- info@ectlrc.org
VolumeOne: After years of offering locals rental rights information – often hearing from folks after tough situations rather than before – the Affordable Housing Task Force, an arm of area nonprofit organization JONAH (Joining Our Neighbors Advancing Hope), knew the community needed a centralized resource.
In 2023, the task force did just that; creating the Eau Claire Tenant-Landlord Resource Center (ECTLRC) – a first-of-its-kind hub in the Chippewa Valley.
The ECTLRC, located within Grace Lutheran Church (202 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire), made its mission multifaceted on day one.
“Our mission at the ECTLRC is to advance housing justice,” Susan Wolfgram and Amanda Babb, co-director and program coordinator of ECTLRC, respectively, said. “Working primarily for the benefit of those with high rental barriers, low income, justice-impacted and marginalized communities.”
Many of our neighbors struggle, especially as wages fail to keep pace with the rising cost of household essentials... the rent eats first. –Susan Wolfgram and Amanda Babb, Eau Claire Tenant Landlord Resource Center
Through continued advocacy and education alongside consultation and mediation services, ECTLRC aims to promote positive relations between tenants and housing providers. The local resource center’s website, www.ectlrc.org, exemplifies that through collated information divided into “Tenant Resources” and “Landlord Resources” webpages.
Those resource pages run the gamut; the tenant page offers a handful of categories: Looking For Rental Housing (with information on applications and fees, renting with disabilities, choosing a landlord, etc.); While You’re Renting a Unit (roommates 101, subletting, etc.); When You Move Out of a Unit (giving notice, getting your security deposit back, etc.); If You Have a Problem (types of evictions and discrimination/fair housing laws).
The landlord page, too, offers resources spanning best practices, broken leases, Section 8 information, emotional support/service animals and more.
According to the most recent United Way ALICE Report (ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Restrained, Employed Households), ECTLRC shared about 34% of Eau Claire County households are rent-burdened. Per the report, that means those households are paying more than 30% (and up to 50%) of their income on rent.
Tenants and landlords are partners, interdependent – each needs the other. It is in both of your interests to invest in 'rental literacy.' –Susan Wolfgram and Amanda Babb, Eau Claire Tenant Landlord Resource Center
Housing and, specifically, affordable housing continues to be top of mind for many. The ECTLRC emphasizes the need to increase your “rental literacy score” as a renter. Simply put, the more you know, the more empowered you can be as a tenant – and landlord.
“Many of our neighbors struggle, especially as wages fail to keep pace with the rising cost of household essentials: child care, food, transportation, health care. But the rent eats first,” Wolfgram and Babb shared.
“Tenants and landlords are partners, interdependent – each needs the other. It is in both of your interests to invest in ‘rental literacy,’ ” they continued.
To that end, the ECTLRC provided its top five rental literacy tips – relevant to both tenants and landlords:
TOP 5 RENTAL LITERACY TIPS FROM ECTLRC
1. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING; NO VERBAL AGREEMENTS.
Although verbal agreements are legal in Wisconsin, we highly advise against it. Keep a written record of all correspondence with your landlord or the person you are having difficulty with--emails and texts. Avoid phone conversations when possible. If you are not able to avoid, keep a detailed log of day/time/person you spoke with/as much detail of the conversation as possible
2. UNDERSTAND YOUR LEASE.
Before you sign, make sure you have gone line by line and ask any clarification questions; keep a copy. Do not assume you know what is in the lease. Violating the conditions of your lease can trigger a process that could lead to an eviction.
3. FACE PROBLEMS HEAD ON AND EARLY—THEY WILL NOT RESOLVE THEMSELVES.
If after corresponding in writing regarding the problem and receiving no satisfaction, we would recommend contacting us.
4. AT MOVE-IN AND MOVE-OUT, COMPLETE A CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT FORM.
Take photos/videos to document everything in the unit: walls, ceilings, floors, doors, lights, appliances, windows, everything. Keep a copy of the form, turn one copy in to the landlord within 7 days, even if they don’t ask for it!
Request a pre-move inspection with the landlord for guidance on what to do to make sure you get as much of your security deposit back as possible.
5. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
There's a lot to know, and it can be overwhelming. Visit the State Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's website – specifically, the tenants' rights and responsibilities page – to learn more.
