City of Milwaukee takes out-of-state landlord to courta
The city of Milwaukee files two lawsuits against Highgrove Holdings Management, alleging widespread property neglect, vacant properties, code violations and unpaid taxes
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James Stratton, WISN
MILWAUKEE —
The city of Milwaukee files two lawsuits against an out-of-state landlord alleging widespread property neglect, vacant properties, code violations and unpaid property taxes.
City Attorney Evan Goyke made the announcement standing in front of a vacant home near North Rogers and East Concordia on Thursday. Goyke teamed up with advocacy groups Common Ground and Tenants United.
In two separate lawsuits, the city is asking a judge to declare Highgrove Holdings Management LLC a nuisance business and 138 properties a nuisance. The city wants a judge to force Highgrove to fix up the properties, or have a receiver step in to require them to.
“A receiver can be appointed to essentially step in the shoes of the property owner and abate the nuisance,” Goyke said. “So, as tenants pay rent, the rent is used to fix the conditions and abate the nuisances. It’s a very powerful tool.”
Goyke said the city has also joined another lawsuit filed by US Bank against Highgrove, which is seeking a receiver to step in on 80 more properties.
Court filings show the city believes one in four of Highgrove’s properties are vacant, and the company owes more than $300,000 in city taxes.
In an email to WISN 12 News Thursday morning, Highgrove’s owner, David Tomblin, told 12 News he had not received the lawsuit and declined to comment.
Tenants United and Common Ground canvassed Highgrove properties, speaking to tenants who’ve had issues.
“He’s said we’re not his number one priority,” said Ebony Martin, who lives in a Highgrove duplex home. “He said he would get to us when he got time.”
Martin said the ceiling of her home near 21st and Chambers streets fell on her during historic flooding in August in Milwaukee.
DeShawn Harris said she rented from Highgrove for six years and has had to do laundry in her bathtub because there are no hookups in the basement for a washer and dryer. Plus, she says she has to fill the tub up from her sink because the knobs don’t work properly.
“It’s been a battle with him, though,” Harris said. “That man been too much.”