How can the city make me move out of my home for code violations?
Full Question:
Answer:
It would be important to understand under what authority the city claims to be acting when it attempts to remove you from your home.
Most communities have local housing codes. It may be possible that they are acting to enforce the local housing code.
At time, habitability is an issue. "Habitability" is typically defined in local housing codes. It is usually defined as the minimum standard for decent, safe, sanitary housing suitable for residential purposes.
The codes are local ordinances or laws that require owners of real property, including landlords, to maintain the property and make any necessary repairs. These codes typically require that any residential rental property offered by a landlord must meet the minimum standards established in the code. The landlord's responsibility is not only to deliver the rental property to the tenant in compliance with the housing codes but also to maintain compliance with the housing codes throughout the term that the tenant has use and possession of the rental property.
Here is a link to the Municipal Code for Stoughton, Wisconsin where you can read about their authority: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientID=13831&stateID=49&statename=Wisconsin