This bill proposes to amend the legal definition of a "tenant at will" in the state's statutes. It would clarify that a tenant at will is someone who occupies a property with the landlord's permission but does not have a valid lease and does not make periodic rent payments. The bill also specifies that individuals holding property under a purchase contract or employment agreement are excluded from this definition. This change would affect how landlords and tenants are classified in housing situations without formal leases.
This bill amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify and expand protections against housing discrimination based on various characteristics including sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital and family status, victim status of domestic abuse or stalking, lawful source of income, receipt of rental assistance, age, and ancestry. It explicitly extends state anti-discrimination laws to cover owner-occupied single-family residences, requiring local governments to assist in preventing discrimination in housing sales and rentals. The bill also defines key terms such as "rental or housing assistance" and "small landlord" to ensure consistent application of these protections across different housing situations.
This bill requires landlords and utility providers to give tenants clear information about utility charges in residential rental agreements. It mandates that landlords disclose whether utilities are included in rent before a lease begins and explains how any separate utility costs will be calculated and allocated. The law also establishes a process for tenants to request detailed accounting of variable utility charges within 14 days and prohibits landlords from charging separate fees for processing utility payments. Additionally, the bill requires public utilities and housing cooperatives to provide tenants with copies of property utility charges upon request.
This bill modifies Wisconsin's residential tenancy laws to strengthen protections for tenants facing unsafe living conditions and retaliatory actions by landlords. It requires landlords to provide a rent abatement schedule when repairs for health or safety issues cause tenants to lose full use of their homes, while also clarifying that tenants cannot withhold all rent if they stay in the property. The legislation creates a legal presumption that certain landlord actions, such as rent increases or lease nonrenewals, are retaliatory if they occur within 12 months of a tenant exercising their rights. Additionally, it grants the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection the authority to establish specific rules for calculating rent reductions based on various conditions.
This bill would allow Wisconsin local governments to create rules requiring landlords to offer tenants a good faith renewal of their leases unless there is a valid reason not to do so. It also permits municipalities to set standards for lease renewals, limit when landlords can show properties to new tenants, and establish penalties for violations that could include relocation assistance. The bill would make these local rules mandatory and prevent landlords from waiving them in lease agreements. However, the bill failed to pass in the Senate on March 23, 2026, so it is not currently in effect.
This bill modifies Iowa's eviction laws to clarify the notice requirements landlords must follow when evicting tenants for nonpayment of rent. It establishes specific timelines for notice periods, requiring at least 30 days for month-to-month and weekly tenants, and 14 days for annual or shorter-term leases when a tenant is already in default. The legislation also prevents courts from dismissing eviction cases solely because a landlord accepts rent after serving a notice of default, provided the tenant pays all past due amounts before a judgment is entered. These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and housing courts by standardizing procedures for handling rent arrears and eviction proceedings.
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.
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.
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.
