Rights of Tenants in Wisconsin
Tenants in Wisconsin have certain rights regarding appropriate living conditions and privacy. While landlords have a right to evict a tenant under certain circumstances, they must follow proper procedures in order to do so. Any tenant who feels as if a landlord has broken the law may file a complaint or press charges.
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Right To Know
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Landlords in Wisconsin must make tenants aware of any hazards in the rental unit or building. A tenant in Wisconsin has the right to know the condition of any building she is moving into, including any known housing code violations, structural defects or other hazards. A tenant must also be informed if she needs to pay for utilities before renting.
Deposit
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Landlords may not charge new tenants for damages that already exist within the rental unit. A Wisconsin tenant has a right to protect his security deposit from unfair and illegal deductions. A tenant may make a list of all damages to the rental unit within seven days of signing the lease. He may also request a list of all the damages that the previous tenant was charged for, to make sure he was not charged for them as well.
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Late Rent
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Tenants have a minimum of five days to pay any rent that is past due. While not paying your rent in Wisconsin can lead to an eviction, tenants do have the right to a grace period before being evicted. Landlords must issue a minimum five day notice to month-to-month renters before evicting them. If a tenant can pay the rent within five days of the notice, she may not be evicted.
Landlord Limitations
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Only a sheriff may remove a tenant from a rental unit. Under Wisconsin law, landlords do not have the right to remove a tenant's personal belongings from a rental unit, change the locks, turn off any utilities or physically remove the tenant, regardless of whether or not he has a legal right to occupy the unit. Only the county sheriff may physically remove a tenant from a rental unit.
Privacy
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Landlords must give at least 12 hours notice before entering a tenant's rental unit. Wisconsin law prohibits landlords from entering a tenant's rental unit without providing at least 12 hours notice, or in the case of an emergency. A tenant may file a complaint against a landlord for illegal entry, or for any other reason, with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
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References
Resources
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