Wisconsin Landlord Entry Notice Law
Wisconsin landlords must give at least 12 hours' notice before entering a rented home.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Wisconsin landlord entry notice rules at a glance
| Notice before entry | 12 hours' noticeWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(2), Wis. Stat. § 704.05(2) |
|---|---|
| Conditions | At least 12 hours' advance notice and entry only at reasonable times, to inspect, repair or show the unit; shorter notice if the tenant consents; no notice if the tenant requests or consents to the entry, in a health or safety emergency, or if the tenant is absent and entry is reasonably necessary to protect the premises. Landlord must announce and identify himself or herself on entry.Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(2), Wis. Stat. § 704.05(2) |
What Wisconsin law says
How much notice must a Wisconsin landlord give before entering a rental?
A Wisconsin landlord must give at least 12 hours' advance notice and come at a reasonable time before entering to inspect, repair or show the unit, unless the tenant agrees to a shorter time or there is an emergency (Wis. Stat. § 704.05(2); Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(2)).
How Wisconsin compares
No other verified jurisdiction uses 12 hours; 27 require more.
None of Wisconsin's 4 neighbors follows the same rule.
Local rules in Wisconsin
Madison is reported to cap residential late fees at 5% of monthly rent by ordinance (not verified against the Madison General Ordinances); check local codes in Madison and Milwaukee.
Other Wisconsin rules
| Security deposit limit | No state capWis. Stat. § 704.28 (no amount limit), Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06 & Note (prepaid rent over one month treated as security deposit) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 21 days after the lease endsWis. Stat. § 704.28(4), Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06(2) |
| Late-fee cap | No state capWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8) |
| Rent-increase notice | No state ruleWis. Stat. § 704.19 (periodic-tenancy notice), Wis. Stat. § 704.44(1m)(a) (retaliatory rent-increase clauses void) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | 5 days (5-day notice to pay rent or vacate)Wis. Stat. § 704.17(1p)(a), (2)(a), (3)(a) |
| Month-to-month termination | 28 days (either side)Wis. Stat. § 704.19 |