Madison tenants will be more informed about their rights come this fall, thanks to a document currently being reviewed by the city's Landlord and Tenant Issues subcommittee.
Ald. Todd Jarrell, District 8, who was instrumental in drafting the initial law and this document, said he expects the document to be finalized by summer and ready for distribution during the fall leasing period.
\A lot of tenants don't know their rights,"" Jarrell said. ""By the start of next rental season, every apartment in the city will get a copy.""
The document lists tenants' rights and responsibilities, dealing with issues such as security deposits, landlord entry, the eviction process and paying rent. It also includes contact information for police and fire departments, the Apartment Association, the Tenant Resource Center and other organizations.
Sponsors of the document said they hope to inform tenants about rights they do not realize they have. For example, few students know they can collect interest on security deposits given to landlords.
The drafted document was submitted for review at last month's Landlord and Tenant Issues subcommittee meeting. Members of the subcommittee expect to make a decision at next month's meeting. Once the subcommittee approves the document, it will move to the Housing Committee for approval. Then the City Council will make the final approval. Drafting of the document has been in the works since the City Council passed a law requiring landlords to distribute information on tenants' rights about a year ago.
