Wisconsin Commercial Lease Agreement
A Wisconsin commercial lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a business tenant. This agreement outlines the terms for renting a property for business activities and details the obligations of the tenant, including monthly payments, security deposits, and other requirements. The primary purpose of this document is to ensure clear guidelines for the duration of the lease.

Wisconsin Commercial Lease Agreement
Rental Laws
The relevant rental laws for commercial leases in Wisconsin are governed by Chapter 411 of the Wisconsin Uniform Commercial Code. This chapter establishes the legal framework for commercial transactions, including lease agreements.
Consumer Protection Laws
Wisconsin Statute § 411.104 addresses consumer protection laws related to commercial leases. This statute is designed to protect the rights of consumers in business transactions, including those involved in lease agreements.
Jurisdiction
According to Wisconsin Statute § 411.106, if a lease agreement cites laws that do not apply to the lessee’s jurisdiction of residence, those laws cannot be enforced. This highlights the importance of ensuring that the terms of the lease comply with the applicable jurisdictional laws.
Wisconsin Business Entity Search
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions provides a tool known as the Wisconsin Business Entity Search. This tool allows landlords to check the business affiliations of prospective tenants, which can be an important step in the leasing process.
Statutes
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.06 – Security deposits
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.06(2) – Security deposits
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.06(4) – Security deposits
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.06(1)(a) – Security deposits
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.06(1)(b) – Security deposits
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.05(4) – Earnest money deposits and credit check fees
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.03(2a) – Rental agreements and receipts
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.19(3) – Notice necessary to terminate periodic tenancies and tenancies at will
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.15 – Requirement that landlord notify tenant of automatic renewal clause
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.07(4) – Repairs; untenantability
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.09(7) – Prohibited practices
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 799.25(10) – Costs
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.29(2)(b) – Recovery of rent and damages by landlord; mitigation
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.17(1) – Notice terminating tenancies for failure to pay rent or other breach by tenant
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.17(2)(b) – Notice terminating tenancies for failure to pay rent or other breach by tenant
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.17(3) – Notice terminating tenancies for failure to pay rent or other breach by tenant
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.05(2) – Rights and duties of landlord and tenant in absence of written agreement to contrary
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.04(8) – Check-in sheet
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 106.50(5m) – Open housing
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.16 – Termination of tenancy for imminent threat of serious physical harm; changing locks
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.05(5)(a) – Rights and duties of landlord and tenant in absence of written agreement to contrary
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.05(5)(2) – Rights and duties of landlord and tenant in absence of written agreement to contrary
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.45 – Retaliatory conduct in residential tenancies prohibited
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.04(2) – Disclosure requirements
- Wis. Admin. Code §§ 134.04(1) – Disclosure requirements
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 799.01(2) – Applicability of chapter
- Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 799.40 – Eviction actions
FAQs
A Wisconsin commercial lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a business tenant that outlines the terms for renting a property for business activities. It details the tenant’s obligations, including monthly payments, security deposits, and other requirements, ensuring clear guidelines for the lease duration.
Key requirements for a commercial lease in Wisconsin include adherence to rental laws as outlined in Chapter 411 of the Wisconsin Uniform Commercial Code and compliance with consumer protection laws such as Wis. Stat. § 411.104. Additionally, the lease must respect the jurisdiction of the lessee’s residence according to Wis. Stat. § 411.106.
Landlords in Wisconsin can verify a tenant’s business affiliation using the Wisconsin Business Entity Search tool provided by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. This tool allows landlords to check the legitimacy and status of prospective tenants’ business entities.
If a lease agreement cites laws that do not apply to the lessee’s jurisdiction of residence, those laws cannot be enforced, as stated in Wis. Stat. § 411.106. This emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the lease complies with the relevant laws applicable to the tenant’s location.
A Wisconsin commercial lease agreement template can be downloaded in PDF or MS Word format, providing a convenient option for landlords and tenants to create a legally binding contract that meets their specific needs.