Skip to main content

(414) 276-2850

Tristan’s Landlord-Tenant Law Blog

Archive of: Protected Classes

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

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

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 ...

Read More

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

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

Read More

FAIR HOUSING - PART 2: Interesting Statistics from HUD's 2008 Annual Report

Posted by Tristan R. Pettit, Esq. in Fair Housing / Discrimination, Protected Classes / 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 ...

Read More

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

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

Read More

NEW LEGISLATION TO MAKE VICTIMS OF ABUSE A NEW PROTECTED CLASS

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

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 ...

Read More