In the Dirt: A Real Estate Legal Update

Owners and managers of multifamily rental properties are facing a growing number of challenges. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reported more than 1,900 formal complaints were filed, and there were more than 6,000 contacts to their hotline, related to landlord/tenant disputes last year making it the number one category of complaints, and a massive increase since 2018 when there were 1,188 complaints. Clearly landlord/tenant conflicts are escalating and will continue to rise if some pending proposals are enacted.

Short-term rentals of property, including, rentals for as short of time as on an hourly basis, are increasing in frequency around the country. The character of a community can be dramatically altered by such rentals and cause concerns for homeowners related to property values, security, and peace of mind.