Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in La Crosse

Find the right Tenant attorney in La Crosse, WI

Tenant Law in Wisconsin

In La Crosse, Wisconsin, it's not easy to be a tenant or a landlord, and relations between those parties can sometimes get testy.

Landlords and tenants have various rights and responsibilities. What follows is a partial list of the rights that landlords and tenants have, and the corresponding duties of the other party.

Landlord's Rights in La Crosse, WI

Most obviously, landlords have a right to collect rent from their tenants. When a tenant agrees to pay a landlord a specific amount of money for the right to occupy the landlord's property, a contract is formed. Tenants have to hold up their end of the deal.

Moreover, landlords can bill the tenant for any damage they cause to the unit, whether it was intentional or negligent. The costs of repairs for such damage can be deducted from a tenant's security deposit, but it should be noted that tenants aren't responsible for usual wear and tear, over which they have little control.

Tenant's Rights in La Crosse, WI

Much like landlords have a right to get paid for the service they provide, tenants have a right to get what they pay for: a suitable place to live. In La Crosse, Wisconsin, all residential rental agreements carry an "implied warranty of habitability." This means that a landlord implicitly guarantees that any residence he or she rents will be fit for human habitation. In general, an unit will be automatically deemed uninhabitable if it lacks running water, electricity, heat, and adequate protection from the elements. There are several more factors that can be considered, as well, but those are some of the basics.

Tenants also have a right to ensure that the common areas of their apartment building are reasonably safe. Landlords are required to make sure that the common areas of their buildings meet La Crosse, Wisconsin's building codes, and that there are no conditions that create unnecessary safety hazards. They are required to make, at their own expense, the proper repairs.

Tenants also have rights, under federal and Wisconsin law, to not be victims of racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination in housing, whether they are renting or buying. Moreover, landlords are not allowed to discriminate against tenants based on physical disabilities. They must also allow physically-disabled tenants to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible. However, the landlord can require tenants to remove those modifications and restore the property to its original condition once the tenant moves out.

Finally, tenants are legally protected from arbitrary eviction. Landlords usually must have a very good reason to evict a tenant before the lease agreement reaches the end of its term (at this point, they are of course allowed to decline to renew the lease). Of course, if the tenant breaches the lease agreement (such as by failing to pay rent, damaging the property, or violating other reasonable rules the landlord has put in the lease), the landlord, like a party to any other contract, is free to terminate the agreement and evict the breaching tenant.

Can a La Crosse, Wisconsin Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants almost always prefer to avoid conflict. In a perfect world, tenants would pay rent on time, and landlords would always provide the services that they're being paid for. As we know, the world isn't perfect. When cases demonstrate the world's imperfection, a La Crosse, Wisconsin real estate attorney can help, whether you're a landlord or a tenant.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in La Crosse

La Crosse is located in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The city is home to around 52,500 people and lies alongside the beautiful Mississippi River! It is known as a college town because it is home to University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University and Western Technical College.

Top employers include the university system, Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center, Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, Trane Corporation, Kwik Trip, CenturyLink, and Wal-Mart. There are also small law offices with excellent, actively-practicing attorneys to support the legal needs of local businesses and residents.

Famous residents include David Ackert, John Ake, George Dahlgren, Alexa Demara, Charles Dierkop, Minnie Dupree, Paul Fitzke, Don Iverson, Scott Servais, Jarrod Washburn, and George Williams.

Overall, La Cross is a gorgeous city with a wonderful quality of life. Visitors leave with a smile and residents are proud to call it home.

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