{"id":377356,"date":"2017-09-21T14:42:38","date_gmt":"2017-09-21T19:42:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-tenant-rights-laws.html"},"modified":"2017-09-21T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-09-22T04:00:00","slug":"wisconsin-tenant-rights-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-tenant-rights-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Tenant Rights Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wisconsin Tenant Rights Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Whether you’re new to renting or a seasoned tenant, you’re probably aware of the multitude of issues that can come up throughout the landlord-tenant relationship<\/a>. To address many of these issues, Wisconsin has a number of laws governing the parties’ rights and responsibilities, in addition to federal and local laws. Read on to learn more about Wisconsin tenant rights laws.<\/p>\r\n

Tenant Rights: Repairs, Security Deposits, and More<\/h2>\r\n

Like other states, Wisconsin law protects you against discrimination<\/a> based on protected characteristics such as race, family status, and disability. This includes refusing to rent to someone, applying different terms or conditions, and lying about the availability of a dwelling based on a protected trait.<\/p>\r\n

Your landlord is also required to maintain the premises in a habitable condition<\/a>. This can mean making structural repairs and repairs necessary for services supplied by landlord such as heat, water, elevator, or air conditioning. However, the landlord is not responsible for repairing damage caused by your negligence or improper use of the premises.<\/p>\r\n

If you do cause damage beyond normal wear and tear, your landlord may retain all or part of your security deposit<\/a> to cover the repairs, or for unpaid rent or utility charges. In any case, you are entitled to receive the balance of your security deposit within 21 days of termination of the tenancy, as defined in the statute.<\/p>\r\n

Wisconsin’s landlord-tenant laws are designed to protect you from unfair practices and clarify your rights and responsibilities. Therefore, it’s also important to know that your landlord may not retaliate against you by raising the rent or evicting you<\/a> simply because you requested repairs or complained about housing code violations.<\/p>\r\n

Wisconsin Tenant Rights Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

The chart below provides a summary of Wisconsin state laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship, including links to important statutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Security Deposits<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Limit: No statutory maximum<\/li>\r\n
  • Must return all or part of the security deposit within 21 days<\/li>\r\n
  • Part or all may be used for:
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    • Damages beyond normal wear and tear<\/li>\r\n
    • Unpaid rent or utility bills<\/li>\r\n
    • Payment due under a nonstandard rental provision agreed to by the tenant<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Paying Rent<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • May not raise rent during lease term (e.g. 1 year lease) unless lease allows; may raise rent upon lease renewal with 28 days’ notice<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Living Conditions<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • With advance notice and at reasonable times, landlord may enter unit for certain reasons including:
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    • To make repairs<\/li>\r\n
    • Inspect premises<\/li>\r\n
    • Show premises to prospective tenants or purchasers<\/li>\r\n
    • In emergency (no notice required)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
    • Landlord must maintain premises in habitable condition: comply with housing codes, make repairs necessary for services supplied by landlord, make necessary structural repairs; does not include repairs necessitated by tenants\u2019 negligence or improper use of premises<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Discrimination<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • No discrimination based on sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, lawful source of income, age, or ancestry<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Ending or Renewing a Tenancy<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Landlord must give notice to terminate the tenancy:
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    • Yearly and monthly tenancies: 28 days<\/li>\r\n
    • Week-to-week tenancies: seven days<\/li>\r\n
    • Lease: as provided in the written lease<\/li>\r\n
    • Eviction: varies based on tenancy and reason for eviction (see \u00a7704.17)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
    • Eviction: court order required<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Retaliation<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n