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Have the worst landlord? Tell Student Tenant Union
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A University of Wisconsin student organization is sponsoring a contest this week to unveil the worst-kept student houses in Madison as a way to expose negligent landlords.
The Student Tenant Union is bringing back the Worst House in Madison contest, in which students can post stories and photos of their poorly maintained homes or apartments to the organization’s website.
The STU plans to hold a press conference outside the worst house. On behalf of the winners, STU will contact the city building inspector to assess the residence’s damage. Additionally, in acknowledgement of putting up with bad living conditions, the winners will receive small prizes.
“We want to create an atmosphere in the community for competition for the best quality of apartments among landlords,” said Joe Lindstrom, STU chair. “We are hoping that the contest will serve as an outlet for the frustrated and provide information for other students.”
According to Lindstrom, problems arise when students sign leases several months before they move in.
If students hold off on signing, landlords will feel a sense of urgency to improve living conditions in the unit to make the unit more appealing to students, Lindstrom said.
“Renting later provides more pressure on landlords to fix things and makes apartments more desirable for prospective tenants,” Lindstrom added.
Beginning tomorrow, students will be able to enter the contest at STU’s website by posting a narrative, photos and any other documentation they have of conditions in their apartment.
“What we are looking for is actual damage done to the property,” Lindstrom said, adding everything from cracked and broken windows to invasive landlords showing up without notice or showing up too often are complaints STU is looking for.
Nancy Jensen, executive director of the Apartment Association of South Central Wisconsin, said she supports the contest.
Jensen said the ordinance requiring landlords to provide photographic proof of damages, enacted last week by the city council, will give student residents better representation.
According to Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, the two big problems that arise with student renters are discrepancies over the security deposit and disagreement between landlords and tenants in regard to repairs and evictions.
“Communication among everyone involved is absolutely essential,” Judge added. “Tenants need to educate themselves on what their rights are and need to read their leases.”
The Apartment Association provides educational information for homeowners, property managers and residents in hopes of informing them of better living conditions.
Jensen said 60 percent of housing in Madison is rental housing.
“Owners change, people move in and out. There is always a lot of flow,” Jensen said.
In past years, the contest winner has received a harsh response from landlords.
Usually landlords are upset they are getting negative exposure, Lindstrom said, adding this spawns improvements and corrections from landlords.
“This also provides a warning to other landlords who are committing similar violations and digressions,” Lindstrom added.
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HOUSES FOR Fall 2010. All houses are on W Dayton or N Bassett. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 bedrooms. All have parking. madisoncampusrentals.com
Can there also be a prize for the best landlord? It would be nice to show off some of the best practices around Madison as well as the deplorable ones.
Joe Lindstrom and Eli Judge come together to help tenants. Critical Badger=Exploded Head.
it’s about time Greg Suddeth receives his honor of ‘worst landlord’
long time coming, bud
i also wish there was an outlet for me to say i have the best landlord. ever.