CRG Guy
Member
Join Date: 9/18/2009
Posts: 5
Location: Bayside, WI
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Posted: 10/18/2009 9:00:07 PM
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Yup, Milwaukee is broke and they need new money to waste but they are too fearful of the backlash from property owners. So, the have hatched a scheme to go after renters called the Rental Property Inspection Program.
They are trying to sell it as a way to improve rental property but it is really just a "backdoor tax" on renters. Here is how it will work.
1. Rental companies will be assessed a mandatory $85 fee for EACH RENTAL UNIT regardless of size or type. CHA-CHING!
2. A new bureacracy will be established with the power to enter properties without a warrant or the owners permission. Why? To snoop for code violations (and whatever else the renters may be doing at the time!). What's the big deal? The City has a ratcheting fee schedule each time they do a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. inspection and the inspections are at the whim of the building inspector who can come back as often as he/she pleases. CHA-CHING!
3. The ordinance also creats new penalty fees. CHA-CHING!
4. But wait a minute, the renters don't pay it, the property owners do. YEAH, RIGHT! How do you think property owners set the rent? They add up their expenses and raise the rent to cover expenses and hopefully generate a profit. But, hey, won't market competition keep rates where they are now? Sure, if the fees weren't mandatory. But ALL property owners pay it so property owners can simply raise rents knowing that the competition is in the same boat.
BOTTOM-LINE? Renters pay AND have their privacy invaded.
ONE MORE QUESTION!
Due to the recession, building construction is down 30%. Shouldn't we therefore cut 30% of the Building Inspection Department? WHAT, and downsize big government? NO WAY! In fact, they are going to actually GROW the department and spend more . . .
ALL WHILE THEY SCHEME TO CUT FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION TO PAY FOR IT!
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THIS WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?!
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Steve K
Member
Join Date: 10/23/2009
Posts: 2
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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Posted: 10/23/2009 12:52:12 PM
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Not only a backdoor tax, but a backdoor territory expansion. The first or second proposed ordinance was drafted to apply to an area near UWM. Now there seems to be yet another revision to add census tracts 93-103 and 116-120. But there are no street boundaries listed. So it's partly defined by streets and partly by census tracts. How much more sleazy and misleading could they be?
Maybe that partly answers the question--they must be thinking it's Halloween and time for tricks and treats. Treats for the bureaucrats and politicians feeding at the public trough.
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Steve K
Member
Join Date: 10/23/2009
Posts: 2
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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Posted: 10/24/2009 3:51:30 PM
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In looking at the legislative detail of this proposed ordinance for a new rental inspection scheme, as available online at the City web site or this web site, it should be noted that the "requestor" for this legislation is the DNS. The Department of Neighborhood Services is obviously trying to expand it's bureaucratic domain. That means a bigger budget and a bigger payroll.
The elected "officials" signing on to this have become the LAPDOGS OF THE BUREAUCRATS!!!
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