Council Protects Tenants Seeking Lead Hazard Remedies
Ordinance prohibits evictions of tenants seeking advice or service for lead hazards.
An ordinance introduced by Alderman Jose G. Perez aims to protect tenants from evictions and retaliation by landlords for seeking to have lead hazards addressed.
The legislation, which was passed unanimously Tuesday by the Milwaukee Common Council, explicitly prevents landlords from evicting, terminating a lease, or denying automatic renewal of a tenant who seeks advice or service regarding known or suspected lead hazards in a rented home. The protections also extend to individuals who cooperate with the city on investigating and abating lead hazards including lead paint and water.
Perez said the need for the legislation came to light after working with the Milwaukee Health Department on lead abatement. Under new commissioner Jeanette Kowalik, the department has worked to get its Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, including home abatements, functioning again and compliant with federal and state guidelines and funding requirements. A myriad list of serious failures at the department became public when Mayor Tom Barrett announced the resignation of his longtime appointee Bevan K. Baker in January 2018.
The Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin had objected to an earlier version of the legislation, but supported an amendment introduced on the council floor by Perez. The amendment added the language “who is in compliance with the terms and conditions of a lease or tenancy.” Calling the change “fair and sensible,” Association attorney Heiner Giese said: “[This] clarifies that tenants cannot use a lead hazard or lead nuisance complaint as a defense to an eviction or the landlord’s modification of their rental agreement if they are delinquent in rent or otherwise in breach of the rental agreement.”
At a hearing on the legislation at the Public Safety & Health Committee in late June, Giese said the intent of his proposed amendment was “to make sure the tenant was acting in good faith.”
“This has been a huge issue that has been plaguing the community,” said Alderwoman Chantia Lewis at the June hearing. “One thing we need to bring to the table is that we have many landlords, that you know maybe are not really taking care of their properties.”
“We have the term slumlord for a reason,” added Lewis. She stressed that the issue with lead abatement wasn’t just with lead service lines, but with the whole home.
The ordinance was originally sponsored by Perez and Lewis, but the entire council was added as co-sponsors before the measure was unanimously approved. The proposal is awaiting the mayor’s signature before becoming law.
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Related Legislation: File 181759
More about the Lead Crisis
- Gov. Evers, DHS Continue Administration’s Efforts to Combat Lead Poisoning Statewide with Permanent Rule - Gov. Tony Evers - May 27th, 2025
- RFK Jr. Claims ‘Team’ Is In Milwaukee Helping With Lead Crisis, Health Department Can’t Find Them - Nick Rommel - May 22nd, 2025
- MPS Announces Starms Early Childhood Center Is Cleared of Lead Dangers - Milwaukee Public Schools - May 21st, 2025
- Milwaukee Has Removed 10,000 Lead Laterals - Graham Kilmer - May 13th, 2025
- New MPS Superintendent Cutting Central Office Jobs - Corrinne Hess - May 8th, 2025
- MTEA Statement on Lead Exposure in MPS Buildings - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Apr 30th, 2025
- Statement from Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez on Lead Hazards in MPS Buildings - Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez - Apr 29th, 2025
- MPS Closing Two More Schools For Lead Hazards - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 28th, 2025
- Milwaukee Public Schools Enters New Phase of Lead Cleanup - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 28th, 2025
- What To Know and How To Keep Kids Safe From Lead Poisoning - Evan Casey - Apr 25th, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
Political Contributions Tracker
Displaying political contributions between people mentioned in this story. Learn more.
- March 30, 2016 - Tom Barrett received $100 from Bevan K. Baker
- August 29, 2015 - Tom Barrett received $25 from Bevan K. Baker
- November 12, 2014 - José G. Pérez received $100 from Heiner Giese