Neenah, WI asked in Landlord - Tenant for Wisconsin

Q: A family member living as a guest proclaimed she was going to stay a until invicted.

(evicted sorry didn't get much sleep to this drama) , but then she moved out all her stuff but a bed later that day and returned her key. Is she legally moved out? She never paid rent, no lease agreement or anything. Can I change the locks? she has invited numerous suspicious people into the home, some of whome have stayed for multiple days. And I've witnessed her smoking drugs and seen her with a handgun she had no permit for.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Jason Anthony Greller
Jason Anthony Greller
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Madison, WI
  • Licensed in Wisconsin

A: Sounds like the family member was a tenant at will - which is a tenancy that may be created by a party in possession of the property even if they don't pay rent. But it also sounds like the tenant terminated the tenancy when she moved out the property, turned in the keys and surrendered possession of the property. Given your concerns, it makes sense to change the locks.

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