Key Takeaways
- Lease or rental agreements outline key transaction elements when leasing your property.
- These contracts vary depending on the type of lease, its duration, and the property involved, each with its legal implications.
- Predefined templates provide structured formats catering to your leasing situation, eliminating the need for extensive modifications.
- Selecting a template that aligns with your state’s laws ensures clarity and legal safeguards for landlords and tenants in that jurisdiction.
- PandaDoc provides clarity and legal protection by offering complimentary Wisconsin Lease Agreement Templates for crafting detailed contracts.
Wisconsin Lease Agreement Templates
Residential Lease Agreement
Residential Rental Agreement
Used 5,261 times
Save time and resources by using this customizable residential rental agreement to create legally binding contracts with your tenants. It includes detailed sections about all aspects of a typical tenancy, including terms, responsibilities, rent, duration, insurance, maintenance, and more.
This agreement outlines the terms and conditions for renting residential properties in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Apartment Lease
Specifically designed for apartment rentals in Wisconsin, this lease agreement covers essential details such as rent, utilities, and lease duration.
Wisconsin Room Rental
Tailored for renting out individual rooms within a property, this template helps landlords and tenants establish clear guidelines for shared living spaces.
Wisconsin Month-to-Month Lease
Offering flexibility without the long-term commitment, this lease agreement allows for short-term rental arrangements in Wisconsin, providing both landlords and tenants with the freedom to adjust rental terms as needed.
Commercial Lease Agreement
Crafted for leasing commercial properties in Wisconsin, this agreement addresses key aspects such as lease terms, rent adjustments, and property use restrictions.
Lease to Purchase Agreement
Providing a structured framework for lease-to-own arrangements, this agreement offers tenants in Wisconsin the option to purchase the property in the future.
Sublease Agreement
Facilitating subleasing arrangements, this agreement ensures clarity and professionalism between the original tenant and the subtenant.
Understanding Wisconsin Rental Laws
In Wisconsin, any verbal or written contract that involves a property rental transaction is considered a lease. According to Wisconsin laws (Chapter 704 – Landlord and Tenant, Chapter 799 – Procedure in Small Claims Actions, Chapter ATCP 134 – Residential Rental Practices, and Chapter 66 – General Municipality Law), tenants are granted specific rights under such agreements, including the right to live in a habitable property and pursue specific alternative actions. Simultaneously, landlords are entitled to receive rent and seek compensation for any damage costs that go beyond ordinary wear and tear.
| Laws | Name | Description |
| § 704.02 | Severability of rental agreement provisions | It encompasses fundamental components like the proposal and agreement, the exchange of value, and the ability of the involved parties to form contracts. |
| § 704.07 | Repairs; untenantability | It discusses the unspoken guarantee of livability and details the tenant’s privilege to fix and subtract under specific conditions. |
| § 134.06 | Security deposits | It governs security deposit accumulation, management, and reimbursement, encompassing the maximum permissible amounts and detailed deductions. |
| § 704.19 | Notice necessary to terminate periodic tenancies and tenancies at will | It sets the notification prerequisites for landlords and tenants to end lease agreements. |
| § 799.40 | Eviction actions | It delineates the lawful eviction procedures, encompassing the methods for delivering notices and initiating actions for unlawful possession. |
| § 704.05 | Rights and duties of landlord and tenant in absence of written agreement to contrary | It details the circumstances in which landlords can access rental properties, safeguarding tenants’ privacy rights. |
| § 66.1015 | Municipal rent control, inclusionary zoning, prohibited | It includes extra rules concerning rent augmentation and evictions in areas with rent control laws. |
| § 66.1014 | Limits on residential dwelling rental prohibited | It pertains to residential units where a death has taken place, necessitating the revelation to potential tenants. |
Security Deposit Limits
In Wisconsin, landlords and tenants must comprehend the state’s security deposit legislation.
- Limit: Landlords can request a security deposit equivalent to a maximum of one (1) month’s rent.
- Interest: Landlords must furnish a written declaration of the deposit’s interest rate.
- Return: Landlords have a 21-day window to return the deposit or supply an itemized deduction list.
- Deductions: Deductions can be applied for outstanding rent, damages, or unsettled utility bills.
- Disputes: In case of a disagreement, tenants have the right to seek legal recourse in a small claims court.
For a seamless process, landlords should maintain transparent documentation. At the same time, tenants should record the property’s condition when moving in and report any issues without delay.
Eviction Procedures
- Rent Payment Failure: If rent is unpaid for fixed-term tenancies, landlords can issue a five (5) day pay or vacate notice. If such a notice has been issued within a year, a 14-day vacate notice can be given, disallowing rent payment and requiring tenant relocation within the timeframe to avoid eviction.
- Lease Violations: Landlords can issue a five (5) day remedy or vacate notice for serious lease breaches or significant property damage. If such a notice has been issued within a year, a 14-day vacate notice can be given, disallowing violation rectification and requiring tenant relocation within the period to avoid eviction.
- Drug or Gang-Related Activity: If a tenant engages in drug or gang-related activities and law enforcement informs the landlord, a five (5) day vacate notice can be issued. The tenant must relocate within five (5) days to avoid eviction.
Right to Enter (Landlord)
Legal Grounds for Entry:
- Property Inspections
- Maintenance Tasks
- Property Showings
- Emergency Situations
Notice Requirement:
- Typically, a Written Notice (12) Hours in Advance
- No Notice Required for Emergencies
Penalties for Unauthorized Entry:
- Court-Ordered Restraining Order
- Double the Cost of Damages
- Recovery of Legal Expenses
- Rent Withholding (in extreme cases)
- Lease Termination (in extreme cases)
Disclosures
- Landlord’s Identity and Location – All Units
- Utilities – Units Excluding Utilities
- Shared Utilities – Units with Common Utility Meters
- Check-In Process – All Units
- Pre-Existing Damages – All Units Collecting a Security Deposit
- Domestic Abuse Protections – All Units
- Nonstandard Lease Terms – Leases Containing Nonstandard Provisions
- Code Violations – Units with Unresolved Code Violations
- Lead Paint – All Units Constructed Prior to 1978
Optional Disclosures
- Asbestos
- Bed Bugs
- Late/Returned Check Fees
- Medical Marijuana Use
- Mold Disclosure
- Non-Refundable Fees
- Smoking
