Calling all landlords

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Jun 24, 2002 | by Springer, Dan

When the La Crosse Police Department hosted its first Landlord Training Workshop last year, organizers were overwhelmed with the turnout. This year, the program expanded beyond city limits to include landlords from all parts of the county, said officer Scott Harmel.

By working with the Onalaska Police Department and the La Crosse County Sheriff's Department, Harmel said, the training is open to all landlords.

"Last year, we had a lot of landlords from other parts of the county ask if they could come, but we had to limit it to just those within the city," he said. "This year, we'll be able to meet the needs of more landlords."

The nine-hour workshop will be from 6 to 9 p.m. July 22-24 at Viterbo University's Fine Arts Center, 929 Jackson St.

The workshop will train landlords to better screen their applicants, educate them on new-landlord/tenant laws and show them how to properly use a lease.

Harmel noted the goal of the program is to make sure the rights of landlords and tenants are being followed at all times.

"If I was a tenant, I would want my landlord to go through some of that stuff so he knows what his rights are as well as what my rights are," Harmel said. "We want to make sure everyone's rights are being followed. That's why I will have someone come in from the Department of Agriculture's Trade and Consumer Protection office to talk to landlords. If rights are violated, they can be contacted, and they do most of the enforcement of landlord/tenant issues."

The speakers also include experts on protection, using credit bureau data, law enforcement issues and the law, Harmel said.

However, Harmel added, the workshop offers a side benefit to law enforcement agencies and the public.

"The reason we decided to have this is because our officers are getting called to more landlord/ tenant problems. Most of those aren't police problems but are actually civil disputes," he said.

"There are times when someone breaks a lease or we have landlords who don't know how to evict tenants, and they need training so they don't violate the civil rights of their tenants," he said. "If we can stop these calls before they're made, then the landlord and tenant are reaching the right person right away, and we aren't spending time on calls that we can't do anything about anyway."

Those interested in attending this free workshop must register by July 12 by calling Officer Barry Holm with the Onalaska Police Department at (608) 781-9550.