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Questions Answered by Jason Anthony Greller
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: We put an offer on a home and heard back that they had accepted another offer. Our realtor could not get many details

and the sellers realtor would not respond nor give us a chance to counter offer. This was after the houses listing price was dropped by $25,000. We came to find out that the realtor bought the house for $2,000 more than our offer. Is this legal?

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Jul 5, 2020

If it was your realtor who bought the house that would be a violation of their agency duty to you.

If it was the listing agent who bought the property, then that agent may have violated their duty to the seller by not exploring whether you would have been willing to pay more for the property.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: Rent was 600 1st year 675 2nd year 700 3rd year per month and now they want 750 a month. Can they do that ?

Trying to figure out why rent just keeps going up and when will it stop

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Jun 24, 2020

Generally a landlord has the right to raise the rent at the end of a lease term. There are some exceptions when the property is enrolled in a government subsidy program.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Rent Back after home closing

I'm thinking of putting an offer on a home, but the seller has notified my agent that they will need to rent back the property after closing for 30 days. Is there a standard rent-back form for this situation in Wisconsin or does it require the signing of a short term lease?

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Jun 21, 2020

The Wisconsin Realtors Association has a standard form - Addendum O (Occupancy Agreement) . There are a number of variables on that form that affect your rights and risks. You should ask your agent to discuss that form with you. Please note that the form does not address insurance issues -... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Tenants in common transfer without a will

The deed to our family cabin In Wisconsin lists my mom and her deceased brother as tenants in common. He passed away 9 years ago without a will. How do we get his name off the deed?

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Jun 15, 2020

You will need to file a Termination of Decedent's Interest with the Register of Deeds for the county in which the property is located.

You may access the form and instructions at the WI Register of Deeds Association website on their forms page which is located at...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: can sellers of home sign deal for land with D.O.T after accepted offer?

We were aware of the road expansion. Nothing was stated in the condition report. Prior to accepting the counter offer, we were aware no checks have been issued. We were the primary offer for the home and the 1 acre property. 4/22 we went into contract. 5/8 the signed with the Department of... View More

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Jun 2, 2020

If a Seller has a primary accepted Offer then, generally, they cannot accept another Primary Offer. Generally they could accept a Secondary Offer that is "secondary" to the accepted Primary Offer. There are provisions within the standard offer to purchase forms for Wisconsin that allow... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: My landlord was living in the home previously and left behind items 6 months later is refusing to move them out

She told us when she moved in she would move them and 6 months later it is still here. We rent the home and two car garage and she occupies space with her personal items. Can we move it out or charge her to move it? Or charge her for the space we can’t use.? Also she has not changed her mailing... View More

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on May 29, 2020

Under Wisconsin law, unless the lease has an exception, a tenant has the right to exclusive possession of the premises. So unless your lease allows the storage of personal property by the landlord, then have the right to exclusive possession and you may take your landlord to court to enforce your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: my neighbor has put up a mailbox on my property,can i remove it.

the mail box has been in place for over a year, no livable accommodations on property,he does not live there, it is in the ROW of road, I am wrong by describing him as a neighbor, he is an estranged brother. His daughter who lives in another state owns adjacent property he does not live nearby and... View More

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on May 20, 2020

Generally the law does not afford an aggrieved party the right to self help. In other words, you may not remove the mailbox. You may go to court and ask for an order requiring the neighbor to remove the box.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: My landlord passed away, how long do I have to stay here?

He did not leave a will, and only has one sister alive. Can she tell me I have to vacate the property now? Also, is she allowed to come into the house anytime she wants and take things out? As my landlord was also living in the home, how do I prevent her from taking my things?

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on May 6, 2020

The property is now in the estate of your deceased landlord. Any heir receiving the property will take the property subject to any existing leases. If you are on a month to month lease then your lease may be terminated in accordance with law and proper notice. If your lease is for a longer term,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: My landlord has entered my unit multiple times without notice - what can I legally do?

I was unable to get a response from my property manager, so I filed a case with the state. They're willing to pay for damages, but only what they believe things to be worth.

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Apr 23, 2020

Generally, a landlord can enter at reasonable times to inspect the premises, make repairs, or show the premises to prospective tenants. The landlord usually must give 12 hours notice before entry, unless immediate entry is necessary to preserve or protect the premises, such as in case of a fire or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: May I pay my last rent with the security deposit? If not, what can happen if I do?
Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Apr 17, 2020

Generally, the security deposit may not be used to pay the last month of rent. Doing so may trigger a late payment charge. Given the current pandemic, you might consider contacting the landlord and discussing this option. They may be more lenient and understanding at this time.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Commercial Real Estate LLC

I’m wondering if there is anything I can do? I had 36% ownership in a building. The other partners borrowed $1.5M against a paid building without notifying me. I never signed anything on the loan & found out 5 months later from St. MN. The bank loaned the money without an appraisal –... View More

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Apr 14, 2020

I'd recommend that you post this question to the Business Lawyer section as this matter appears to concern your rights and obligations as a member of the LLC as opposed to real property rights. The attorneys in that section may be better suited to assist you.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: My tenant stopped paying rent. He has been there for almost 10 years. During the virus, what can I legally do?

He responded that he has been laid off since November, I asked if he will be paying. He is no longer responding.

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Apr 10, 2020

Governor Evers’ Emergency Order 15 created a temporary ban on evictions.

Evers’ Order went into effect on March 27, 2020 and continues for 60 days.

1) Landlords are prohibited from serving any notice terminating tenancy for failure to pay rent.

2) Landlords are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: My landlord added an addendum to my current lease that says all previous six years addendums are still active. Is that

legal?

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Apr 7, 2020

Generally, any Addendum to a lease is enforceable if the Addendum is properly made part of the lease, properly executed by the Parties and does not contain a provision prohibited by existing law.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: How long after moving out can you get charged for cleaning?

I moved out end of June 2019. I got my security deposited back within the 21 days as expected. I just got an invoice dated April 2nd 2020 for cleaning that supposedly happened on June 30th 2019. It doesnt included a receipt or anything proving they brought in the cleaner either. Can they still... View More

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Apr 3, 2020

Arguably a landlord may return the security deposit in full and then seek contract damages. This makes some sense for the landlord because if the tenant challenges a security deposit violation then the landlord can be on the hook for double damages and tenant's attorney fees. In this case, if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Small Claims for Wisconsin on
Q: Rental next door-Constant noise. can I sue the landlord
Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Apr 1, 2020

Generally a landlord is not liable for noise caused by a tenant unless the complaining party is another tenant in the same complex who is being denied quiet enjoyment of their unit. Otherwise, noise complaints are properly directed to local law enforcement.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Wisconsin on
Q: Can I sue an honor for not stopping noise from his tenant?
Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Apr 1, 2020

Generally a landlord is not liable for noise caused by a tenant unless the complaining party is another tenant in the same complex who is being denied quite enjoyment of their unit. Otherwise, noise complaints are properly directed to local law enforcement.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: Can a landlord in wisconsin deny a tenant to break a lease?

I am looking to break my lease in Wisconsin but my landlord is saying that my only option is to sublease and that I cannot break my lease

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Mar 31, 2020

A tenant may choose to break the lease. The landlord is then under a duty to mitigate damages - essentially to try to re-rent the unit. The tenant may then be held liable for the months in which no rent was collected from the tenant or the new tenant, the difference between the new tenant's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: I signed an apartment lease in WI, 4 days later I called the leasing office to cancel it. Do I have to pay the rent?

I never moved in, I called to cancel it before my moving date. But they said I'm liable to pay the rent until someone re-rents. But they rented two same units, same price, and same style, not mine. What happens if I stop making payments?

Thanks in advance

Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Mar 30, 2020

Assuming that the lease is enforceable, which may only be determined after review by a qualified attorney, you may be liable for the full contract amount. The landlord is under a duty to mitigate damages and to work to re-rent the unit. That duty does not necessarily mean that the landlord has to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: In WI my husband and I were planning to purchase a condo. With COVID 19 we want to back out. Can we get earnest money
Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Mar 29, 2020

Your rights and obligations under the contract can only be determined after reviewing the entire offer. Generally, a buyer may only use a valid contingency to terminate an offer. Simply deciding that the market conditions are no longer ideal to move forward is not typically a valid reason to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin on
Q: can landlord still make you leave once lease is up with viris going around
Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
answered on Mar 17, 2020

Once your lease is up you are supposed to leave but if you do not, then you become a holdover tenant. Normally a landlord could seek to evict you but this is a very unusual moment in time. At present, it would be difficult or impossible for a landlord to evict a tenant. For instance, in Dane... View More

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