HomeRocketRent Logo

Wisconsin

A Wisconsin lease termination letter serves as a formal legal document that landlords or tenants use to end rental agreements. This written notice protects both parties by establishing clear expectations and timelines for ending the landlord-tenant relationship. Property owners and renters must follow specific procedures when drafting and serving these documents to ensure compliance with Wisconsin landlord-tenant laws.

The average rating is 0/5, for null votes.
Rating star - 0
Rating star - 1
Rating star - 2
Rating star - 3
Rating star - 4

(No Ratings Yet)

Sign Up
PDF downloadDOC downloadGoogle Drive download
Wisconsin Lease Termination Letter For Month-To-Month Lease

Wisconsin Lease Termination Letter For Month-To-Month Lease

    Understanding Your Wisconsin Lease Termination Letter

    Property owners send termination letters when they want to end month-to-month rental agreements, reclaim their property for personal use, or prepare for property renovations. Tenants use these letters when relocating for employment, purchasing their own homes, or experiencing changes in financial circumstances. Both parties may need termination letters when the rental relationship becomes unworkable.

    Types of Wisconsin Lease Termination Letters

    Twenty-Eight Day Notice for Month-to-Month Tenancies

    Wisconsin law requires 28 days’ written notice for month-to-month lease terminations under Wis. Stat. § 704.19. Property owners and tenants must deliver their termination notice at least 28 calendar days before the intended ending date. For monthly tenants, this means written notice given at least 28 days in advance. The notice applies to standard monthly rental agreements and expired fixed-term leases that converted to periodic tenancies.

    Week-to-Week Tenancy Termination Letters

    Property owners use 7-day notice letters for week-to-week tenancies under Wisconsin law. Landlords must provide written notice at least seven calendar days before the termination date when dealing with tenants who pay rent weekly.

    Fixed-Term Lease Ending Notices

    Fixed-term leases typically end automatically on their specified expiration date without requiring formal termination letters. However, landlords often send courtesy notices reminding tenants about upcoming lease endings.

    How to Write a Wisconsin Lease Termination Letter

    Every Wisconsin lease termination letter must include the renter’s full legal name, current rental property address, and exact termination date. Landlords must include updated contact details with phone number, email, and mailing address. The letter requires both printed name and handwritten signature, plus a certificate of service documenting delivery date and method.

    Calculating Termination Dates

    Wisconsin’s 28-day notice measures from the date notice is properly served. For example, if a landlord serves notice on August 15, the earliest termination would be September 12 or later. When the final day falls on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the termination date extends to the next business day.

    Serving Your Wisconsin Lease Termination Letter

    Wisconsin law permits landlords to serve letters through personal delivery, certified mail, or first-class mail. Property owners should use certified mail with return receipt to establish proof. Landlords should photograph notices and keep copies of delivery receipts.

    Special Circumstances

    Property owners must return security deposits within 21 days after tenants vacate under Wis. Stat. § 704.28. Landlords must provide itemized statements explaining any deductions along with remaining balance. Wisconsin law provides exceptions for military deployment or uninhabitable conditions.

    Wisconsin-Specific Considerations

    Milwaukee Metro Area

    Milwaukee represents Wisconsin’s largest city with rental markets driven by manufacturing, healthcare, brewing, and financial services. Property owners face competitive conditions throughout metro area. Landlords should understand Milwaukee combines industrial heritage with growing service economy.

    Madison State Capital and UW

    Madison serves as Wisconsin’s capital and home to University of Wisconsin flagship campus with over 45,000 students. Property owners benefit from stable government employment and massive student housing demand. Landlords should time terminations with academic transitions, particularly May/August semesters.

    Green Bay and Packers Culture

    Green Bay represents a mid-sized market with economy heavily influenced by Packers NFL franchise and paper industry. Property owners should understand football culture affects community identity. Landlords benefit from stable manufacturing employment base.

    University of Wisconsin System

    Wisconsin’s extensive UW System includes major campuses in Madison, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Whitewater, and many others. Property owners in college towns should consider academic calendars when timing terminations. Landlords benefit from consistent student demand across the state.

    Marquette University Market

    Marquette in Milwaukee creates strong rental demand near campus and throughout downtown. Property owners should understand private university attracts students from affluent families. Landlords face competitive student housing market.

    Dairy Farming Heritage

    Wisconsin’s dairy industry dominates rural areas affecting agricultural communities statewide. Property owners in farming regions should understand seasonal agricultural patterns. Landlords may face challenges in rural areas with limited tenant pools.

    Manufacturing Sector Strength

    Wisconsin maintains strong manufacturing base including machinery, paper products, and food processing. Property owners near industrial centers benefit from blue-collar employment. Landlords should understand manufacturing creates stable rental demand.

    Harsh Winter Climate

    Wisconsin experiences severe winters with heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, and extended cold periods. Property owners scheduling winter terminations must maintain heating systems throughout notice periods, as adequate heating is essential to habitability. Landlords must ensure proper insulation and snow removal.

    Great Lakes Waterfront

    Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan and Lake Superior coastlines create premium rental markets in waterfront communities. Property owners in lakefront areas command higher rates. Landlords should understand tourism affects seasonal demand.

    Door County Tourism

    Door County peninsula represents major tourism destination with seasonal rental markets. Property owners should understand summer tourism drives demand. Landlords may face pressure to convert long-term rentals to vacation properties.

    Wisconsin Dells Water Parks

    Wisconsin Dells creates seasonal employment and housing demand driven by massive water park industry. Property owners should understand tourism creates volatile seasonal markets. Landlords face summer peak demand.

    Fox Valley Region Growth

    The Fox Valley including Appleton, Oshkosh, and surrounding communities represents growing market with paper industry and UW campuses. Property owners benefit from diverse economy. Landlords should understand Fox Valley combines manufacturing with education.

    Beer and Brewing Culture

    Wisconsin’s strong beer culture and brewing heritage affects lifestyle expectations. Property owners should understand social culture centered on taverns and breweries. Landlords benefit from cultural amenities attracting residents.

    Relatively Balanced Landlord-Tenant Laws

    Wisconsin maintains moderate landlord-tenant laws balancing property rights with tenant protections. Property owners benefit from reasonable regulations. Landlords should follow proper procedures and understand Wisconsin courts expect compliance.

    High Property Taxes

    Wisconsin has relatively high property taxes compared to neighboring states. Property owners face substantial tax burdens affecting operating costs. Landlords should factor property taxes into rental pricing decisions.

    Lake Effect Snow

    Communities along Lake Michigan experience heavy lake effect snow during winter months. Property owners in lakefront areas must maintain rigorous snow removal. Landlords should understand lake effect creates localized heavy snowfall.

    Progressive Madison Culture

    Madison maintains progressive political culture contrasting with conservative rural areas. Property owners in Madison face tenant-friendly environment. Landlords should understand capital city politics differ from rest of state.

    Rural-Urban Divide

    Wisconsin exhibits stark rural-urban divide between Milwaukee-Madison urban corridor and agricultural regions. Property owners should understand vastly different market conditions. Landlords face different tenant expectations in cities versus small towns.

    Affordable Compared to Chicago

    Wisconsin offers more affordable housing than neighboring Chicago attracting Illinois residents. Property owners benefit from out-of-state migration. Landlords should understand proximity to Chicago affects southeastern Wisconsin markets.

    State Fair Park Area

    Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis creates seasonal activity affecting local rental markets. Property owners near fairgrounds should understand annual event impacts. Landlords may benefit from short-term fair-related demand.

    Paper Industry Legacy

    Wisconsin’s paper industry heritage affects communities in Fox Valley and northern regions. Property owners should understand paper mills provide employment. Landlords face potential volatility if mills close or downsize.

    Northwoods Recreation

    Wisconsin’s northern forests create recreation-based economy affecting rental markets in resort communities. Property owners in northwoods should understand seasonal tourism patterns. Landlords may benefit from vacation rental opportunities.

    Relatively Low Crime Rates

    Wisconsin maintains relatively low crime rates compared to national averages benefiting rental markets. Property owners benefit from safe communities. Landlords should understand safety attracts quality tenants.

    Strong Public Education System

    Wisconsin’s historically strong public schools and universities attract families. Property owners near quality school districts command premium rates. Landlords benefit from education-focused tenant demand.

    Best Practices

    Document all communications and maintain organized records. Property owners should consult attorneys for complex situations. Both parties benefit from professional communication. Landlords should plan for harsh winter weather including heavy snow removal obligations and ensure heating systems function properly throughout Wisconsin’s brutal winters.

    Conclusion

    Understanding Wisconsin lease termination letter requirements protects both landlords and tenants. Property owners must follow specific legal procedures when creating and serving notices, including the 28-day notice requirement and 21-day security deposit return deadline. Proper compliance helps avoid disputes and ensures smooth transitions in Wisconsin’s diverse rental market characterized by strong college town presence, manufacturing employment, harsh winters, Great Lakes recreation, balanced landlord-tenant laws, and stark contrasts between progressive urban areas and conservative rural communities.

    Statutes

    Wisconsin PDF

    FAQs

    A Wisconsin lease termination letter is a legal document used by either a landlord or tenant to notify the other party of their intention to terminate a month-to-month lease, requiring at least 28 days advance notice.

    In Wisconsin, the required notice period for terminating a month-to-month lease is 28 days. This means the notice must be delivered at least 28 days before the end of the rental period.

    A lease termination notice in Wisconsin can be delivered through hand delivery, leaving it with a competent person at the residence, mailing it to the tenant’s address, or affixing it to the residence. If mailed, it should be sent via registered or certified mail.

    If a tenant refuses to leave after a lease termination notice has been served, the landlord may collect up to twice the rent due for the period the tenant remains in the property after the termination date.

    To calculate the expiration date for a lease termination notice in Wisconsin, start counting the notice period the day after the notice is delivered. For example, to terminate a lease by June 30, the notice must be delivered by May 31.

    A Wisconsin lease termination notice should include the full name of the receiving party, the termination date, the address of the rental premises, the sender’s current contact information, and the method of delivery. It should also be signed by the sender.

    Yes, a Wisconsin 7-day notice to vacate can be used to terminate a week-to-week lease or rental agreements without a written lease where rent is paid weekly. The notice must be given at least seven days before the end of the rental period.

    In Wisconsin, if a tenant holds over after a lease termination, the landlord may charge the tenant up to twice the rent due for the period they remain in the property after the termination date.