A city ordinance that would allow tenants of irresponsible landlords to deduct repair costs from their rent is generating mixed feelings in Madison.
Ald. Austin King, District 8, said the ordinance would give more control to city tenants.
""It's an ordinance that will empower the tenants to make repairs,"" King said, who is a co-sponsor with Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. ""It's another tool that tenants can use.""
King countered landlord concerns about loopholes in the ordinance, arguing that there are enough safeguards in place to protect the interests of landlords. For example, tenants planning on making repairs would have to write a letter to their landlord before beginning work.
""The landlord has every chance to make the repairs themselves, and if the tenants don't pay the rent that is required then the landlords still have every right to evict them,"" King said.
Rose LeTourneau, a landlord and a member of the Madison Housing Committee, said she does not support the ordinance as it currently reads. Still, LeTourneau insisted she supports the idea of allowing tenants to make their own repairs.
""I'm arguing for a little more oversight,"" LeTourneau said, adding that the ordinance would remove prominent parts of the current rent abatement process.
Victor Villacrez, another housing committee member, said he is opposed to the ordinance for different reasons. Villacrez has been a landlord for nearly 20 years and said the current process already works well for the city.
""I disagree with allowing tenants to take matters into their own hands,"" Villacrez said. ""They aren't the right people to handle repairs in a situation with little oversight.""
According to Villacrez, there is no evidence indicating a large systematic problem with the current rent abatement policy.
Despite her objections, LeTourneau said the ordinance would only affect a few people since most landlords quickly fix damage in their buildings. She estimated 90 percent of landlords would handle repairs before tenants take action.
Downtown resident and committee representative Phil Ejercito said the ordinance is an essential aspect of tenant-landlord relationships.
""It's a common sense kind of thing, and I think we drafted a pretty good ordinance,"" Ejercito said, adding that the proposed law has widespread support among renters.
The ordinance is on tonight's city council agenda, and Ejercito said he is optimistic it will pass.
""I have faith that the council will recognize the common sense involved here,"" Ejercito said.
