IL
IntelligentLandlord
HomeState LawsWisconsin
Balanced · Rank #26 of 51

Wisconsin
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Everything a landlord needs to know about Wisconsin law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

7
out of 10 · Balanced
📋
Notice Period
5 days
⏱️
Full Eviction
~40 days
💰
Deposit Max
None
🔑
Entry Notice
12 hrs
💳
Late Fee Cap
None
Rent Control
No
Live Market Data · RentCast

Wisconsin Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Mar 29, 2026
1 Bedroom
$1,157
2 Bedrooms
$1,300
3 Bedrooms
$1,998
YoY Trend
-8%
Days on Market
58d
Milwaukee W
53208
1BR$875
2BR$1,150
3BR$1,295
YoY
+9.5%
DOM
50.85d
Listings
99
Madison SW
53711
1BR$1,439
2BR$1,450
3BR$2,700
YoY
-25.6%
DOM
64.67d
Listings
124

Wisconsin Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in Wisconsin

01
Serve Notice
5-day written notice for non-payment of rent. Must be delivered personally or posted on door.
02
File Complaint
If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 5 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $94.50.
03
Court Hearing
Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.
04
Judgment & Possession
If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.
ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE
5d
Filing + Hearing (14d)
7d
Writ (14d)
Average total: 40 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

Wisconsin security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰
Maximum Deposit
None
Per current statutes
📅
Return Deadline
14–45 days
After tenant vacates
📋
Itemization Required
Yes
Written itemization of deductions
📈
Interest Required
No
Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under Wisconsin law

✅ Landlord Rights
No deposit cap
No rent control
Landlord-favorable ATCP 134
⚖️ Tenant Rights
Habitability
12-hr entry notice
Repair & deduct

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in Wisconsin before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint
📄 Landlord identity
📄 Nonstandard rental provisions

Rent Control Status

Wisconsin rent increase and rent control laws

No Rent Control in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms).

Wisconsin Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in Wisconsin?+
The average eviction timeline in Wisconsin is 40 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 5 days. Filing fee is $94.50.
What is the security deposit limit in Wisconsin?+
In Wisconsin, the security deposit maximum is None. Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
Does Wisconsin have rent control?+
No. Wisconsin has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.
How much entry notice is required in Wisconsin?+
Landlords in Wisconsin must provide at least 12 hours written notice before entering a rental unit.

Compare Similar States

States with comparable landlord-friendliness scores

Alabama
8
30d eviction · 1 month
Alaska
6
45d eviction · 2 months
Florida
8
30d eviction · None
Georgia
8
30d eviction · None
← All StatesEviction Resources →