commissioner Art Dahlberg

All sessions are free of charge but ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.  To register call (414) 286-2934 or email jhagne@milwaukee.gov

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Free Landlord-Tenant Law Seminar To Be Held On October 24, 2009

Sep 24

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in AASEW, City of Milwaukee, DNS, Evictions, Fair Housing / Discrimination, Protected Classes, Rental Agreements, Rental Documents, Screening Tenants, Seminars | No Comments

On Saturday October 24, 2009 from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm at the UWM Union Ballroom the UW-Milwaukee COAST and the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services will be offering a free landlord-tenant law seminar to the public.  This seminar is NOT restricted to just landlords and tenants in the UW-M area.

On behalf of the AASEW, I will be presenting a portion of the seminar on the topics of causes for eviction, notices terminating tenancy and the eviction process.  Additional topics that will be covered include applicant screening, rental documents, management of rental properties, fair housing issues, DNS inspection process, and the role of law enforcement.

For more detailed information regarding who the presenters will be and how to register please refer to the attached flyer.

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Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 Rent Assistance) Are Not A “Lawful Source of Income” In Wisconsin

Aug 13

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Protected Classes, Screening Tenants | 1 Comment

I am often asked whether or not a landlord is able to legally decline to rent to a tenant that is receiving “rent assistance.”   I believe that the primary reason that landlords are unsure of the answer to this question  is because Wisconsin’s Open Housing Act (Sec. 106.50, Wis. Stats.) prohibits a landlord from discriminating against a tenant or a prospective tennat based on their ”lawful source of income.”  For more information on Wisconsin’s protected classes you should read my prior post entitled “FAIR HOUSING – Part 1:  What Are The Protected Classes?” Read the rest of this entry »

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Fair Housing – Part 3: Legal Reasons To Deny A Rental Applicant

Aug 4

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Protected Classes, Screening Tenants | 3 Comments

From reviewing the analytics program that works in conjunction with my blog, I have learned that my two prior posts on fair housing/discrimination issues peaked a lot of interest which resulted in them being two of my most read posts to date.  My prior posts can be read here and here.  As a result I have decided to add another post related to Fair Housing issues.

When I give seminars on the topic of screening and accepting tenants, especially after I have just discussed the 12 protected classes, the attendees often feel as if they are not allowed to reject any applicant that is a member of a protected class.  The important thing to remember is that you are legally allowed to deny rental to a member of a protected class as long as the reason you are denying them rental is not becasue they are a member of a protected class.  This is a subtle distinction but a very important one.  If you keep this distinction in mind during your screening process I think you will feel less “hamstrung” in general and hopefully more confident that you are not running afoul of the law.  Read the rest of this entry »

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FAIR HOUSING – PART 2: Interesting Statistics from HUD’s 2008 Annual Report

Jul 10

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Protected Classes | No Comments

I was recently reviewing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report on Fair Housing.  Not exactly beach reading but then the weather here in Milwaukee isn’t exactly conducive to going to the beach.

HUD and its various Fair Housing Assistance Programs (FHAP) agencies handle all complaints regarding discrimination related to the federal protected classes.  To see a list if the 7 federal protected classes please refer to my earlier post here.  The report contained some very interesting statistics.  You can review the entire Annual Report here. (Be patient as it is a large document and takes awhile to download) Read the rest of this entry »

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FAIR HOUSING – PART 1: What Are The Protected Classes?

Jul 10

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Protected Classes, Screening Tenants | 2 Comments

A large part of my law practice is meeting with and consulting with landlords and management companies with regard to how to avoid trouble. This would include assisting them with the drafting of rental documents and guiding them on the proper notice to use when terminating a tenancy. It also includes consulting with clients with regard to fair housing / discrimination issues.

I enjoy this consulting work as it typically occurs before the landlord is embroiled in a dispute or litigation – thus my client tends to be in a better mood at the consulting stage which puts me in a better mood also. Read the rest of this entry »

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NEW LEGISLATION TO MAKE VICTIMS OF ABUSE A NEW PROTECTED CLASS

May 15

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Legislation, Protected Classes | 1 Comment

On May 14, 2009, Wisconsin Senator Spencer Coggs along with 7 other state senators introduced 2009 Senate Bill 204 entitled the “Victim Fair Housing Act.”

This bill will prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of a person’s status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. The bill also prohibits the owner of housing from requiring that a rental applicant supply information concerning the person’s status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. Read the rest of this entry »

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