Landlord Charging “rubbish Clean Up” Fees After Recent Tornado

location: Appleton, Wisconsin

i originally posted this is elsewhere and was told to come here for better advice. my cousin was displaced temporarily following a recent tornado, which passed right through her apartment’s property in Appleton, Wisconsin. the tornado busted her bedroom window, flooding the upper level. fortunately, most of the furniture was recovered, but the carpet was soaked. after three days of hot, muggy weather and no electricity, the carpet quickly became musty and rank. we’re worried that mold may start growing.

this happened to multiple tenants around the complex. almost all the trees were demolished by the storm and had to be removed from the parking lot. otherwise, apart from some roof and siding damage, the property made it out relatively unscathed compared to what we’ve seen in other parts of the community.

her property manager arranged for her carpet to be cleaned this morning. it’s unclear whether it will even be replaced, as the manager said they won’t be assessing for mold (red flag #1?). my cousin and her neighbors soon discovered that they were charged an extra “rubbish pick up” fee of over $200 IN ADDITION to their rent this month (red flag #2?). if they don’t pay the extra fees, my cousin and her family were told they will receive a 5-day eviction notice (red flag #3?). several families got the same notice. they’re almost certain that the fee is to cover the cost of carpet cleaning and tree removal from the storm, but no one has definitive proof. i told her to try asking for an itemized receipt to show what exactly they’re being charged for.

am i crazy for thinking this is probably absolutely illegal and, at bare minimum, highly unethical? i told my cousin NOT to pay the fees and go to court if necessary, but i don’t know what other advice to give her. we’re in our 20s and come from a low income, lesser educated family. i’m worried that they’re trying to take advantage of her and her neighbors.

i looked over her lease and it states nothing about acts of god or extra clean up fees. my cousin contacted her renter’s insurance, but she said she hasn’t gotten a response yet. i’ll probably have to follow up with her on this.

tldr; my cousin’s landlord is trying to charge them for “rubbish clean up” following a recent tornado and i’m worried that it might be illegal. does anyone have advice?