Wisconsin Late Fee Law
No Wisconsin statute caps residential late fees or requires a grace period; the lease sets both.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Wisconsin late fee law at a glance
| Late-fee cap | No state capWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8) |
|---|---|
| Grace period | No state grace periodWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8) (no grace period) |
| Notice before filing for unpaid rent | 5 days (5-day notice to pay rent or vacate)Wis. Stat. § 704.17(1p)(a), (2)(a), (3)(a) |
What Wisconsin law says
Is there a limit on late fees in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin sets no numeric cap on late fees, but a landlord may charge one only as specifically provided in the rental agreement, must first apply any rent prepayment, and may not charge a fee for not paying a late fee (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8)).
Does Wisconsin require a grace period before a late fee?
Wisconsin law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the rental agreement controls (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8)) (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8) (no grace period)).
How much notice must a Wisconsin landlord give for unpaid rent?
For unpaid rent under a lease of one year or less or a periodic tenancy, give a written notice to pay or vacate at least 5 days later; a 14-day notice to vacate with no chance to pay is allowed for month-to-month tenants or after a repeat late payment within a year, and leases over one year need a 30-day notice (Wis. Stat. § 704.17) (Wis. Stat. § 704.17(1p)(a), (2)(a), (3)(a)).
How Wisconsin compares
31 of 51 verified jurisdictions set no statutory cap. 14 require a grace period.
Illinois and Michigan follow the same rule as Wisconsin; 2 of its 4 neighbors differ.
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) |
| Entry notice | 12 hours' noticeWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(2), Wis. Stat. § 704.05(2) |
| Rent-increase notice | No state ruleWis. Stat. § 704.19 (periodic-tenancy notice), Wis. Stat. § 704.44(1m)(a) (retaliatory rent-increase clauses void) |
| Month-to-month termination | 28 days (either side)Wis. Stat. § 704.19 |