Wisconsin

Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notices, rent control, and more for Wisconsin.

How we research these summaries

Every rule on this page is drawn from state statutes and municipal codes and summarized with AI assistance. Each one cites the statute it's based on and links to a published text of that law so you can read it firsthand. Where a page says a city or county has no local rule on a topic, that means none was found for the topics covered here — not that none exists. Local governments also regulate rental housing in ways these pages don't track, including registration, licensing, inspections and habitability standards. These summaries may be incomplete or out of date, laws change often, and every property and tenancy has specifics a summary can't capture — so treat this as a starting point for your own research, not as legal advice, and check with the local jurisdiction and a qualified attorney before acting on your particular situation.

What to Know in Wisconsin

Sources last checked July 2026

Wisconsin sets no cap on security deposits, but landlords must return one within 21 days of move-out with an itemized statement of deductions, and must give tenants a check-in sheet plus 7 days to document pre-existing damage — noncompliance exposes a landlord to double damages and attorney fees. Local rent control is banned statewide (Wis. Stat. § 66.1015), so no city, village, town, or county, including Milwaukee, may limit rent increases, which otherwise require 28 days' written notice.

5-day notice required before eviction for nonpayment of rent
28-day move-out notice required for month-to-month tenancies
No rent control — no statutory cap on rent increases
28-day advance written notice required for rent increases
Wisconsin law does not set a maximum limit on the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit.

5 rules summarized · Each linked to the law it cites

Security Deposit Limits

What is the security deposit limit in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin law does not set a maximum limit on the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit. Landlords may charge any amount they choose. However, ATCP 134.06 requires that all security deposits be returned within 21 days after the tenant vacates, accompanied by a written itemized statement of any deductions. Landlords must provide tenants with a check-in sheet and at least 7 days to document pre-existing damage. Failure to comply with return requirements may result in double damages and attorney fees.

Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; Wis. Stat. § 704.28

Last checked Jul 2026

Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin landlords must follow specific notice requirements before filing for eviction under Wis. Stat. § 704.17. For nonpayment of rent, landlords must provide at least 5 days written notice to pay or vacate (for month-to-month and fixed-term leases of one year or less), or 14 days notice if the tenant has previously defaulted within the past 12 months. For lease violations other than rent, landlords must give at least 5 days to cure or vacate (curable), or 14 days to vacate (uncurable/repeat). Leases longer than one year require 30 days notice. Retaliatory eviction is prohibited under Wis. Stat. § 704.45.

Wis. Stat. § 704.17; Wis. Stat. § 704.45

Last checked Jul 2026

Rent Increase Notice Periods

How much notice is required for rent increases in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin landlords must provide at least 28 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect, under Wis. Stat. § 704.19. This requirement applies to month-to-month tenancies and before the expiration of a fixed-term lease. There is no limit on the amount of a rent increase. For month-to-month tenants, the notice must be given at least 28 days before the next rent due date.

Wis. Stat. § 704.19

Last checked Jul 2026

Rent Control / Rent Increase Caps

Is there rent control in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin does not impose any cap on the amount by which a landlord may increase rent. Additionally, Wis. Stat. § 66.1015 expressly prohibits any city, village, town, or county from enacting or enforcing a local rent control ordinance. This state preemption means that no municipality in Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, may limit rent increases on private residential properties.

Wis. Stat. § 66.1015

Last checked Jul 2026

Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice

What is the move-out notice requirement in Wisconsin?

Under Wis. Stat. § 704.19, either a landlord or tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by providing at least 28 days written notice before the next rent due date. For week-to-week tenancies, the notice period equals the rent-paying period (at least 7 days). The notice must be in writing and must specify the termination date, which must align with the end of a rental period. Fixed-term leases automatically terminate at the end of the lease term; no notice is required unless the lease specifies otherwise.

Wis. Stat. § 704.19

Last checked Jul 2026

Stay compliant without the headache

Trenly monitors landlord-tenant laws and keeps your operations aligned — so you don't have to track every rule change yourself.

See how Trenly handles compliance Start free trial