I got a letter from the City

Your property’s assessed value for this year, mailed in spring. Your tax bill in December is based on it.

Look for this date: The written objection deadline: 4:45 p.m. on the third Monday in May. Once the tax bill arrives, it’s too late to object.

Do this first: Compare the value with similar homes. If it looks wrong, talk to an appraiser during Open Book, usually late April through mid-May, at 414-286-6565.

How an assessment appeal worksSource: City Assessor appeals questions

The decision on a written objection you filed.

Look for this date: 15 days from the date on the notice. That’s how long you have to ask, in writing, for a Board of Review hearing.

Do this first: If you disagree, write to the Commissioner of Assessments before the 15 days are up. Otherwise, you’re treated as accepting the decision.

The Board of Review stepsSource: Wis. Stat. § 70.07(6), appealing a Board of Assessors decision

Your property tax bill, mailed in December.

Look for this date: January 31: pay in full or pay the first installment. Missing it makes the whole tax delinquent.

Do this first: If you own and live in the home, check the bill for the lottery and gaming credit. If it’s missing, ask the Treasurer by January 31 at 414-286-2240.

Installments and creditsSource: City Treasurer lottery and gaming credit questions

Your property taxes are delinquent. The Treasurer sends a series of these before the account goes to the City’s collection law firm.

Look for this date: There’s no single date, but interest (1% a month) and penalty (0.5% a month) keep adding up, and the Treasurer can’t waive them.

Do this first: Call the Treasurer early at 414-286-2240 to ask about paying.

What happens when taxes are behindSource: City Treasurer delinquent tax collection overview

The City plans to include the property in a tax foreclosure case. This letter is mailed about 3 months before the City files.

Look for this date: The filing is about 3 months away. The letter shows the payment needed to stop it.

Do this first: Call the Treasurer right away at 414-286-2240.

The foreclosure timelineSource: City Treasurer delinquent tax collection overview

A City of Milwaukee parking citation.

Look for this date: Late increases start after day 14 for most tickets. Disputes must be filed within 65 calendar days of the ticket. After that, a default judgment is possible.

Do this first: Enter the ticket in the ticket clock to see what it costs today, or call the Violations Bureau at 414-344-0840.

Open the ticket clockSource: City parking citations

Your car was towed to the City tow lot at 3811 W Lincoln Ave.

Look for this date: Get the car within 15 days of the tow. Storage costs $25 a day on top of the $150 tow fee.

Do this first: Call the tow lot at 414-286-2700 to confirm what to bring.

Getting a towed car backSource: City tow lot

A legal order telling a property owner what to repair, with a time limit. Most give 30 to 90 days, but a serious problem can get as little as one hour.

Look for this date: The compliance date on the order, and the appeal deadline in the appeal section at the end. The appeal window is limited, and missing it ends your appeal rights.

Do this first: Call the inspector right away. Their number is at the end of every order. Explain your repair plan, and ask for more time if you need it. If you rent and the order is overdue, you can ask Neighborhood Services at 414-286-2268 about rent withholding.

Repairs in a rentalSource: City code violation process and rent withholding

Your bill for water and other City services. It can include sewer, stormwater, solid waste, street lighting, and snow-and-ice charges.

Look for this date: The due date on the bill. Water and municipal-services charges 180 days overdue as of October 1 may be added to the property tax bill with a 10% fee.

Do this first: Pay online, or call Customer Service at 414-286-2830 to ask about payment support.

Water bills and payment helpSource: Pay a Milwaukee municipal services bill

A letter about the water line that runs to your property, often about lead.

Look for this date: Any date in the letter for an appointment or a form to return.

Do this first: Look up your address in the Water Works service line inventory, then follow the steps in the letter.

Check your service lineSource: Milwaukee Water Works service-line lookup

Your tenancy ends if you don’t pay by the date on the notice. “Rent” here includes past-due rent and late fees owed on it. It applies to month-to-month and week-to-week tenants, and leases of one year or less.

Look for this date: At least 5 days after the notice is given. Check the date written on it.

Do this first: Paying everything the notice says you owe by that date keeps your tenancy. If you can’t pay it all, get help right away. Waiting doesn’t stop the clock.

What each notice meansSource: Wis. Stat. § 704.17, notices for unpaid rent or other breaches

This notice doesn’t have to offer a chance to pay. It applies to month-to-month tenants who are behind on rent. On a lease of one year or less, only if you already got a 5-day notice in the past year and are late again.

Look for this date: At least 14 days after the notice is given. Check the date written on it.

Do this first: Talk to Legal Aid or the Rental Housing Resource Center before the date passes.

What each notice meansSource: Wis. Stat. § 704.17, notices for unpaid rent or other breaches

You comply if you promptly take reasonable steps to fix the problem and keep at it, or offer to pay for the damage when that fully covers it. It applies to lease violations other than rent, such as damage or a broken rule, for month-to-month tenants and leases of one year or less.

Look for this date: At least 5 days after the notice is given. Check the date written on it.

Do this first: Keep a record of what you did and when. A second violation within a year can bring a 14-day notice with no chance to fix it. A month-to-month tenant can get a 14-day notice instead of a 5-day one.

What each notice meansSource: Wis. Stat. § 704.17, notices for unpaid rent or other breaches

The notice must give at least 30 days to pay rent, repair damage, or otherwise comply. For unpaid rent, everything due must be paid by the date on the notice. It applies to leases longer than one year.

Look for this date: At least 30 days after the notice is given. Check the date written on it.

Do this first: Respond in writing and keep copies of what you send and pay.

What each notice meansSource: Wis. Stat. § 704.17, notices for unpaid rent or other breaches

Either you or the landlord can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice of at least 28 days, ending at the end of a rental period. For week-to-week rentals, notice equal to one rent period is enough. It applies to month-to-month tenants, with no reason required.

Look for this date: At least 28 days after the notice is given. Check the date written on it.

Do this first: If you believe the notice is retaliation for a code complaint, talk to Legal Aid.

What each notice meansSource: Wis. Stat. § 704.19, ending a month-to-month tenancy

This is a court case, not a notice. The papers list the court date, time, and place. If you don’t appear, the court can rule against you without hearing your side.

Look for this date: The court date and time on the papers.

Do this first: Go to court on that date and time. Milwaukee County tenants served with an eviction summons can ask for free eviction defense through Eviction Free MKE at the Legal Aid Society. Contact them as soon as you get the papers.

What each notice meansSource: Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee services, including Eviction Free MKE