The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
A law was recently passed that limits local control over the safety requirements of rental units, ultimately giving more leeway to landlords.
Meleesa Johnson, director of solid waste management for Marathon County, is the fifth district alderperson for Stevens Point. Johnson explains that prior to this law the city was able to inspect rental units in order to ensure that certain safety codes were being met by the landlords.
“The city is not quite sure what this means, but at a minimum students should know that local units of government are restricted from inspecting or licensing unless there is a complaint against the property,” Johnson said.
Johnson feels that limiting the local control of rental safety could have serious downfalls.
“The city has the best interest of the renters and that’s why we have had this system of inspecting these units,” Johnson said.
The law also states that a landlord has the right to evict a tenant if illegal activity is suspected by either the tenant or a guest.
“This is suspected activity. They are guilty and don’t have an opportunity to prove that they are innocent. This is about civil liberties. Under the Bill of Rights we are innocent until proven guilty. It’s wrong,” Johnson said.
Alex Thomas, senior biology and soil and waste management major, is a former intern of Johnson. Thomas is currently a tenant in Stevens Point.
“One of my concerns is that unless that there are physical signs of concern for a rental property, it cannot be inspected. I think that is a huge overreach,” Thomas said.
As a renter, Thomas feels that he has less confidence in his own safety, because the city has less power.
“If a house looks like it’s going to crumble to the ground, the city can go in and inspect it, but you can’t always see issues without inspecting them,” Thomas said.
Kaylee Bast, junior communication and business major, is also a tenant in Stevens Point.
“I understand that landlords don’t want illegal activities going on in their properties, but I think that they could abuse their power,” Bast said. “I would hope that they wouldn’t, but I feel like they could definitely do it.”
Bast also believes in the importance of city involvement when it comes to inspecting rental units.
“When you move in, you have the right to know that the place you are moving into has been inspected and is safe,” Bast said.
Caroline Chalk
Reporter
cchal845@uwsp.edu
