A Wisconsin rental application is a document landlords, listing agents, and property owners use to screen applicants and gather essential information thoroughly before signing a lease.
Laws
- Application Fee – Refundable (if the application is withdrawn or rejected).
- Fee Limits – No maximum amount but a maximum of $20 for a background check (a copy of the background report must be shared with the tenant).
- Security Deposit – No limit on how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit.
Application Fee
- Earnest Money Deposit: The application fee in Wisconsin is called an earnest money deposit, and it’s refundable. There is no limit on how much a landlord can charge for an earnest money deposit. [1]
- The landlord must return the full earnest money deposit to the applicant if the landlord rejects the application, does not sign a lease agreement, or the applicant withdraws before the landlord accepts it. If the parties enter a rental agreement, the earnest money deposit must be returned to the applicant or applied as rent or security deposit.
- Credit Check Fee: Landlords can charge applicants their actual cost, up to $25, for a credit check fee. If the applicant can produce a consumer credit report under 30 days old, the landlord must accept it without charging a fee. [2]
Fair Housing Protections
Wisconsin law aims to allow equal housing opportunities for all tenants, regardless of their color, race, religion, disability, ancestry, age, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, victim status, family status, and lawful source of income. [3]
Landlords may not use the above factors to discriminate in the following ways:
- Refuse to rent.
- Impose different terms and conditions for a rental.
- Advertise in a way that shows discrimination.
- Make housing unavailable.
- Harass or evict tenants.
- Inaccurately represent housing availability.
- Threaten or coerce tenants to exercise their housing rights.
Security Deposit Limits
- Security Deposit: If the landlord decides to accept an applicant, they can ask for a security deposit. There is no limit to the security deposit a landlord can ask for
- Handling: The state doesn’t impose any requirements for the landlord in terms of storing the deposit or ensuring it accrues interest.
- Returns: The tenant must receive their security deposit back within 21 days of moving out. [4]
Pet Deposits
Wisconsin does not impose a limit on pet deposits, but the deposit cannot be non-refundable, per the Wisconsin Tenant Resource Center.
Sample
