Living in a rented property in Wisconsin comes with rights and responsibilities for tenants and landlords. As a renter, it’s helpful to know Wisconsin landlords must follow state statutes when drafting and enforcing their leases. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 704, along with the Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter 134, regulate the rental laws. In this guide, we lay out the information you need to navigate your tenancy smoothly, from making sure your home is safe and habitable to understanding rent rules, security deposits, and eviction procedures.
Habitability
Landlords must provide tenants with a habitable living space, meaning the property must be safe, whether or not this is explicitly stated in the lease. This includes heating, hot water, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors. The landlord is responsible for the costs if any of these systems need replacement or repairs. A landlord is not required to provide kitchen appliances. However, if kitchen appliances are provided, it is the landlord’s responsibility to fix or replace these appliances as needed. Part of providing a habitable property also means that the property is mold-free. If mold is detected, the landlord is responsible for taking the proper actions to fix the problem.
To that end, tenants are responsible for complying with building and housing codes materially af ...
