Wisconsin Landlord / Insect Issues?

Question

I live in an apartment in Wisconsin. Have a one year lease am only 6 months through it. We have recently gotten fleas from someone elses apartment. Trying to reach the landlord we just found out that two doors down our neighbor has roaches.

In the case the fleas don't get resolved or we end up with roaches. Can we sue for the money to move or to replace our roach and flea invested stuff.

I feel in a really bad place and don't know how to go about any of it.

Answer 1

Send a certified letter to the landlord and keep a copy of it for your self.  Give the landlord a week to respond (inform  them of that in the letter) In one week send another letter informing the land lord what you are going to do to protect your family.  ie. spray for fleas, spray for roaches and the cost.  You may (check first) withhold the cost of the spraying from your rent.

It will take a long time if the landlord doesn't respond.  Each time you are forced to take action send a certified letter explaining the problem and then one explaining what your are doing to solve the problem.  IF you get no response each time and have to pony up the dough and are allowed to withhold it from rent is a precedent.

It may be more effective to get your neighbors together.  Also the landlord will be around in a couple of months to pressure you to re-sign your contract.  If you like how you've been living at least try pressuring him into solving your building problems.  If you want to move on make sure that you are ready (with money in the bank) to get out.  They have some nasty tactics to try to corner you into signing again.  That includes sudden eviction.