State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
Wisconsin Security Deposit Laws
Under Wisconsin Statutes § 704.28, Wisconsin landlords must return security deposits within 21 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld.
Quick Answer
In Wisconsin, landlords have 21 days to return your security deposit after you move out and provide a forwarding address. The maximum deposit is No statutory limit. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $10,000) and may recover Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld under Wisconsin Statutes § 704.28. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
Received deductions from your landlord?
Check if they violate Wisconsin law
What Wisconsin Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 21 days to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $10,000without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A generic complaint gets ignored. A letter citing Wisconsin Statutes § 704.28 deadlines and HUD depreciation schedules gets results. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $500-1,6005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Interior Paint
Typical: $200-8003-year useful life per HUD Handbook 4350.1. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
How It Works
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Each deduction checked against Wisconsin law and HUD guidelines
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Get a Demand Letter That Cites These Laws
Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against Wisconsin Statutes § 704.28 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
"After a 6-year lease they charged for paint and carpet. Both were completely worn out from age. Had my full deposit within a month."
— Northern Wisconsin
$19 to recover up to $1,150. That's a 60x return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Wisconsin landlord have to return my deposit?
Wisconsin landlords have 21 days to return your deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
What are Wisconsin's check-in/check-out requirements?
Wisconsin requires landlords to provide a check-in form within 7 days of move-in. Failing to do so weakens their deduction claims.
What penalties exist for Wisconsin landlords?
Wrongful withholding can result in up to 2x the deposit amount.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
How much can I recover in Wisconsin for a wrongful deposit withholding?
Wisconsin allows up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld plus court costs and attorney fees under Wis. Stat. § 704.28. Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $10,000. With typical Wisconsin deposits of $1,150, doubled recoveries plus fees can exceed $2,500.
City-Specific Rules
Some Wisconsin cities have additional tenant protections:
- Milwaukee: Additional tenant resources. Strong tenant advocacy.
- Madison: Tenant-friendly policies. Active legal aid resources.
Official Resources
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Consumer Protection(Government)
- Legal Action of Wisconsin(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how Wisconsin's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
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Average Wisconsin deposit: $1,150 · Based on Wisconsin Statutes § 704.28 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527