Some alders on the city council are looking to establish a citywide landlord registration program, so tenants know whom they are renting from and how to contact their landlords.
Ald. Jean MacCubbin, District 11, is sponsoring a resolution to create the program.
\A citywide landlord registration program would involve the means to get a comprehensive database of landlords and rental properties in the city, which we don't have right now,"" MacCubbin said.
""There is a statewide organization for landlords, but not everyone belongs to it, so we'd like to know who they all are, and how we can contact them,"" she added.
MacCubbin said there are many reasons this program is needed. Fifty percent of housing in the city of Madison is rental. It is important to look at affordable housing initiatives, but first the numbers of units and their size needs to be known.
A citywide landlord registration program is not only important to the landlords, but also the tenants, according to Ald. Austin King, District 8.
""Housing is a huge issue in Madison and in everyone's daily life. We don't even know who's renting property and we should,"" King said.
MacCubbin stated that right now many renters do not know who owns their building. The database that this program hopes to produce will actually have the names of the individuals for tenants to contact. Platteville, Minneapolis and St. Paul all have citywide landlord registration programs, and they have had very positive outcomes, MacCubbin said.
According to MacCubbin, a citywide landlord registration program will have a large effect on the numerous landlords in Madison. Erik Minton, a landlord of 19 years, said it is not the best thing for consumers.
""The only thing that it will affect is the price the tenants are paying,"" Minton said. ""This program will most likely just add another charge to the tenants.""
Minton said most tenants can get in contact with their landlord when necessary, and he does not see how it will help the tenants in the long run.
