Contact: Rep. Goyke, 608.266.0645
Recognition follows on Sheriff Sale Fairness Legislation signed into law that provides Wisconsin counties important tools to target bad actors and increase auction sale competition
MADISON – Yesterday Antonio Pérez, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, thanked Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) for his authorship of legislation that makes common sense changes to Wisconsin’s sheriff sale process. Rep. Goyke was recognized for introduction and passage of 2017 Act 208 and 2017 Act 339.
The legislation follows on reporting by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel titled Landlord Games, which uncovered a small number of delinquent landlords who acquire new rental properties at sheriff auctions and turn a profit by manipulating loopholes in the system, while the properties linger perpetually in poor condition holding down property values and adding to neighborhood instability.
· 2017 Act 208 enables counties to host (or contract with a licensed Wisconsin auctioneer) sales of foreclosed properties via an Internet-based auction making the process more accessible and transparent for bidders and investors in the neighborhoods that need them most.
· 2017 Act 339 prohibits a buyer from acquiring a new property at a sheriff sale if the buyer is already more than 120 days delinquent on property taxes or building code judgments.
Following the recognition, Rep. Goyke offered brief remarks.
“I thank the Milwaukee Housing Authority for this great honor,” said Rep. Goyke.
“I was proud to author these important pieces of legislation. During a visit to the courthouse I stood in the same room with people who already own hundreds of rental properties, on which they owe tens of thousands of dollars in taxes and fines, and watched as the government awarded them winning bids for new properties. That ends now.”
“These new laws will help stabilize neighborhoods, reduce crime, and increase property values in neighborhoods throughout the City and state that need it the most.”
