NEWS
Wanted: leaks, roaches and carpet stains — Worst House in Madison contest launches
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- Original "Worst House" winners threatened by landlord (April 24, 2002)
- Doty residence wins ASM 'Worst' prize (April 25, 2002)
- Judge makes tenants pay (April 13, 2007)
- ASM selects house (April 22, 2005)
by Michelle Orris
Thursday, February 28, 2002
With the goal of improving landlord accountability and off-campus living conditions for UW-Madison students, the Associated Students of Madison’s Tenants Rights Campaign hosted a press conference Wednesday to kick off the Worst House In Madison contest.
Before entering the contest, a student must have made previous attempts to contact his or her landlord for building or maintenance assistance without results. Applications are being accepted until April 18.
“We are trying to publicize irresponsible landlords, not lazy tenants,” Chris Tatarowicz, co-coordinator of the Tenants Rights Campaign said.
Applicants must write a short essay outlining their landlord problems to worsthouse@yahoo.com. Cash and prizes from local businesses will be awarded to the winners.
Tatarowicz said students should not be concerned with negative repercussions of entering their house in the WHIM contest.
“Landlord retaliation is illegal, so students should not worry about how their landlord will react,” Tatarowicz said. “Nothing will ever change if no one vocalizes their problems.”
The Tenants Rights Committee sponsors the contest out of concern for limited student-tenant resources. As a result, the TRC is launching an online survey where tenants can inform fellow students of their landlords’ qualities, whether positive or negative. The results will be compiled and posted online so students can research potential landlords and housing histories.
Erica Christoph, campus coordinator of the city’s Tenant Resource Center, said survey questions address issues such as landlord repairs, responsiveness and illegal entering or showing.
“This data can put pressure on landlords who aren’t ranked highly,” Christoph said.
As an added incentive to fill out the survey, five students who complete the evaluation before April 1 will receive gift certificates to local establishments. The survey is accessible through the ASM web site at www.asm.wisc.edu.
ASM Tenants Rights intern Christina McCabe Wagner said the group is also working with City Council members to push legislation for student tenants.
“We are attending City Council meetings and lobbying to support UW-Madison tenants,” Wagner said.
The Council is scheduled to discuss tenants’ rights and responsibilities at its March 5 meeting.
“Too many students are not even aware of the living conditions of their fellow students,” Tatarowicz said. “We need to increase awareness and inform tenants of their legal rights.”
The first contest was held in 1998 and was held again in spring 2001. Properties owned by the Houden family “won” both contests. Its tenants experienced rats, sloped ceilings and floors and light fixtures dripping water.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the Houden family has a poor track record and has been repeatedly inspected by the city.
Verveer said the contest benefits student tenants.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the Worst House In Madison project,” Verveer said.
Although he said resources today are scarce for tenants seeking to investigate prospective landlords, Tatarowicz is optimistic that by the end of the semester students will be better informed as the result of the committee’s efforts.
“We’re starting from the ground up to ultimately reach better living conditions for UW students,” Tatarowicz said.
