Landlord-Tenant Law Part 1: Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords

In a college town like La Crosse, Wis., it’s no surprise that one of every two residents lives in a rental property. If you’re one of those renters or landlords—or you’re getting ready to help your own son or daughter find a place to rent this fall—it’s important to understand your basic rights and responsibilities.

In this two-part series, we look first at what landlords need to know.  In part 2, we look at what tenants need to know.  Keep in mind that while the specifics will vary with individual leases, Wisconsin requires these basics.


For Landlords

• You have the right to receive rent in full and on time according to the specifics of your lease agreement.

• You have the right to inspect the property on 12 hours’ notice. It’s always best to provide notice in writing.

• You have the right to enter the property without notice in an emergency, such as flooding or a gas leak.

• You have the right to a tenant who does not destroy or abuse the property such that its value is diminished.

• You have a right to evict the tenant if they are using the property for illicit purposes, e.g., dealing drugs.

• When the tenancy ends, you have the right to get your keys back or charge the tenant for costs to rekey the property.

• You are entitled to request a security deposit, usually equal to one month’s rent. If you must rekey a lock or conduct repairs beyond normal wear and tear, you may deduct those fees from the deposit. It’s best to keep a written record of such expenses.

• If damages exceed the amount provided by a security deposit, you have the right to file a lawsuit to collect the balance.

• In cases where renters violate the terms of a lease agreement (e.g., failure to pay, property damage, etc.), you may end the tenancy. For month-to-month renters, you can provide a five-day notice, giving the renter five days to cure the violation before requiring them to vacate. Alternatively, you may provide a 14-day notice that offers no option to maintain the tenancy but instead alerts tenants that the agreement has ended and they have two weeks to vacate. The notice rule is different for yearly tenants.

• If tenants do not move out by the appointed deadline, you may pursue eviction proceedings in small claims court.

Generally speaking, reputable landlords will use written leases to spell out rules and general principles that will apply during the term of the lease. Leases work best when used in conjunction with a lead paint disclosure form, if appropriate, check-in/out lists and a security deposit sheet. Written records tend to be far more accurate than memory and are generally deemed more reliable by courts. Given the ease of use of digital cameras, often landlords and tenants both will take photos of the property before and after the tenancy.

Landlord-tenant law can be very complex. Should you, as a tenant or landlord, encounter a dispute regarding a rental property or lease, your best bet is to consult a real estate attorney experienced in rental property issues.

For both tenants and landlords, the city of La Crosse offers a Residential Rental Inspection Pamphlet that outlines rights and responsibilities for both parties. It can also provide basic guidelines for renting elsewhere in Wisconsin.

For more information on landlord-tenant law in Wisconsin, contact Joe Veenstra at 608-784-5678.