Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout17. 20-205 MAY 12, 2020 20-205 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 6-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: SUPPORT EMERGENCY RULE PREVENTING LANDLORDS FROM CHARGING LATE FEES OR PENALTIES FOR MISSED OR LATE RENT PAYMENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND FOR 90 DAYS AFTERWARD INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, a novel strain of the coronavirus, named COVID-19 spread throughout numerous countries including the United States during the late winter and spring of 2020 resulting in Federal, State and Local Declarations of Emergency; and WHEREAS, due to the rapidly changing economic landscape, many people have also had to navigate job losses,furloughs, and layoffs. As a result, their incomes are lower or gone altogether, making it extremely difficult to pay their rent in a timely manner during this public health emergency; and WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has approved an emergency rule to prohibit landlords from charging late fees or penalties for missed or late rent payments during the COVID-19 public health emergency and for 90 days afterward and will hold a public hearing and accept comments on this emergency rule through Thursday, May 21, 2020. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council for the City of Oshkosh that the Common Council on behalf of the citizens of Oshkosh urges the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to adopt an emergency rule to prohibit landlords from charging late fees or penalties for missed or late rent payments during the COVID-19 public health emergency and for 90 days afterward. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as a comment to the proposed emergency rule and to appropriate state officials and legislators for the City of Oshkosh. DATCP Adopts Emergency Rule Prohibiting Late Fees on Rentals Release Date: April 29, 2020 Media Contact: Ti Gauger, Public Information Officer, (608)224-5007, Ti.Gau2er(a�,Wisconsin.2ov con MADISON—The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has approved an emergency rule to prohibit late fees or penalties for missed or late rent payments during COVID-19. Due to the rapidly changing economic landscape, many 44! people have also had to navigate job losses, furloughs, and layoffs. As a result, their incomes are lower or gone altogether,making it extremely difficult to pay their rent in a timely manner during this public health emergency. The emergency rule (Wis. Admin. Code Ch. ATCP 134)prevents landlords from charging late fees or penalties for missed or late rent payments during the public health emergency and for 90 days afterward. DATCP will hold a public hearing and comment period on this emergency rule via teleconference. Hearing Date and Location: Thursday, May 21, 2020, 1:00 PM Teleconference Line: 1-888-327-8914 or 1-847-944-7654, Passcode: 7794 7379 View rule: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/emergency_rules/all/emr2002 The public is invited to participate in the hearing on the emergency rule or to comment no later than the close of business on Thursday, May 21. Written public comments may be sent to the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911 or by e-mail to DavidA.Woldseth@wisconsin.gov. Consumers with questions or issues related to landlord-tenant agreements can contact DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128 or con DATCPHotline(2wisconsin.gov, or file a complaint online at www.datcp.wi.gov If you have health-related questions about COVID-19,please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services' (DHS)website: hqp://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/covid-19.htm Find more DATCP news in our newsroom, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. rT1 �aM�a raor��ryoy 2 0 r s w 1001��0