Inherited tenant filed a complaint... - WI

[Tanzania Sewell]

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I am looking for some insight on a situation that has arisen.

Background: I purchased a duplex in Milwaukee and inherited a tenant in one unit that is on a month-to-month lease. During the final walkthrough before close, we discovered that there was a good amount of damage to the unit including two kicked in doors and multiple holes in the ceiling throughout the unit. We also discovered that the amount of items moved into common areas on the property (garage, backyard, basement and entry ways) had grown to the point where access to the electrical panel was obstructed, flammable items (i.e. open coil heater and mattress) were in the vicinity of the furnace and water heater and a garage that was barely standing was packed. Our close date was push back one-week and the tenants (through the previous landlord) were given notice that ALL items needed to be removed from common areas.

Fast-forward to close, we drop a letter off to the tenants introducing ourselves as the new landlords and post several signs throughout the duplex that explicitly stating "final notice of common area clean-out scheduled" (date included and areas called out) and that any items remaining in those areas would be removed. The tenant also received this information via email and text. It took us an additional 7 days (beyond the date we communicated) to actually remove all of the items from the common area.  Shortly after the removal, the tenant was served a 28-day notice to vacate.

Today, we received an email from a Consumer Protection Investigator stating the tenant filed a complaint. The complaint was more of a list of grievances, but in essence the tenant stated that we should have not removed the items in the common areas. I have planned to chat with an attorney, but do want feedback. I do own other rental property but this is my first experience inheriting tenants. 

[Malcomb Stapel]

@Tanzania Sewell  something else you can add to your arsenal, call your friendly neighborhood fire department. If your calling an actual station, ask for the station officer so you don't confuse the new guy. Briefly explain the situation and ask if it's a violation of fire code to store things in a common area (specifically the egress) or in front of the electrical panel, furnace, or water heater. The answer is yes, but they will confirm it and may even be able to reference the page from the Uniform Building Code, to which your city is compliant.