For months, Milwaukee renter Jessie Brown says his kitchen sink turned into a sewage fountain, with foul water bubbling up so often he had to flush it into the toilet multiple times a day. The smell, he says, was so overpowering it left him dizzy. Brown, who lives near 30th and Wisconsin, told reporters that a crew finally came out this week and was able to stop the immediate backup, at least for now, but he says the whole mess started back in the fall.
According to WISN 12 News, city inspection records show an inspector ordered the landlord, Berrada Properties, to fix the problem by Sunday next week or face fines. Brown says he put in two maintenance requests before finally calling the Department of Neighborhood Services. The landlord’s attorney told the station that a crew ran a snake through the drain and cleared a grease clog, but that the line cannot be cleared with standard equipment, and that a company with more powerful drain-jetting gear was on the way. Brown also said he felt lightheaded and nearly passed out from the constant sewage odor.
Neighboring Building Evacuated Over Separate Issues
Brown’s complaint comes just a block from another Berrada-owned building that the city evacuated last week after inspectors found no heat, burst pipes and no running water. The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services led that evacuation and helped move dozens of residents into hotels, as reported by FOX 6 Now. Alderwoman Sharlen Moore was on scene and criticized landlords who fail to maintain their properties during dangerous cold weather.
Why Berrada’s Record Is Under the Microscope
Reporting has also noted that Berrada Properties was the subject of a state enforcement action that resulted in a roughly $1.7 million settlement and tenant-relief programs, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. The agreement includes restitution for tenants, an income-based rental pilot and eviction-diversion measures, and it has put a fresh spotlight on current complaints at the company’s buildings.
What Tenants Can Do Right Now
Anyone dealing with sewer backups or other hazardous housing conditions can contact the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services. The city’s guidance lists a business-hours line at 414-286-2268 and a nonbusiness-hours number at 414-286-2150, per the City of Milwaukee. Berrada tenants who want information about restitution, rent assistance or the settlement process can consult the state FAQ for details and contacts.
Legal Heat on the Landlord
Because a city inspector issued a formal repair order with a firm deadline, the Department of Neighborhood Services has an enforceable path to levy fines or take other compliance actions if the landlord does not complete repairs, as reported by WISN 12 News. Tenants may also be eligible for restitution or program support under the state settlement process.
