Kenosha Tenants Deserve References From Landlords Too

When you apply for an apartment in Kenosha, landlords can ask you for rental history, references from previous landlords, proof of income, credit information, and other personal information.

But what information can the tenant get about the landlord?

Tenants should have the opportunity to make an informed decision before signing a lease and turning over their hard-earned money.

I am asking the City of Kenosha Common Council to work toward a fair and transparent system that gives prospective tenants access to factual information about the landlord and rental property, including, where legally permitted:

• The identity and contact information of the landlord or property manager
• Documented housing-code violations involving the property
• Documented housing-code enforcement actions
• Whether documented violations were corrected
• Information about the property’s management and maintenance history
• A standardized landlord reference or disclosure when legally authorized

FAIRNESS SHOULD GO BOTH WAYS

Landlords have a legitimate interest in knowing whether an applicant has been a responsible tenant.

Tenants have a legitimate interest in knowing whether a landlord has been a responsible housing provider.

Before signing a lease, tenants should not have to rely solely on online reviews, word of mouth, or whatever information a landlord chooses to provide.

I am asking the City of Kenosha to:

1. Review what landlord-transparency protections the City can legally provide.

2. Create the strongest legally permissible system for prospective tenants to obtain information about rental properties and landlords.

3. Establish a public system for factual, nonconfidential rental-property information where legally permitted.

4. Explore a standardized landlord-reference system.

5. If Wisconsin law prevents Kenosha from taking these steps, ask the Wisconsin Legislature to change the law.

This isn’t about punishing landlords.

It’s about fairness, transparency, and giving both sides information before entering into a housing agreement.

SIGN THE PETITION

If you believe tenants deserve the same opportunity to make an informed decision about who they are renting from, please sign this petition and share it with other Kenosha residents.

Let’s make rental housing more transparent for everyone.