Wisconsin Residential Lease Agreement

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Build a legally conforming Residential Lease Agreement for Wisconsin that incorporates all required disclosures and clauses under Wisconsin landlord-tenant law. Fill in your details and download your completed, ready-to-sign Residential Lease Agreement as a professional PDF for $7.99.

Wisconsin law requires specific provisions in rental agreements that defends both property owner and renter. While Wisconsin does not impose a statutory cap on security deposits, landlords must return deposits within 21 days. Wisconsin requires 7 specific disclosures in lease agreements.

Wisconsin Lease Requirements

Security Deposit Limit No statutory limit

Deposit Return Deadline 21 days

Deposit Interest Required Not required

Late Fee Cap No statutory cap on late fees; however late fees must be disclosed in the rental agreement and may not be unconscionable; Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 134 governs rental practices

Grace Period No statutory grace period

Landlord Notice (Month-to-Month) 28 days

Tenant Notice (Month-to-Month) 28 days

Entry Notice 12 hours

Key Statute Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 704

Required Disclosures Lead-based paint disclosure (federal requirement for pre-1978 housing); Name and address of the landlord and any authorized agents; Move-in condition checklist, landlord must provide a Check-In Form documenting the condition of the unit before or at the start of tenancy; Disclosure of any building code violations of which the landlord is aware; Notice of any outstanding building or housing code violations; Disclosure of whether the premises has been found to contain lead paint (for pre-1978 housing); Landlord must disclose if a dwelling unit is in a flood plain

Wisconsin Residential Lease Agreement Checklist

Print this or save it as a PDF to use when preparing and signing the agreement.

Before you sign

Both parties read the entire agreement before signing.
Walk through the unit and document any existing damage in writing.
Confirm the move-in date and key handover arrangements.
Verify the security deposit amount and accepted payment method.

Wisconsin rules to know

Landlord must return the deposit within 21 days of move-out.
Late fee cap: No statutory cap on late fees; however late fees must be disclosed in the rental agreement and may not be unconscionable; Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 134 governs rental practices.
Landlord must give 12 hours before entering the unit.
To end a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give 28 days written notice.
To end a month-to-month tenancy, the tenant must give 28 days written notice.
Required disclosures: Lead-based paint disclosure (federal requirement for pre-1978 housing); Name and address of the landlord and any authorized agents; Move-in condition checklist, landlord must provide a Check-In Form documenting the condition of the unit before or at the start of tenancy; Disclosure of any building code violations of which the landlord is aware.

In the agreement itself

Full legal names of all landlords and tenants.
Complete property address, including unit number.
Lease term: start date, end date.
Monthly rent amount and the due date.
Security deposit amount and the conditions for deductions.
Late fee amount and the grace period, if any.
Pet policy, smoking policy, and guest policy.
Utility responsibilities (which party pays each utility).
Signatures of all parties.

Both parties should keep a signed copy. Wisconsin landlord-tenant law governs this agreement (Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 704).

What to Include in a Wisconsin Residential Lease Agreement

Every Residential Lease Agreement in Wisconsin should include the following vital provisions: identification of the landlord and tenant, a complete description of the rental property, the lease term and rent amount, security deposit terms including the amount and return deadline (21 days in Wisconsin), late fee policies that comply with state limits, utility responsibilities, rules regarding pets, smoking, and occupancy limits, maintenance and repair obligations, right of entry provisions, termination and renewal terms, and all state-required disclosures.

Wisconsin law requires landlords to disclose lead-based paint disclosure, name and address of the landlord and any authorized agents, move-in condition checklist, landlord must provide a check-in form documenting the condition of the unit before or at the start of tenancy, disclosure of any building code violations of which the landlord is aware, notice of any outstanding building or housing code violations. Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 134 governs most residential rental practices and is strictly enforced.

How to Complete a Wisconsin Residential Lease Agreement

To complete a Residential Lease Agreement in Wisconsin, start by gathering the necessary information: full legal names and addresses of all parties, the complete property address, the agreed-upon rent amount and payment terms, and the security deposit amount. You will also need to decide on house rules such as pet policies, smoking restrictions, and quiet hours.

Our platform walks you through each section with a guided form that only shows fields required for Wisconsin. Once you have filled in all details, you can preview the document, choose from five professional document styles, and download your completed Residential Lease Agreement as a PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin does not impose a statutory cap on security deposits. Landlords must return the deposit within 21 days after move-out, minus lawful deductions.

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Wisconsin?

Yes. Wisconsin caps late fees at no statutory cap on late fees; however late fees must be disclosed in the rental agreement and may not be unconscionable; wisconsin administrative code atcp 134 governs rental practices. Late fee terms must be clearly stated in the lease.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin requires landlords to give 12 hours before entering a rental unit for non-emergency purposes. Entry without proper notice may violate tenant rights under Wisconsin landlord-tenant law. Emergency situations such as fire or flood allow immediate entry without advance notice.

What disclosures are required in a Wisconsin residential lease?

Wisconsin requires these disclosures in residential lease agreements: Lead-based paint disclosure (federal requirement for pre-1978 housing); Name and address of the landlord and any authorized agents; Move-in condition checklist, landlord must provide a Check-In Form documenting the condition of the unit before or at the start of tenancy; Disclosure of any building code violations of which the landlord is aware; Notice of any outstanding building or housing code violations, and others. Missing required disclosures can expose landlords to penalties or give tenants grounds to break the lease. Our platform automatically includes all required Wisconsin disclosures.

Does a residential lease need to be notarized in Wisconsin?

No. Wisconsin does not require residential leases to be notarized. A lease is binding once signed by both landlord and tenant. However, leases longer than one year may need to be witnessed or recorded depending on local requirements - check with a local attorney if your lease term exceeds 12 months.

Is a written lease agreement required in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin does not require written leases for all tenancies, but oral agreements are harder to enforce and provide less protection. Written leases are required for tenancies exceeding one year under the Statute of Frauds. A written Residential Lease Agreement clearly documents rent, security deposit terms, house rules, and each party's obligations - reducing disputes significantly.

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