Generally a landlord is not liable for noise caused by a tenant unless the complaining party is another tenant in the same complex who is being denied quite enjoyment of their unit. Otherwise, noise complaints are properly directed to local law enforcement.

A tenant may choose to break the lease. The landlord is then under a duty to mitigate damages - essentially to try to re-rent the unit. The tenant may then be held liable for the months in which no rent was collected from the tenant or the new tenant, the difference between the new tenant's... View More

Once your lease is up you are supposed to leave but if you do not, then you become a holdover tenant. Normally a landlord could seek to evict you but this is a very unusual moment in time. At present, it would be difficult or impossible for a landlord to evict a tenant. For instance, in Dane... View More

Assuming the term of your lease is ending, then the landlord may change the terms in the new lease including increasing the amount of the security deposit, increasing monthly rent or both.

If the sprinkler was activated due to a tenant's or a guest of tenant's negligence, then the tenant may be responsible for the damage to the property. If the sprinkler malfunctioned then the landlord may be solely responsible. Generally, these systems are inspected by local fire... View More

It is not discriminatory in Wisconsin for a landlord to refuse to rent to an applicant based on factors that are not protected under federal, state or municipal law, even if the applicant is a member of a protected class. If the judgement is a vacated criminal conviction then the landlord may be... View More

Wis. Admin Code § ATCP 134.06(3)(c) states that a landlord cannot withhold from a tenant's security deposit for normal "wear & tear." Unfortunately, "wear and tear" has never been defined. I note the deduction of $950 for not being "move in ready." That... View More

Yes. If they are a month-to-month tenant, §704.17, Wis. Stats., allows you to give either a 5-day or 14-day notice for failure to rent. If they are under a lease for one year or less, §704.17(2), Wis. Stats., allows you to give them a 5-day notice to pay or vacate. No prohibition against... View More

There is no statute, regulation or Wisconsin case that prevents a landlord from charging a tenant a late fee for failure to pay rent on time.

A landlord can only charge a late fee if it is specifically authorized in the rental agreement. See Wis Admin Code § ATCP 134.09(8).

When Company B acquired Company A your lease was also acquired and transferred to Company B whether you were told or not. so, regarding the issue of you breaking the lease and leaving early, you lose. Written contracts are written for a reason. And they are not easy to get out of.

Landlord-tenant relations in Wisconsin are regulated by Wis. Stat. ch. 704, and Wis. Adm. Code ch. ATCP 134.

Utility charges (ATCP 134.04(3))

Landlords often require tenants to pay the utility

charges separate from the rent. Before deciding

to rent a specific unit,... View More

The departing tenant seems to equate use of the premises and utilities with responsibility for payment but a party's liability is based on their contractual agreement to be bound by the terms of the lease regardless of use. If the lease requires the tenants to be responsible for utilities then... View More

Landlord is jumping the gun in terminating the tenancy. See Section 704.165. Disposing of property depends on the lease agreement and whether the landlord gave notice to tenant at the signing of the lease of the intent to dispose of abandoned property. Generally the Landlord should grant next of... View More

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... View More

If you have a written lease for a term you may certainly stay through the term of the lease. If you are on a month to month lease, then the landlord may terminate the tenancy with 28 days of notice before the start of the next rental period. So if your month to month tenancy starts on the first of... View More

A landlord can only charge a late fee if it is specifically authorized in the rental agreement. There is no statute, regulation or Wisconsin case that addresses the maximum amount that can be charged for a late fee. Some courts disfavor the use of a daily late fee and have found them to be... View More

Yes. A landlord on a residential lease in Wisconsin has a duty to ensure that the premises has adequate heating. If the system needs to be repaired it is also the landlord's duty maintain and repair the system.

See:

704.07  Repairs; untenantability.

(1) ... View More

Yes, you would have to serve the notice on June 2nd. There is no restriction on the 28th day falling on a Sunday.

Section 704.19 Wis Stats outlines the rules relating to 28 day notices terminating periodic tenancies.

Please make note of the provisions of Section 704.19 (7) which... View More

The answer to any lease question often depends on the terms of the specific lease. Generally, tenants are entitled to possession of the premises and the right to "quiet enjoyment" of the premises. Generally, landlords retain the right to enter the premises upon notice and that may... View More

Both are true. Landlords cannot deduct this cost from security deposits and may seek to recover the costs through billing or an action to recover the cost.

Under Wis Admin Code ATCP 134.06(3)(c) landlords cannot withhold from a tenant's security deposit for normal "wear &... View More