With mixed emotions, we announce the retirement of Heiner Giese, the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin’s (RPA) devoted attorney and advocate for property owners for over 33 years. Since the early 1990s, Heiner has led RPA’s legislative and legal efforts, safeguarding the rights of rental property owners and fostering reasonable housing policies in Wisconsin.

Heiner began his journey with RPA alongside then-attorney Bob Smith, ultimately succeeding him when Bob retired. Over three decades, Heiner’s expertise and unwavering commitment have profoundly impacted our organization and the rental housing community.

Legislative Leadership

Heiner played a vital role in shaping local regulations, including lead paint rules, nuisance property ordinances, and property recording requirements, to minimize their impact on responsible property owners.

Between 2011 and 2018, Heiner and the RPA Legislative Committee, in close collaboration with the Wisconsin Realtors, spearheaded six landmark state bills that transformed Wisconsin’s rental laws. These included streamlining the eviction process, prohibiting local eviction moratoriums, restricting rental inspection programs, capping inspection fees, and ensuring owners could represent their LLCs in eviction court. (A detailed summary of these accomplishments will be available.)

These victories created a more equitable legal landscape for rental property owners across the state.

Legal Advocacy

Heiner has been a vigilant advocate for property owners in Milwaukee County Courts, working to ensure compliance with Wisconsin law and fair treatment for landlords.

At the state level, Heiner successfully argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court to prevent sealing eviction cases after one year and helped secure a pivotal decision affirming owners’ rights to evict tenants for lease violations, such as illegal drug use.

Nationally, Heiner represented private rental owners through the National Housing Provider Coalition, collaborating with groups like the National Association of Realtors and submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in a case challenging eviction moratoriums. He was the only rental owner representative at two national housing conferences in D.C.

A Legacy of Advocacy

Heiner oversaw RPA’s eviction study, countering anti-owner narratives. He also played a key role in the Milwaukee Rental Housing Coalition, ensuring more effective distribution of COVID Emergency Rental Assistance funds than owners in other areas.

Even as retirement nears, Heiner continues to guide the Association, working closely with his successor, Attorney Kirsten Pezewski, to ensure a smooth transition.

Thank You, Heiner

Heiner’s leadership and advocacy have profoundly shaped Wisconsin’s rental housing landscape and left an enduring legacy for property owners.

Thank you, Heiner, for 33 years of tireless dedication. You will be deeply missed, and we wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement.