MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- City officials may introduce larger fines for property owners who consistently fail to provide heat to their tenants.

An empty building sits on 29th and Wisconsin after more than 40 of its residents were evacuated after being left with no heat or running water.

“Heat in this weather is lifesaving,” said Milwaukee Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski. “We cannot seem to get to some of the landlords in our area to pick up a phone.”

Alzorah Davis, a former property manager with Berrada Properties, says while working under the company several heat issues were reported by residents.

“Upset. Angry. Disappointed,” said Davis.

Now city officials are demanding landlords do better, but say their hands are tied.

“The state has created laws that has made it impossible to hold irresponsible landlords accountable,” said Ald. Sharlen Moore.

29th and Wisconsin CBS 58

When a building fails to provide adequate living conditions – the city can cite the building owners and temporarily shut it down, but Ald. Bob Bauman says that’s not enough.

“Fines of a couple hundred dollars here and couple of thousands of dollars there is just absorbed by landlords taking in 10, 20 million dollars a year in rent,” said Bauman.

That’s why he wants to introduce the Chronic Violator Ordinance, increasing fines against some property owners.

“We would have the authority to issue significant fines, meaningful fines -- $10,000, $20,000, $50,000,” said Bauman.

Bauman says he will work alongside the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) to draft the ordinance. It’s one city officials say could help residents across Milwaukee.

“No one deserves to live like that,” said Moore.

If you have no heat or running water, contact DNS or CLICK HERE.