Resources
Flyers
Find My Landlord
FindMyLandlord uses publicly available data to help tenants connect with other tenants who share the same landlord but live in different buildings within the City of Madison.
By working together, tenants can better address unfair lease agreements, excessive rent increases, unrepaired plumbing or appliances, and any other abuse or neglect perpetrated by a landlord.
Knowing where to find each other is the first step.
Zines and Brochures
Researching or Reporting Your Landlord
Researching Your Landlord:
Ask current tenants!
Tenant Resource Center - learn your rights as a tenant
FindMyLandlord - learn who your landlord is, how many properties they own, and where their properties are located
Taxes of Madison - learn how much your landlord's property taxes and property values have changed over the years (fight back against unfair rent increases)
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) - (800) 422-7128 - see if there are any complaints filed against the landlord
Building Inspector's Office - go to the office in person to review the Building Inspector's records; you do NOT need an appointment to review these records
Reporting Your Landlord:
Tell other tenants!
Use rental review websites
Google Reviews, RateMyLandlord, WYL.co, ApartmentRatings.com, OpenIgloo.com, RatetheLandlord, RentZed
Report a building issue to the Building Inspector
Phone: (608) 266-4551 ext. 4.
File a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Online: MyDATCP
Phone: call the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.
File a Fair Housing complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Phone: (800) 669-9777
Mailing a complaint
File a complaint with the Department of Civil Rights at (608) 266-4910 or by emailing dcr@cityofmadison.com. You can also file a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Division if you believe your rights were violated because of your membership in a protected class.
Organizing Your Building
3 first steps:
Investigate the property and landlord
Talk to other people
Contact the property to negotiate
Resources:
"Organize and Rise: The Tenants' Handbook" by the Madrid Tenant Union (2024)
"Tenant Problem-Solving" by Madison Tenant Power (2023)
"Keep Your Landlord in Check" by the Vancouver Tenant Union (2021)
"Tenant Organizing Manual" by the DSA-NYC Housing Working Group (2018)
Further Reading:
Strategy, Tactics, Direct Action
Resources:
"Tactics, vol. 1" by Autonomous Tenant Union (Chicago, IL)
"Talking to the Media" by CrimeThinc
"Solidarity is Our Weapon (with Escalation Guide)" by Tenants and Neighborhood Council (Bay Area, CA)
"How to Stage a Rally" by Crown Heights Tenant Union (Brooklyn, NY)
"Preparing Media Strategy for an Action" by Los Angeles Tenant Union
"Press Release Template" by Los Angeles Tenant Union
"Direct Action Media Checklist" by Autonomous Tenants Union (Chicago, IL)
Further Reading:
Sample Demand Letters
Letters are often first point of contact to open negotiations with your landlord.
3 First Steps:
Review letter templates
Complete the template with the details of your case
Need help? Contact us or bring your completed draft to a meeting
Sample Demand Letters
Breaking Your Lease (coming soon!)