The University of Wisconsin-Extension in consultation with various groups developed RentSmart. This series of 3 classes are offered, free of charge, and can be scheduled in our four county service area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha). RentSmart is designed to provide practical education to help people looking for rental housing to acquire and keep decent housing.

Classes are held from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
IndependenceFirst
600 W Virginia Street
c/o ACAP
Milwaukee, WI
121 Wisconsin Street
Room 601
Waukesha, WI
Lower Level

April 18, 19, 20 (Milwaukee)
July 18, 19, 20 (Waukesha)
September 19, 20, 21 (Milwaukee)

RentSmart Curriculum

Where Does The Money Go?
Provides guidance to participant on how to determine their monthly income and develop a record of their expenses so that they can determine how much they can afford for housing.

Developing A Spending Plan
Develop a spending plan to gain better control of where your money goes. Discuss how to reduce expenses and provides information on what to do in a financial emergency.

Making the Most of Your Credit Report
Learn how to get a copy of your credit report and learn ways to improve it.

Finding A Place To Live
Determine what is most important to you in a place to live, learn how to find affordable apartments.

Checking Out The Apartment And The Landlord
Provides tools to decide if you will be comfortable with the apartment and having a business relationship with a landlord.

The Rental Application
Learn about the techniques landlords use to screen applicants. Covers fair housing regulations, which are intended to control discriminatory screening practices.

Understanding Rental Agreements
Practice reading and understanding rental agreements.

Home Care: Who Is Responsible For What?
Determine repair responsibilities, including rental agreements, rental check-in forms, care, and repair responsibilities according to state regulations.

Home Care: Keeping It Clean and Safe
Learn basic tips on ways to keep your home clean with minimum effort. Gives information on how to handle home-care emergencies.

Communicating With Your Landlord And Neighbors
Emphasis is placed on effective verbal skills, writing letter of request and resolving conflicts with neighbors.

Moving On: Notice, Security Deposits and Evictions
Covers steps in ending a rental agreement. Deals with a common problem, security deposits. Briefly describes steps including evictions that landlords take if they want a tenant to move out.

For the safety and comfort of those with chemical and environmental sensitivities, IndependenceFirst request that persons attending agency-sponsored events refrain from using any perfumed grooming products such as scented soaps, deodorants, perfumes, colognes, and heavily scented fabric softeners. We maintain a smoke-free environment; therefore in addition to not smoking in the building, we ask that you refrain from smoking in paths of travel and doorways.

IndependenceFirst is committed to providing the highest degree of accessibility within its means when conducting agency-sponsored events. Please notify staff of your disability-related accommodation requests three weeks in advance of attending a class or workshop, or at the time of registration. We will attempt to honor all requests but cannot assure that requests made after the deadlines will be met.