Landlord-tenant law

Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Wisconsin.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
No statutory limit (must be 'reasonable')
Wis. Stat. § 704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
21 days
Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4); Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06(2)
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Non-Payment Eviction Notice
5-day notice to pay or quit
Wis. Stat. § 704.17(2)(a)
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Month-to-Month Termination
28 days
Wis. Stat. § 704.19(3)
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statewide cap (must be reasonable per ATCP 134); Madison: 5% of monthly rent
Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.09(8) (statewide); Madison Mun. Code § 32.09 (Madison only)
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Grace Period
No statewide grace period. Milwaukee: some protections. Madison: de-facto 5-day standard.
Wisconsin specific notes

Wisconsin landlord-tenant law is substantially governed by the DATCP administrative code (ATCP 134) in addition to Wis. Stat. § 704. ATCP 134 imposes specific requirements on deposits (written inventory, wear-and-tear standards) with significant penalties for violations. Madison (Dane County) has additional tenant protections including a 5% late-fee cap. Milwaukee has local tenant-protection programs. Always check local ordinances for Wisconsin properties in larger cities.

FAQ

Common Wisconsin landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Wisconsin?+
No statutory limit (must be 'reasonable'). Governed by Wis. Stat. § 704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06. Deposit must be returned within 21 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Wisconsin for non-payment of rent?+
5-day notice to pay or quit. Per Wis. Stat. § 704.17(2)(a). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Wisconsin?+
28 days. Per Wis. Stat. § 704.19(3). This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Wisconsin?+
No statewide cap (must be reasonable per ATCP 134); Madison: 5% of monthly rent. Per Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.09(8) (statewide); Madison Mun. Code § 32.09 (Madison only). Grace period: No statewide grace period. Milwaukee: some protections. Madison: de-facto 5-day standard.. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Wisconsin

Compare

See how Wisconsin stacks up

Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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