State Bar of Wisconsin's video: Eviction Moratoriums with U W Clinical Law Professor Mitch

U.W. Law Clinical Law Professor Mitch, directs the of the law school’s clinical programs and serves and director and supervising attorney for the Neighborhood Law Clinic, which represents tenants on housing issues. Since the CDC-imposed eviction moratorium for non-payment of rent, Prof. Mitch says evictions have significantly decreased from the normal level. “But we are seeing a lot of folks being evicted for what’s called a non-renewal,” Mitch said. “This is someone whose lease term is up. At the end of the lease, a lot of lessor’s are not renewing the lease and that is leading people into distress.” Mitch also noted a number of assistance programs including the new funding allotment through extension of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ‘Those payments can go directly to rental owners as long as they are working with renters. Unfortunately we have heard from some renters who have indicated that their property owners don’t want to work with them to access those funds,” Mitch said. Prof. Mitch whenever the eviction moratorium is lifted, expects that an influx of eviction actions will be filed if tenants cannot pay accrued rent. He encourages landlords and tenants to work together to access funds that are available for rental assistance. “They should lobby for more rental assistance. Lessors and lessees are like businesses and customers. The business cannot exist if customers aren’t paying,” he said. “Rather than seeing it as an adversarial situation, lessors and lessees need to work together to sustain the rental housing market.” More on the Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Manual Practice tools. The Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Manual (https://marketplace.wisbar.org/store/products/books/ak0439e01-wi-landlord-tenant-manual%2C-ed-1-rev-(fy21)/c-25/c-80/p-23090) is chock-full of sample forms, including numerous Wisconsin Legal Blank forms authored by attorney Tristan Pettit, and many Wisconsin court forms and guides. The chapters also contain many helpful practice tips. Especially for attorneys who address landlord-tenant issues on an infrequent basis, this book is the ideal easy reference to keep on hand. Real-world experience. The Manual provides both landlord and tenant perspectives so that you know how best to move forward. To the extent possible, the Manual provides practical knowledge and discussion of the differences among counties in applying state landlord-tenant law and local ordinances. Accessible to all audiences. Attorneys and non-attorneys alike can benefit from this book. Written in plain English, the book will inform non-attorneys of their rights and responsibilities and spell out a course of action for addressing the issue at hand. From college students to property management employees, the book can help answer questions such as: What do you do if your landlord refuses to make a repair? What must a landlord do when a tenant leaves property behind in the rental unit? What are lawful reasons for keeping a tenant’s deposit after they vacate a property? When must you have an attorney represent your interests in court? Also included is a glossary that explains basic landlord-tenant terms. Whether you’re handling your first eviction case, devote a large part of your legal practice to landlord-tenant law, regularly work with tenants, or are a tenant with questions about your rights and responsibilities, you’ll benefit from the Wisconsin Landlord & Tenant Manual’s comprehensive overview of the residential rental process.