FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2007
Renters at Risk!!!
Grothman Calls on Governor to Intervene and Stand Up to Special Interests
MadisonToday Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) called on Governor Doyle to intervene with the Department of Commerce and prevent special interests from negotiating a deal which will drive up rent for Wisconsin residents. The Department of Commerce, in a proposed rule (Clearinghouse Rule 06-120) is requiring all new rental properties of 3 to 20 units to be built with sprinkler systems (multi-family dwellings with 20 or more units are already required to have sprinkler systems).
Sprinkler systems cost about $7,000 per unit; this will add around $50 per month (7.5% interest on a 28 year note) in increased mortgage costs for landlords, in addition to about $10 per month in property taxes, and slightly more than $10 a month in maintenance costs. That results in an increased monthly rent of around $70 per unit.
“Virtually all fires take place in older units. If Wisconsin residents want to spend an additional $70 per month for a new unit with sprinklers in it, that is their right but for bureaucrats to force renters to pay this much additional rent is unconscionable,” said Senator Grothman.
“The well-heeled sprinkler companies, lobbyists, and Madison bureaucrats have weighed in on this matter, but the little guy (the renters) are not represented in the room. Governor Doyle needs to consider the little guy in the equation. I call on Governor Doyle to reign in his Department of Commerce and protect the future renters of this state,” states Senator Grothman. “Please don’t let us down, Governor Doyle.”
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