Housing (Tenant Rights) in Wisconsin

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1138: Relating to: procedures in eviction actions for noncompliance with stipulated judgments of dismissal. (FE)

This bill modifies court procedures for eviction cases where landlords and tenants agree to a dismissal agreement that includes conditions for compliance. It requires landlords to provide written notice to tenants before a court can cancel a dismissal agreement and reinstate an eviction if the tenant fails to meet the agreed terms. Additionally, the bill mandates that courts hold an evidentiary hearing before entering any unsatisfied portion of the agreement, ensuring both parties have a chance to present evidence. These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and judges handling eviction cases by adding procedural safeguards to the enforcement of dismissal agreements.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1165: 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, which would be appointed by the state supreme court and include at least five attorneys. The legislation guarantees that residential tenants facing eviction have the right to be represented by a state-appointed lawyer, unless they voluntarily give up that right. Landlords would be required to include a notice in their rental agreements and eviction notices informing tenants of this right and explaining how to request legal representation. The bill also establishes procedures for the board to manage attorney appointments, handle budget approvals, and enter into agreements with legal organizations to support the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations Courts Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1143: Relating to: utility charges related to residential rental agreements.

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.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1135: Relating to: the defense of waiver in eviction actions.

This bill would remove a specific legal provision that currently allows landlords to use a tenant's waiver of their right to a jury trial as a defense in eviction cases. By repealing this section of the statutes, the legislation would eliminate that particular defense strategy available to property owners. The change directly affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings where such waivers might have been signed. This policy adjustment aims to alter how eviction defenses are structured in court proceedings.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1107: 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 existing prohibition, the legislation would allow cities and counties to establish their own eviction pause policies if they choose to do so. The change directly affects local governments, landlords, and tenants by potentially opening the door for neighborhood-level eviction protections. The bill is currently in the early stages of review and has not yet been passed into law.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1133: Relating to: local regulation of landlords and tenants.

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.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1137: Relating to: evicting tenants for failure to pay rent.

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.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 1179: Relating to: a home repair program and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill establishes a home repair program that provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners and landlords for fixing habitability issues, improving energy efficiency, and making housing accessible for individuals with disabilities. The program offers grants of up to $25,000 to homeowners and interest-free loans of up to $25,000 to landlords who own no more than 15 affordable housing units. Eligibility is limited to individuals or landlords with incomes at or below 100 percent of the area median income, and assistance is restricted to homes built between 10 and 40 years ago. The state authority will administer the program, potentially contracting with counties or nonprofit organizations to distribute funds while maintaining oversight through reporting and audit requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1134: Relating to: information contained in the Consolidated Court Automation Programs Internet site related to dismissed eviction actions. (FE)

This bill would require the Wisconsin state courts to remove defendants' names from public eviction records when an eviction case is dismissed. It creates a new rule that mandates redaction of names from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Internet site for dismissed eviction actions, while keeping names visible for cases where eviction writs are granted for at least 10 years. The change applies to eviction cases dismissed on or after the bill's effective date. This legislation directly affects tenants involved in dismissed eviction proceedings and modifies how public court records are managed for those specific cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Tenant Rights

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1098: Relating to: local regulation of landlords and tenants.

This bill would allow local governments in Wisconsin to create rules governing how landlords and tenants handle lease renewals and property showings. It enables cities, villages, towns, and counties to require landlords to make good faith offers to renew leases unless there is a valid reason not to, and to set standards for determining what counts as valid reasons. The legislation also permits local ordinances to regulate when landlords can show properties to new tenants and to establish penalties for violations, including requiring relocation assistance for affected tenants. Additionally, the bill ensures that these local rules cannot be overridden by individual lease agreements.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

All housing bills