Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Kenosha

Find the right Tenant attorney in Kenosha, WI

Tenant Law in Wisconsin

In Kenosha, Wisconsin, it's not simple to be a tenant or a landlord, and relations between those parties can occasionally get testy.

Landlords and tenants have several 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 Kenosha, WI

Most obviously, landlords have a right to collect rent from their tenants. When a tenant agrees to pay a landlord a certain 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.

Furthermore, 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 liable for ordinary wear and tear, over which they have little control.

Tenant's Rights in Kenosha, WI

At the most basic level, tenants have a basic right to what they're paying for: a habitable living environment. Therefore, landlords in Kenosha, Wisconsin must ensure that the units they rent to tenants meet some basic standards for human habitation. These requirements vary from state to state, but are often fairly easy to meet. There are no legal requirements that rented units be pretty, particularly spacious, or luxurious. They simply have to be fit for human beings to live in them. To be considered "habitable," rented units must have water, electricity, some form of heating (if the local climate necessitates it), and adequate protection from the elements (proper insulation, no roof leaks, windows that close, etc.).

Furthermore, tenants are entitled to common areas which are reasonably safe and clean, and free of physical obstacles. Areas such as lobbies, hallways, stairwells, and fire escapes must comply with the building codes of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Furthermore, any other unreasonable safety hazard, even if it doesn't violate a specific provision of a building code, can create liability for the landlord if it injures a tenant.

Under the laws of Wisconsin, and the United States, discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religion, or gender is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, landlords must not discriminate against renters on the basis of any physical disability. They also have to allow the renter to make reasonable modifications to their apartment, to make it more accessible. Generally, landlords are only required to allow relatively minor and reversible modifications, and tenants cannot compel them to remodel the building, for example. Also, once the tenant leaves, the landlord can bill the tenant for the costs of restoring the apartment to its original condition.

Lastly, the laws of most states safeguard tenants from unfair eviction. In general, as long as a tenant is paying rent on time, and is not damaging the unit, they cannot be evicted before the term of the lease expires, unless there is a very good reason to do so (such as excessive noise caused by the tenant, or illegal activities in the apartment).

Can a Kenosha, Wisconsin Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, chances are that you want to prevent conflict. But if you do end up in a seemingly irresolvable conflict with the other party, a Kenosha, Wisconsin attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Kenosha

Kenosha is located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. It's population was 99,218 as of 2011. It is a well-recognized city in Wisconsin because it is the fourth largest city in the state. Surrounding areas include Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Kale Michigan

Some popular areas include Washington Park, Petrifying Springs Park, Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum, and Library Park. As evident, Kenosha is a great host to nature-lovers because of its many parks.

Top employers include Milken Institute, Abbott Laboratories, Simmons Bedding Company, Jockey International, and American Motors Corporation. To support such companies, Kenosha also has an excellent legal force capable of handling the legal needs of both residents and corporations.

All in all, Kenosha has some beautiful sites, offers small town charm and a loving community. It is a wonderful place to call home or visit!

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