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Wisconsin

A Wisconsin lease agreement is a contract that allows a tenant to temporarily reside in a landlord’s property. This document includes essential details such as the names and addresses of both the tenant and landlord, the property address, the length of the lease, pet allowances, safety disclosures, and specifics regarding rent payments.

SimpleBasicLease_Wisconsin

SimpleBasicLease_Wisconsin

Rental Lease Laws Overview

In Wisconsin, there are no statewide rent control laws, and there is no statutory limit on late fees. Late fees can be included in the rental agreement if specified, but there is no grace period for late payments. Additionally, landlords are not required to hold a license to rent properties.

Landlords may ask prospective tenants to complete a rental application to evaluate their rental history and reliability.

Required Lease Disclosures

Wisconsin law mandates several disclosures that landlords must provide to tenants:

  • Lead-Based Hazards: Landlords must inform tenants about potential lead hazards in buildings constructed before 1978.
  • Rental Inspection Checklist: Upon moving in, tenants receive a checklist to complete within seven days.
  • Notice of Abandoned Personal Property: Landlords may dispose of any abandoned property but typically notify tenants before doing so.
  • Code Violations: Any building code violations that could affect living conditions must be disclosed.
  • Identification of Landlord or Authorized Agents: Landlords must provide contact information for themselves and any authorized agents.
  • Utility Charges: If the property does not have separate meters, landlords must disclose how utility charges are divided among tenants.

Security Deposit

Wisconsin law does not impose a maximum limit on security deposits. Landlords are required to provide a receipt for any security deposit received. While interest payments on security deposits are not mandated, landlords may choose to keep the deposit in a separate bank account and inform the tenant of its location.

Landlords must return a tenant’s security deposit within twenty-one days after the lease ends or when a new tenant begins. Tenants have at least seven days after the rental agreement starts to inspect the property for damages and request a list of any damages charged to the previous tenant’s security deposit. If a landlord withholds any portion of the deposit, they must provide an itemized statement detailing the damages and claims against the deposit.

Rent Payments

Rent is typically due at the beginning of the rental period. There are no statewide rent control laws, and landlords must specify any late fees in the lease agreement. Since there is no grace period, landlords can issue a 5-day notice to quit immediately after rent becomes overdue. Tenants may qualify for rent abatement if the property is in poor condition but cannot withhold the entire rent amount while remaining on the property.

Landlord Right of Entry

Landlords in Wisconsin may enter the premises for inspections, repairs, or to show the property to prospective tenants or buyers, provided they give advance notice to the tenant, generally at least twelve hours. In emergencies, landlords can enter without prior notice if the tenant is not present. Tenants may request to change locks if they provide the appropriate documentation.

Property Repairs

Landlords are responsible for inspecting and repairing the property. Tenants are not allowed to make physical changes to the property without the landlord’s consent. If a tenant’s neglect leads to a breach of the lease, the landlord can issue a 5-day notice to quit.

Terminating a Lease

For month-to-month tenancies, a 28-day notice is required to terminate the lease. Landlords may dispose of any abandoned property as they see fit, except for medical equipment, which must be held for seven days before disposal.

City-Specific Considerations

While the above requirements apply throughout Wisconsin, local regulations may vary, particularly in Milwaukee. It is important for both landlords and tenants to check local laws to ensure compliance.

Statutes

FAQs

In Wisconsin, landlords must provide several disclosures, including information about lead-based hazards for buildings constructed before 1978, a rental inspection checklist, notice of abandoned personal property, building code violations, identification of the landlord or authorized agents, and utility charges if there are shared meters.

Wisconsin law does not impose a maximum amount for security deposits. However, landlords are required to provide a receipt for any security deposit received and must return it within twenty-one days after the lease ends or a new tenant moves in.

Yes, landlords in Wisconsin can charge late fees, but there are no specific limits set by law. Any late fee must be included in the written lease agreement, and there is no grace period for rent payments.

Wisconsin landlords must provide advance notice to tenants before entering the premises, typically at least twelve hours. However, in emergencies, landlords can enter without notice if the tenant is not present.

Tenants in Wisconsin have seven days from their move-in date to complete a rental inspection checklist provided by the landlord. If they find issues, they should document them and communicate with the landlord to address the problems.

To terminate a month-to-month lease in Wisconsin, a tenant must provide a 28-day notice to the landlord. This notice must be given before the next rental period begins.

No, Wisconsin does not have any statewide rent control laws, and no local government can impose rent control measures. Landlords have the freedom to set rental prices without restrictions.

If a tenant abandons personal property in Wisconsin, the landlord may dispose of it at their discretion. It is common practice for landlords to notify the tenant before disposing of any abandoned property.