Security deposits in Wisconsin

One rule applies, with its citation below.

Research, not legal advice

These summaries are compiled from ordinance text and public sources and are dated at the point they were last checked. Rules change between checks — Newark replaced its whole registration regime in a single month — so confirm anything you are about to underwrite against the primary source or the municipal office named in the citation.

Security-deposit deductions are limited and the balance is due within 21 days

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Verified on 2026-09-05 — 26 days ago.

Wis. Stat. § 704.28 limits residential security-deposit withholding to the listed losses and agreed nonstandard provisions, bars withholding for normal wear and tear, and requires delivery or mailing of the remaining deposit within 21 days after the statutory trigger.

The trigger differs when a tenant leaves on time, leaves or is evicted early, or remains beyond termination. ATCP 134.06 separately governs the itemized statement and other residential deposit practices.

Return deadline: 21 days after the applicable § 704.28(4) trigger

In effect since 2014-03-01.

Sources

Wisconsin Stat. § 704.28 — withholding and return of security deposits — Wis. Stat. § 704.28
Wisconsin Admin. Code ch. ATCP 134 — residential rental practices — Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134.06
2013 Wisconsin Act 76 — current statutory deposit framework — 2013 Wis. Act 76, effective March 1, 2014

Every rule for Wisconsin