704.07(1)
(1)
Application of section. This section applies to any nonresidential tenancy if there is no contrary provision in writing signed by both parties and to all residential tenancies. An agreement to waive the requirements of this section in a residential tenancy is void. Nothing in this section is intended to affect rights and duties arising under other provisions of the statutes.
704.07(2)(a)(a) Except for repairs made necessary by the negligence of, or improper use of the premises by, the tenant, the landlord has a duty to do all of the following:
704.07(2)(a)1.
1. Keep in a reasonable state of repair portions of the premises over which the landlord maintains control.
704.07(2)(a)2.
2. Keep in a reasonable state of repair all equipment under the landlord's control necessary to supply services that the landlord has expressly or impliedly agreed to furnish to the tenant, such as heat, water, elevator, or air conditioning.
704.07(2)(a)4.
4. Except for residential premises subject to a local housing code, and except as provided in
sub. (3) (b), repair or replace any plumbing, electrical wiring, machinery, or equipment furnished with the premises and no longer in reasonable working condition.
704.07(2)(a)5.
5. For a residential tenancy, comply with any local housing code applicable to the premises.
704.07(2)(b)
(b) If the premises are part of a building, other parts of which are occupied by one or more other tenants, negligence or improper use by one tenant does not relieve the landlord from the landlord's duty as to the other tenants to make repairs as provided in
par. (a).
704.07(2)(c)
(c) If the premises are damaged by fire, water or other casualty, not the result of the negligence or intentional act of the landlord, this subsection is inapplicable and either
sub. (3) or
(4) governs.
704.07(3)(a)(a) If the premises are damaged by the negligence or improper use of the premises by the tenant, the tenant must repair the damage and restore the appearance of the premises by redecorating. However, the landlord may elect to undertake the repair or redecoration, and in such case the tenant must reimburse the landlord for the reasonable cost thereof; the cost to the landlord is presumed reasonable unless proved otherwise by the tenant.
704.07(3)(b)
(b) Except for residential premises subject to a local housing code, the tenant is also under a duty to keep plumbing, electrical wiring, machinery and equipment furnished with the premises in reasonable working order if repair can be made at cost which is minor in relation to the rent.
704.07(3)(c)
(c) A tenant in a residential tenancy shall comply with a local housing code applicable to the premises.
704.07(4)
(4) Untenantability. If the premises become untenantable because of damage by fire, water or other casualty or because of any condition hazardous to health, or if there is a substantial violation of
sub. (2) materially affecting the health or safety of the tenant, the tenant may remove from the premises unless the landlord proceeds promptly to repair or rebuild or eliminate the health hazard or the substantial violation of
sub. (2) materially affecting the health or safety of the tenant; or the tenant may remove if the inconvenience to the tenant by reason of the nature and period of repair, rebuilding or elimination would impose undue hardship on the tenant. If the tenant remains in possession, rent abates to the extent the tenant is deprived of the full normal use of the premises. This section does not authorize rent to be withheld in full, if the tenant remains in possession. If the tenant justifiably moves out under this subsection, the tenant is not liable for rent after the premises become untenantable and the landlord must repay any rent paid in advance apportioned to the period after the premises become untenantable. This subsection is inapplicable if the damage or condition is caused by negligence or improper use by the tenant.
704.07 Annotation
The remedy provided to the lessor by sub. (3) does not exclude diminution of market value as an alternative method of computing damages, and although the former is to be preferred where the property is easily repairable and the latter where the injury does not destroy the property, evidence of each method may be introduced by either party with the lesser amount awardable as the proper measure of damages. Laska v. Steinpreis,
69 Wis. 2d 307,
231 N.W.2d 196 (1975).
704.07 Annotation
A landlord must exercise ordinary care toward tenants and others on leased premises with permission. Pagelsdorf v. Safeco Insurance Co. of America,
91 Wis. 2d 734,
284 N.W.2d 55 (1979).
704.07 Annotation
Sub. (3) (a) requires a tenant to pay for damage that the tenant negligently causes to a landlord's property regardless of whether the landlord or landlord's insurer initially pays for the damage. Bennett v. West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.
200 Wis. 2d 313,
546 N.W.2d 204 (Ct. App. 1996),
95-2673.
704.07 Annotation
If there is no written lease, section 704.07 applies to the obligation to make repairs. For there to be a remedy for a breach of a duty to repair other than that provided in s. 704.07, the obligation must be in a written lease signed by both parties. Halverson v. River Falls Youth Hockey Association,
226 Wis. 2d 105,
593 N.W.2d 895 (Ct. App. 1999),
98-2445.
704.07 Annotation
Sub. (2) does not authorize an independent cause of action for defective conditions that do not rise to the level of a health or safety hazard, but are nonetheless the result of the failure of a landlord to maintain equipment in a reasonable state of repair. Sub. (4) is the exclusive remedy for violations of sub. (2). Zehner v. Village of Marshall, 2006 WI App 6,
288 Wis. 2d 660,
709 N.W.2d 64,
04-2789.
704.07 Annotation
Sub. (2) (a) 3. does not require the landlord to make all structural repairs, only all necessary structural repairs, and implies that the landlord will have some notice of the defect, latent or obvious, so that he or she can evaluate whether a repair is, in fact, a necessary repair. Raymaker v. American Family Mutual Insurance Co. 2006 WI App 117,
293 Wis. 2d 392,
718 N.W.2d 154,
05-1557.
704.07 Annotation
Nothing in the history of the section suggests any intent by the legislature to impose negligence per se for a violation of this section. Rather, the legislature intended only to alter the common law rule to make the landlord and tenant more evenly share the duties of repair. Sub. (4) provides the tenant with the remedy of rent abatement if the landlord fails to fulfill his or her repair duties and to the extent the tenant is deprived of use of the premises, but this section does not provide a private cause of action. Raymaker v. American Family Mutual Insurance Co. 2006 WI App 117,
293 Wis. 2d 392,
718 N.W.2d 154,
05-1557.
704.07 Annotation
An appliance that cannot be used as intended without creating a risk of fire or electrocution is not in reasonable working condition and constitutes a substantial violation materially affecting the health or safety of the tenant under sub. (4), entitling the tenant to rent abatement. Boelter v. Tschantz, 2010 WI App 18,
323 Wis. 2d 208,
779 N.W.2d 467,
09-1011.
704.07 Annotation
Landlord and tenant law — the implied warranty of habitability in residential leases. 58 MLR 191.
704.07 Annotation
Landlord no longer immune from tort liability for failure to exercise reasonable care in maintaining premises. 64 MLR 563 (1981).
704.09
704.09
Transferability; effect of assignment or transfer; remedies. 704.09(1)(1)
Transferability of interest of tenant or landlord. A tenant under a tenancy at will or any periodic tenancy less than year-to-year may not assign or sublease except with the agreement or consent of the landlord. The interest of any other tenant or the interest of any landlord may be transferred except as the lease expressly restricts power to transfer. A lease restriction on transfer is construed to apply only to voluntary transfer unless there is an express restriction on transfer by operation of law.
704.09(2)
(2) Effect of transfer on liability of transferor. In the absence of an express release or a contrary provision in the lease, transfer or consent to transfer does not relieve the transferring party of any contractual obligations under the lease, except in the special situation governed by
s. 704.25 (5).
704.09(3)
(3) Covenants which apply to transferee. All covenants and provisions in a lease which are not either expressly or by necessary implication personal to the original parties are enforceable by or against the successors in interest of any party to the lease. However, a successor in interest is liable in damages, or entitled to recover damages, only for a breach which occurs during the period when the successor holds his or her interest, unless the successor has by contract assumed greater liability; a personal representative may also recover damages for a breach for which the personal representative's decedent could have recovered.
704.09(4)
(4) Same procedural remedies. The remedies available between the original landlord and tenant are also available to or against any successor in interest to either party.
704.09(5)
(5) Consent as affecting subsequent transfers. If a lease restricts transfer, consent to a transfer or waiver of a breach of the restriction is not a consent or waiver as to any subsequent transfers.
704.09 History
History: 1971 c. 211 s.
126;
1993 a. 486.
704.11
704.11
Lien of landlord. Except as provided in
ss. 704.05 (5),
704.90 and
779.43 or by express agreement of the parties, the landlord has no right to a lien on the property of the tenant; the common-law right of a landlord to distrain for rent is abolished.
704.11 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
92 (9);
1987 a. 23 s.
2.
704.13
704.13
Acts of tenant not to affect rights of landlord. No act of a tenant in acknowledging as landlord a person other than the tenant's original landlord or the latter's successors in interest can prejudice the right of the original landlord or the original landlord's successors to possession of the premises.
704.13 History
History: 1993 a. 486.
704.15
704.15
Requirement that landlord notify tenant of automatic renewal clause. A provision in a lease of residential property that the lease shall be automatically renewed or extended for a specified period unless the tenant or either party gives notice to the contrary prior to the end of the lease is not enforceable against the tenant unless the lessor, at least 15 days but not more than 30 days prior to the time specified for the giving of such notice to the lessor, gives to the tenant written notice in the same manner as specified in
s. 704.21 calling the attention of the tenant to the existence of the provision in the lease for automatic renewal or extension.
704.15 History
History: 1993 a. 486.
704.16
704.16
Termination of tenancy for imminent threat of serious physical harm; changing locks. 704.16(1)
(1)
Terminating tenancy by tenant. A residential tenant may terminate his or her tenancy and remove from the premises if both of the following apply:
704.16(1)(a)
(a) The tenant or a child of the tenant faces an imminent threat of serious physical harm from another person if the tenant remains on the premises.
704.16(1)(b)
(b) The tenant provides the landlord with notice in the manner provided under
s. 704.21 and with a certified copy of any of the following:
704.16(1)(b)3.
3. An injunction order under
s. 813.125 (4) protecting the tenant or a child of the tenant from the person, based on the person's engaging in an act that would constitute sexual assault under
s. 940.225,
948.02, or
948.025, or stalking under
s. 940.32, or attempting or threatening to do the same.
704.16(1)(b)4.
4. A condition of release under
ch. 969 ordering the person not to contact the tenant.
704.16(1)(b)6.
6. A criminal complaint alleging that the person stalked the tenant or a child of the tenant under
s. 940.32.
704.16(1)(b)7.
7. A criminal complaint that was filed against the person as a result of the person being arrested for committing a domestic abuse offense against the tenant under
s. 968.075.
704.16(2)
(2) Not liable for rent. If a residential tenant removes from the premises because of a threat of serious physical harm to the tenant or to a child of the tenant from another person and provides the landlord with a certified copy specified under
sub. (1) and with notice that complies with
s. 704.21, the tenant shall not be liable for any rent after the end of the month following the month in which he or she provides the notice or removes from the premises, whichever is later. The tenant's liability for rent under this subsection is subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate damages as provided in
s. 704.29 (2).
704.16(3)
(3) Termination of tenancy by landlord. 704.16(3)(a)(a) In this subsection, "offending tenant" is a tenant whose tenancy is being terminated under this subsection.
704.16(3)(b)
(b) A landlord may terminate the tenancy of an offending tenant if all of the following apply:
704.16(3)(b)1.
1. The offending tenant commits one or more acts, including verbal threats, that cause another tenant, or a child of that other tenant, who occupies a dwelling unit in the same single-family rental unit, multiunit dwelling, or apartment complex as the offending tenant to face an imminent threat of serious physical harm from the offending tenant if the offending tenant remains on the premises.
704.16(3)(b)2.
2. The offending tenant is the named offender in any of the following:
704.16(3)(b)2.b.
b. An injunction order under
s. 813.122 protecting the child of the other tenant from the offending tenant.
704.16(3)(b)2.c.
c. An injunction order under
s. 813.125 (4) protecting the other tenant or the child of the other tenant from the offending tenant, based on the offending tenant's engaging in an act that would constitute sexual assault under
s. 940.225,
948.02, or
948.025, or stalking under
s. 940.32, or attempting or threatening to do the same.
704.16(3)(b)2.d.
d. A condition of release under
ch. 969 ordering the offending tenant not to contact the other tenant.
704.16(3)(b)2.e.
e. A criminal complaint alleging that the offending tenant sexually assaulted the other tenant or the child of the other tenant under
s. 940.225,
948.02, or
948.025.
704.16(3)(b)2.f.
f. A criminal complaint alleging that the offending tenant stalked the other tenant or the child of the other tenant under
s. 940.32.
704.16(3)(b)2.g.
g. A criminal complaint that was filed against the offending tenant as a result of the offending tenant being arrested for committing a domestic abuse offense against the other tenant under
s. 968.075.
704.16(3)(b)3.
3. The landlord gives the offending tenant written notice that complies with
s. 704.21 requiring the offending tenant to vacate on or before a date that is at least 5 days after the giving of the notice. The notice shall state the basis for its issuance and the right of the offending tenant to contest the termination of tenancy in an eviction action under
ch. 799. If the offending tenant contests the termination of tenancy, the tenancy may not be terminated without proof by the landlord by the greater preponderance of the credible evidence of the allegations against the offending tenant.
704.16(4)(a)(a) Subject to
pars. (b) and
(c), regardless of whether
sub. (1) applies, at the request of a residential tenant who provides the landlord with a certified copy of a document specified in
sub. (1) (b) 1. to
7., a landlord shall change the locks to the tenant's premises.
704.16(4)(b)
(b) A landlord shall have the locks changed, or may give the tenant permission to change the locks, within 48 hours after receiving a request and certified copy under
par. (a). The tenant shall be responsible for the cost of changing the locks. If the landlord gives the tenant permission to change the locks, within a reasonable time after any lock has been changed the tenant shall provide the landlord with a key for the changed lock.
704.16(4)(c)1.1. If the person who is the subject of the document provided to the landlord under
par. (a) is also a tenant of the specific premises for which the locks are requested to be changed, the landlord is not required to change the locks under this subsection unless the document provided by the tenant requesting that the locks be changed is any of the following:
704.16(4)(c)1.a.
a. A document specified in
sub. (1) (b) 1.,
2., or
3. that directs the tenant who is the subject of the document to avoid the residence of the tenant requesting that the locks be changed.
704.16(4)(c)1.b.
b. A document specified in
sub. (1) (b) 4. that orders the tenant who is the subject of the document not to contact the tenant requesting that the locks be changed.
704.16(4)(c)2.
2. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to relieve a tenant who is the subject of the document provided to the landlord under
par. (a) from any obligation under a rental agreement or any other liability to the landlord.
704.16(4)(d)
(d) A landlord is not liable for civil damages for any action taken to comply with this subsection.
704.16 History
History: 2007 a. 184;
2009 a. 117.
704.165
704.165
Termination of tenancy at death of tenant. 704.165(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), if a residential tenant dies, his or her tenancy is terminated on the earlier of the following:
704.165(1)(a)1.
1. Sixty days after the landlord receives notice, is advised, or otherwise becomes aware of the tenant's death.
704.165(1)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding
s. 704.19, in the case of the death of a residential periodic tenant or tenant at will, the tenancy is terminated 60 days after the landlord receives notice, is advised, or otherwise becomes aware of the tenant's death.
704.165(2)
(2) The deceased tenant or his or her estate is not liable for any rent after the termination of his or her tenancy. Any liability of the deceased tenant or his or her estate for rent under this subsection is subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate damages as provided in
s. 704.29 (2).
704.165(3)
(3) Nothing in this section relieves another adult tenant of the deceased tenant's premises from any obligation under a rental agreement or any other liability to the landlord.
704.165(4)
(4) A landlord under this section may not contact or communicate with a member of the deceased tenant's family for the purpose of obtaining from the family member rent for which the family member has no liability.
704.165 History
History: 2009 a. 323.
704.17
704.17
Notice terminating tenancies for failure to pay rent or other breach by tenant. 704.17(1)
(1)
Month-to-month and week-to-week tenancies. 704.17(1)(a)(a) If a month-to-month tenant or a week-to-week tenant fails to pay rent when due, the tenant's tenancy is terminated if the landlord gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to pay rent or vacate on or before a date at least 5 days after the giving of the notice and if the tenant fails to pay accordingly. A month-to-month tenancy is terminated if the landlord, while the tenant is in default in payment of rent, gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to vacate on or before a date at least 14 days after the giving of the notice.
704.17(1)(b)
(b) If a month-to-month tenant commits waste or a material violation of
s. 704.07 (3) or breaches any covenant or condition of the tenant's agreement, other than for payment of rent, the tenancy can be terminated if the landlord gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to vacate on or before a date at least 14 days after the giving of the notice.
704.17(1)(c)
(c) A property owner may terminate the tenancy of a week-to-week or month-to-month tenant if the property owner receives written notice from a law enforcement agency, as defined in
s. 165.83 (1) (b), or from the office of the district attorney, that a nuisance under
s. 823.113 (1) or
(1m) (b) exists in that tenant's rental unit or was caused by that tenant on the property owner's property and if the property owner gives the tenant written notice requiring the tenant to vacate on or before a date at least 5 days after the giving of the notice. The notice shall state the basis for its issuance and the right of the tenant to contest the termination of tenancy in an eviction action under
ch. 799. If the tenant contests the termination of tenancy, the tenancy may not be terminated without proof by the property owner by the greater preponderance of the credible evidence of the allegation in the notice from the law enforcement agency or the office of the district attorney that a nuisance under
s. 823.113 (1) or
(1m) (b) exists in that tenant's rental unit or was caused by that tenant.
