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.
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.
SB 1080 removes state-imposed limits on how cities and counties can regulate short-term rentals (like Airbnb) of residential properties. It repeals specific sections of law that previously restricted local governments from setting their own rules about the number of days a residential dwelling can be rented out annually. This change directly affects local governments (cities, towns, counties), property owners who rent short-term, and renters by allowing communities to develop their own regulatory frameworks without state caps. The bill focuses on updating statutory language to eliminate existing restrictions, not creating new programs or financial impacts.
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.
SB 1029 repeals Section 66.0104 of the statutes, which previously allowed local governments to regulate landlords. This bill directly affects cities and counties that had authority under this statute to create local rules for rental housing. The key provision is the removal of this specific legal authority, meaning local governments would no longer be able to enact ordinances under this section. The bill does not create new regulations but eliminates an existing framework for local landlord oversight.
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.
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.
SB 848 allows the City of Milwaukee to install utility lines (water, gas, sewer, or heat) connecting to homes without the property owner's permission under specific conditions. It applies to properties owned by non-residents where the city has made at least three reasonable contact attempts and has permission from a tenant. The bill explicitly prohibits the city from charging property owners for these installations, shifting costs away from residents. This change affects Milwaukee properties with absentee owners and tenants who consent to the work, streamlining utility infrastructure updates.
AB 142 prohibits landlords and software providers from using algorithmic software to set rents or occupancy rates based on private competitor data (like unpublicized rent or occupancy details). It directly affects residential landlords, property management companies, and software vendors selling such tools. The bill bans both selling/licensing the software and using it for rent decisions, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per rental unit. Tenants may also sue for damages or injunctive relief, while exemptions cover aggregated rental data publications and affordable housing tools.
SB 327 ensures landlords cannot deny housing to tenants with emotional support animals based solely on the animal's presence. It requires tenants to provide a letter or prescription from a healthcare provider to verify their need for the animal. The bill also establishes penalties for individuals who falsely claim their pet is a service animal to gain housing access. This directly affects landlords, tenants, and housing providers across the state.
