Wisconsin Landlord Tenant Law Summary

It is difficult to keep track of the many intricacies of the law, however, knowing the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants can help avoid disputes in the future. The Wisconsin Landlord Tenant Law Summary is a comprehensive guide to navigating the landlord-tenant relationship in the state of Wisconsin.

This document, created by Wisconsin's Bureau of Credit Protection, outlines all of the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords. The guide is intended to give both parties the information needed to manage the relationship and resolve problems that may arise. It walks you through each stage of the renting process, from what you should know before renting and throughout the application process, to terminating a tenancy. The document also includes detailed information on various topics that you may have questions about during a tenancy, such as when a landlord may increase the rent, and issues involving eviction, foreclosure, and notice.

Additionally, the guide goes through the Residential Rental Practices in Wisconsin, also known as “landlord-tenant rules,” which are regulations that apply to certain living arrangements. The Wisconsin Landlord Tenant Law Summary explains what living arrangements are subject to these rules and also details the regulations regarding security deposits, repairs, prohibited lease provisions, etc. This guide is useful for both landlords and tenants alike. For landlords, this document sets forth all of the responsibilities and obligations landlords have under state law and also provides critical information on what landlords and permitted or not permitted to do. The document is also useful for landlords because it details exactly what rights tenants have before, during, and after their lease term.

The Wisconsin Landlord Tenant Law Summary is available in PDF format and can be saved for any time you may need to refresh your memory on these critical issues in the future.

Please Note: This document is reproduced here for educational purposes only.

Wisconsin Rental Forms and Templates

• Wisconsin Non-Standard Lease Provisions Addendum: This Addendum allows Wisconsin Landlords to deduct additional expenses from the security deposit besides standard deductions.
• Wisconsin 5 Day Notice to Vacate (Drug Offense): Use this form if the police notify you of drug-related activity at your Wisconsin rental property.
• Wisconsin 5 Day Notice to Pay or Vacate: This form should be used for late rent payments for monthly Lease Agreements or for late payments for Lease Agreements of less than one year if it’s the first time the Tenant has been late with rent.
• Wisconsin 30-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate: This form should be used when a Tenant has violated a Lease Agreement that has a term of more than one year.
• Wisconsin 14-Day Notice to Vacate: This form can be used to initiate eviction proceedings in certain circumstances when the Lease Agreement is less than one year.
• Wisconsin 28-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy: This form is used to end a periodic tenancy. It can be for any reason or for no reason at all.
• Wisconsin 5 Day Notice to Cure or Vacate: This form notifies Tenants that they have violated a Lease term and must cure the violation or vacate the premises.
• Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Law Summary: This resource outlines Landlord and Tenant rights and obligations in Wisconsin.
• Wisconsin Rent Certificate: This form is required for Tenants that are going to claim Homestead Credit on their Wisconsin taxes.

State-Specific Forms