Housing (Tenant Rights)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 25, 2026

AB 1120: Relating to: repealing the prohibition against local governments enacting or enforcing an eviction moratorium on a landlord. (FE)

This bill would remove a state law that currently prevents local governments from creating or enforcing eviction moratoriums, which are rules that temporarily stop landlords from evicting tenants. By repealing the specific statute that bans these local measures, the legislation would allow cities and counties to decide on their own whether to pause evictions within their jurisdictions. The change directly affects local governments, landlords, and tenants by potentially expanding the ability of communities to implement temporary eviction protections. This is a procedural change that alters existing legal restrictions rather than creating new substantive requirements for housing or eviction processes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes state prohibition on local eviction moratoriums, allowing cities to protect tenants from displacement, directly supporting tenant rights and housing stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1195: Relating to: creating an Office of Civil Legal Aid to be overseen by a Civil Legal Aid Board, providing a right to the appointment of counsel at state expense for residential tenants in eviction actions, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill creates a new Office of Civil Legal Aid overseen by a nine-member Civil Legal Aid Board to provide legal representation for residential tenants facing eviction. The legislation establishes a right to appointed counsel at state expense for tenants in eviction actions, requiring landlords to include notices about this right in rental agreements and eviction notices. A nine-member board, appointed by the state supreme court with at least five being licensed attorneys, would oversee program operations, manage budgets, and appoint lawyers to represent tenants who request assistance. The bill also authorizes funding for the office and sets up procedures for tenants to request appointed counsel by appearing in court or contacting the clerk before the eviction hearing date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for civil legal aid in eviction cases, directly increasing government spending on essential public services and tenant protections.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes right to appointed counsel for tenants facing eviction, directly protecting tenant rights and strengthening housing protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1057: Relating to: access to prospective tenants’ credit scores and consumer credit reports.

SB 1057 limits landlords' ability to use credit reports when screening tenants. It caps fees for credit checks at $25 (with prior notice) and requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the report. Crucially, it prohibits landlords from demanding access to a tenant's credit score or report, instead mandating that landlords offer an alternative screening method if a tenant declines to share this information. The bill directly affects landlords and prospective tenants in housing applications, shifting the process to prioritize tenant choice while maintaining screening options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts landlord credit check access, mandates alternatives for tenants declining, caps fees - strengthens tenant protections against credit-based discrimination85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1058: Relating to: access to prospective tenants’ credit scores and consumer credit reports.

AB 1058 limits landlords' ability to screen tenants using credit information. It prohibits landlords from requiring prospective tenants to grant access to their credit scores or credit reports, and mandates that landlords inform tenants of this right to decline. If a tenant declines, landlords must provide an alternative method to assess their ability to pay rent. The bill also caps tenant screening fees at $25 for credit reports and requires landlords to disclose charges before requesting reports. This directly affects renters seeking housing and landlords conducting tenant screenings in the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits credit-based tenant screening, mandates alternative assessments, and caps fees - protects tenants from discriminatory barriers to housing access.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts landlords' access to tenant credit data, enhancing data privacy protections per topic description's indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1063: Relating to: prohibiting landlords from charging application fees and credit checks and background checks obtained by landlords.

SB 1063 prohibits landlords from charging prospective tenants application fees for reviewing rental applications. It also limits credit and background check fees to $25 per report, requires landlords to provide copies of these reports within 7 business days if charged, and allows tenants to submit their own recent (under 6 months) credit or background reports to avoid paying. The bill directly affects landlords and prospective renters in rental housing applications. It takes effect for applications submitted on its effective date, which is three months after publication.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits application fees and caps credit/background check fees at $25, allowing tenants to submit their own reports. This reduces financial barriers for renters, strengthening tenant protections and advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1064: Relating to: prohibiting landlords from charging application fees and credit checks and background checks obtained by landlords.

AB 1064 prohibits landlords from charging prospective tenants application fees or requiring tenants to pay for credit or background checks. Landlords may charge up to $25 for these reports but must provide a copy within 7 business days. Tenants can avoid these fees by providing their own recent credit report (less than 30 days old) or background check (less than 6 months old) before the landlord requests one. The bill takes effect 3 months after publication.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees and shifts credit check costs to landlords, reducing tenant financial barriers and strengthening tenant protections in housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1057: Relating to: reporting positive rental payment information to credit bureaus.

AB 1057 requires landlords to offer residential tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must provide this opt-in offer at lease signing and annually thereafter, with tenants able to accept or decline without penalty. Landlords may charge up to $10 monthly (or actual cost) for this service but cannot report payment of the fee as rent or use it to evict tenants. Tenants can stop reporting at any time but must wait six months to restart the reporting. The bill specifically covers only positive payment history (timely rent), not late payments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables tenants to build credit via rent reporting, strengthening tenant financial stability and rights without penalties or restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1076: Relating to: rent abatement and retaliatory conduct and granting rule-making authority.

This bill creates clear rules for rent reductions when rental properties have health or safety hazards, requiring the state agency to establish a standardized schedule for how much rent can be reduced based on specific issues. It also strengthens tenant protections by making it illegal for landlords to retaliate - such as by raising rent, cutting services, or threatening eviction - after a tenant legally requests repairs or rent abatement within the past year. The law specifies that landlords cannot use these actions to punish tenants for exercising rights under the new rules. These changes apply to all residential rental properties in the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates standardized rent reductions for health/safety hazards and bans landlord retaliation, strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1058: Relating to: reporting positive rental payment information to credit bureaus.

SB 1058 requires landlords to offer tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must provide written offers (via mail or email) to all tenants by July 1, 2026, detailing the option, any fee (capped at $10/month or actual cost), and how to accept or opt out. Tenants may accept the offer at any time, but must wait six months to restart reporting after opting out. Landlords cannot charge fees for reporting, deduct fees from security deposits, or treat non-payment of the optional fee as lease breach. The bill directly affects renters seeking to build credit and landlords managing reporting systems.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables tenants to build credit via on-time rent payments, strengthening tenant financial standing and access to housing90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 7, 2026

AB 916: Relating to: a home repair program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 916 creates a state-funded home repair program to address habitability issues and improve energy efficiency in affordable housing. It provides grants of up to $25,000 per unit to eligible homeowners (income ≤100% of area median income who own or occupy their homes) and interest-free loans of up to $25,000 to eligible landlords (owning ≤5 properties/15 units of affordable housing). The program prioritizes repairs for homes with health/safety hazards, energy efficiency upgrades, and accessibility improvements for individuals with disabilities or young children. Properties must be between 10 and 40 years old to qualify, and funds are administered by the state authority or contracted counties/nonprofits with strict reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes specific appropriation for state-funded home repair program targeting affordable housing, directly funding essential public services per budget & taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill prioritizes energy efficiency upgrades in affordable housing via state-funded grants and loans, directly advancing energy efficiency standards in residential infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides state-funded grants/loans for home repairs in affordable housing, prioritizing health/safety hazards and energy efficiency for low-income owners/landlords, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Homeownership Tenant Rights

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