The Tenants Rights Campaign of the Associated Students of Madison announced the start of its third annual Worst House in Madison contest in a press conference Wednesday.
The contest aims to improve housing conditions by pointing out neglectful landlords and educating tenants of their rights. By publicizing the contest “winner,” the groups aim to expose landlords who neglect the legal rights of their tenants.
The contest, organized by ASM, is supported by the Tenants Resource Center and the City of Madison. Student tenants of sub-par housing are urged to report their living conditions to the Tenants Rights Campaign.
This year, groups have added a “best house” aspect to the contest. Organizers hope to receive positive evaluations of landlords as well, to reward landlords for keeping up their properties.
“This year we are trying to get a better idea of how students feel overall about their landlords,” said Andrew Finn, ASM tenants rights co-coordinator.
Finn said he is hoping for a large response to the contest this year so the campaign’s efforts help paint an accurate picture of the student living situation in Madison.
Last year’s contest saw a last-minute withdrawal of the selected winner because of alleged threats from the tenants’ landlord.
“It is never a good thing when a landlord threatens a tenant, but it exposes the issue,” said Phil Ejercito, ASM tenant’s rights co-coordinator of the Mifflin withdrawal last year. ASM, along with the supporters of this year’s contest, said any tenant has the legal right to submit an entry to this contest. One tenant has already come forward with concerns about being evicted by his landlord simply because he submitted an entry to the contest, but organizers say this shouldn’t be a concern.
“Your landlord cannot evict you or retaliate against you for entering this contest or winning this contest,” Finn said.
District 4 Ald. Mike Verveer agreed the law is on the students’ side, and that this contest is legal.
Verveer also said that the majority of the previous winners have not had problems with their landlords.
Verveer said the contest has made a positive difference in the condition of housing on campus, and that building inspectors conduct thorough inspections of all contest entries. The previous “winners” of the contest, when inspected, were found to have numerous housing code violations.
Tenant Resource Center Campus Coordinator Tanya Stanfield said students need not enter the contest to have a building inspector review their house or apartment. Madison residents can call building inspectors (608-266-4451) to inspect their house or apartment and, if housing codes are violated, inspectors can mandate landlords to make changes.
Stanfield said the contest helps familiarize student tenants with their rights as renters.
Students who wish to submit an entry to the Worst House in Madison contest can e-mail their name, address, name of their landlord and any other information that qualifies them to win “worst house” to [email protected].
ASM will also be hosting a free Tenant Aid Concert at the Memorial Union Terrace April 23, the day that the “winner” will be announced. Proceeds of this concert will go to helping better the lives of the contest “winner.”
Winners of “worst house” win free laundry, tanning and food.
