Free Wisconsin Lease Agreement Template

A Wisconsin lease agreement is a written contract between a landlord and a tenant that sets the terms for renting a residential property in Wisconsin. It usually includes the parties’ names and addresses, the rental property address, the lease length, rent amount and due date, pet rules, and any required safety disclosures.

Landlords use a Wisconsin lease agreement xwhen renting out a house, apartment, condo, or room. Putting these terms in writing helps prevent misunderstandings and makes sure everyone understands their rights and responsibilities under Wisconsin law.

Wisconsin law gives landlords and tenants flexibility while still setting important guardrails. Key points include:

• Rent control: There is no statewide rent control. Cities, towns, villages, and counties are not allowed to adopt local rent control ordinances under WI Stat § 66.1015.
• Late fees: There is no statewide cap on late fees, but any late fee must appear in the written lease, as required by WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.09(8)(a).
• Grace period: Wisconsin law does not guarantee a grace period. Rent can be considered late as soon as it is past the due date in the lease.
• Landlord licensing: There is no statewide landlord license requirement, though some municipalities may require local registrations or inspections.
• Rental applications: Many landlords use rental applications and background checks to evaluate tenants before signing a lease.

Document Genius’s step-by-step questionnaire helps you reflect these rules in your Wisconsin lease agreement so your document stays clear and consistent.

Wisconsin landlords must share certain information with tenants before or when they sign a lease. Your Wisconsin lease agreement should cover:

• Lead-based paint disclosure: For homes built before 1978, federal law requires a lead-based paint disclosure and an EPA information pamphlet about lead hazards, under 42 U.S.C. § 4852d.
• Rental inspection checklist: Landlords must provide a move-in inspection checklist when the tenant takes possession. The tenant has seven days from move-in to complete it and report existing damage, as described in WI Stat § 704.08.
• Abandoned personal property notice: Wisconsin law explains how landlords may handle abandoned items and generally allows them to dispose of property under certain conditions, as described in WI Stat § 704.05(5)(a).
• Code violations: Landlords must disclose building code violations that could significantly affect the tenant’s health or safety, according to WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.04(2).
• Identification of landlord or agent: The lease must list the name and contact information of the landlord or any authorized manager who can accept notices and has access to the premises (WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.04(1)).
• Utility charges: If utilities are shared and not separately metered, the landlord must explain how charges are divided among units under WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.04(3).

Document Genius prompts you to include these disclosures so your Wisconsin lease agreement is more transparent and easier to enforce.

Wisconsin law sets clear rules for collecting and returning security deposits. Your Wisconsin lease agreement should match the following:

• Maximum amount: There is no statewide maximum security deposit limit. Landlords may choose a reasonable amount based on the property and risk.
• Receipts: Landlords must provide a written receipt for a security deposit unless the payment is made by check, as required by WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.03(2).
• Interest: Landlords are not required to pay interest on security deposits unless a local rule or the lease itself says otherwise.
• Holding the deposit: The law does not require a specific type of bank account, but many landlords choose a separate account and tell tenants which financial institution holds the funds.
• Return deadline: Landlords must return the deposit, minus any lawful deductions, within 21 days after the tenant moves out or a new tenancy begins, as explained in WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.06(2).
• Move-in inspection period: Tenants have at least seven days after the start of the rental agreement to inspect the unit, note existing damage, and request a list of prior deductions from the previous tenant’s deposit (WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.06(1)(a)).
• Withholding rules: If the landlord keeps part of the deposit, they must provide an itemized statement describing each damage or charge and the amount withheld, under WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.06(4)(a).

Document Genius helps you add these security deposit rules to your Wisconsin lease agreement so move-out is clear and less stressful.

Your Wisconsin lease agreement should explain how and when rent must be paid, and what happens if it is late.

• Rent due date: Wisconsin law allows landlords and tenants to choose a due date in the lease. Rent is commonly due at the start of each rental period.
• Rent control: State law bans local rent control, so no county, town, village, or city may impose their own rent caps (WI Stat § 66.1015).
• Late fees: Late fees are allowed, but they must be clearly disclosed in the written lease (WI Admin Code ATCP § 134.09(8)(a)).
• Grace period: Wisconsin does not require a grace period for rent. Landlords may issue a notice for nonpayment as soon as rent is overdue if the lease allows it.
• Withholding rent: Tenants may qualify for partial rent abatement if code violations or serious issues reduce the rental’s value. However, they generally cannot withhold the full rent while staying in the unit. These rules appear in WI Stat § 704.07(4).

Document Genius’s guided form helps you describe due dates, payment methods, late fees, and any grace period so tenants understand expectations from day one.

Wisconsin law allows landlords to enter a rental unit for certain reasons, but they must usually give advance notice and come at reasonable times.

• Notice requirements: Landlords may enter to inspect the unit, make repairs, or show the property to prospective tenants or buyers, as long as they give advance notice and visit at a reasonable time of day. Wisconsin law requires the landlord to give 12 hours notice of entry unless the tenant consents to a shorter time period (WI Admin Code ATCP 134.09(2)(a)1).
• Emergency entry: In an emergency, such as a fire, burst pipe, or serious safety risk, landlords may enter without notice if the tenant is not present.
• Locks and security: Under certain conditions, such as documented safety concerns or abuse situations, tenants may request lock changes. The rules for some lock-change requests appear in WI Stat § 704.16(4).

Document Genius lets you clearly outline entry rules in your Wisconsin lease agreement so both sides know what to expect.

Both landlords and tenants have responsibilities for maintaining the rental and preventing damage.

• Landlord responsibilities: Under WI Stat § 704.05(2), landlords may enter to inspect the premises, make necessary repairs, and show the unit to prospective buyers or tenants. They are also responsible for keeping the property in a condition that meets local housing and safety standards.
• Tenant responsibilities: Tenants may not make structural changes, remove fixtures, or significantly alter the property without the landlord’s consent, as explained in WI Stat § 704.05(3). They should also use utilities safely and report serious problems promptly.
• Non-compliance and abandonment: If a tenant’s neglect or lease violation seriously damages the property or creates hazards, the landlord may serve a five-day notice to quit for noncompliance under WI Stat § 704.17(2)(b).

Document Genius helps you spell out repair and maintenance duties in your Wisconsin lease agreement so everyone understands how to care for the rental.

Wisconsin sets rules for ending a tenancy and handling any belongings left behind.

• Month-to-month tenancy: Either party may end a month-to-month lease by giving at least 28 days’ written notice, as required by WI Stat § 704.19(3).
• End of a fixed-term lease: A fixed-term lease usually ends automatically on its expiration date, unless the lease includes a renewal clause or the parties agree to continue on a periodic basis.
• Unclaimed property: If a tenant leaves personal property behind, the landlord may dispose of most items as they see fit, subject to the limits in WI Stat § 704.05(5)(am). Medical equipment must typically be stored for at least seven days before disposal.
• City-specific rules: Some cities, such as Milwaukee, may have extra rental housing standards, inspections, or notice rules. Landlords and tenants should always review local ordinances in addition to state law.

When you create a Wisconsin lease agreement with Document Genius, you can include clear notice periods and move-out terms so the end of the tenancy is more predictable for both sides.