A Wisconsin rental application form is valuable for landlords, listing agents, and property owners to screen applicants and gather essential information thoroughly. Using our template, you can ensure a comprehensive rental application and learn about important details regarding Wisconsin landlord and tenant law.
State Laws
Below you can find important information for tenants in Wisconsin, including details about application fees, credit check fees, security deposits, and pet deposits. For landlords, you can find resources on fair housing laws and the State Sex Offender Registry to assist in the tenant screening process.
For Tenants
Renters in Wisconsin should be aware of their rights. Some of the most essential points to keep in mind include the following:
- Application Fee: As per § 134.05, in Wisconsin, the application fee is also referred to as an earnest money deposit, and there is no limit to what landlords can charge. The landlord must return the full earnest money deposit to the applicant if the landlord rejects the application, does not enter into a rental agreement with the applicant, or the applicant withdraws the application 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: As per § 134.05 (4), landlords can charge applicants their actual cost, up to $20, 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.
- 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, per § 134.06.
- Pet Deposit: Wisconsin does not impose a limit on a pet deposit, but the deposit cannot be ‘non-refundable [1] .’
For Landlords
In addition, the Wisconsin Fair Housing Law prohibits landlords from discriminating based on these additional categories:
- The source of income as it relates to public assistance
- Marital status
- Information about ancestry
- The age of the applicant
- Information about whether the applicant is a prior victim of stalking, sexual assault, or domestic abuse [2]
Other Resources for Landlords
State Sex Offender Registry: Wisconsin landlords can access the State Sex Offender Registry to be aware of any registered sex offenders applying as tenants.
State Fair Housing Laws: Wisconsin landlords must adhere to the state’s Fair Housing laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, or source of income.
Sample
Use our sample Wisconsin rental application form below. You can download it in PDF or Word format.
