Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Wisconsin

How to handle a slumlord

I moved in my apartment on July 5th 2002. 1} I did not get the apartment I chose. 2} I did not have a stove or a refrigerator, then when I finally got them the fridge it did not work and ruined 100.00 dollars worth of food, finally after 2 weeks of begging they brought me a new one and it was dirty filled with dead roaches and the freezer was filled with ice it took me 2 days to defrost it. 3} I have a picture window that leaks when it rains, 4} I have started to see roaches 4} We have mice, 5} I do not have a mailbox 6} the lock on my apartment door dose not work all the time and 7} I have 2 plastic poles holding up my bathroom sink. I have reported all these problems to the caretaker of my building and the property management team with no results. I am in the process of looking for another place, do I have any legal rights to get them to pay for my moving expenses and give me my security deposit. I would not have to move if they took care of there building.


Asked on 9/04/02, 10:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
JAY Nixon nixon law offices

Re: How to handle a slumlord

If you can afford it, you can sue for breach of contract and damages, if you can prove them based upon your lease, photographs, etc. It could end up being an expensive piece of litigation with uncertain results, but you might minimize your expenses by doing it yourself in small claims court. Wisconsin also has a statute permitting witholding of rent for failure to make orderred repairs, but the rent still must be paid into the court. It's not practical for one tenant, but can be for a group of tenants. In the long run, your solution of finding a different landlord is likely to give you the most satisfaction.

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Answered on 9/05/02, 3:19 pm


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