Senate passes bill to expand landlord rights

MADISON — The Wisconsin Senate has passed a bill that would dramatically expand the rights of rental property owners in Wisconsin and give landlords more power to evict tenants for criminal activity.


The Republican bill would allow landlords to evict a tenant if that person, a roommate or a guest engages in criminal activity, regardless of whether anyone was arrested or convicted.

The measure would also allow landlords to dispose of or sell abandoned property and evict tenants who cause damage without repairing or paying for it.

The bill cleared the Assembly last week and passed the Senate 19-13 Tuesday, February 16th. It now goes to Gov. Scott Walker for his signature.