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.