Wisconsin Eviction Notice Forms

Last Updated: January 4, 2022 by Elizabeth Souza

A Wisconsin eviction notice form for non-compliance is a written document that states a tenant has 5 days to comply or to vacate the premises. Additionally, there are other notice forms for other grounds for eviction in Wisconsin.

Types of Eviction Notices

Each possible ground for eviction has its own notice type. Some notices allow the tenant to fix (“cure”) the issue and continue the tenancy, while others simply state an amount of time to vacate by.

Grounds Time Curable?
Non-Compliance 5/30-Day or 14-Day Maybe
Lease Termination 7/28-Day No
Imminent Harm 5-Day No
Illegal Activity 5-Day No

5/30-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate/14-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Compliance)

A tenant can be evicted in Wisconsin if they do not uphold their responsibilities under the terms of a written lease or rental agreement. In Wisconsin, this includes nonpayment of rent and material health and safety violations.

The amount of notice required depends on the length and type of tenancy.

If the tenant is week-to-week, month-to-month, or has a written lease for one year or less, a Wisconsin landlord can give the tenant 5 days’ written notice to correct the issue to avoid eviction.

For tenants with written leases longer than one year, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ written notice to correct the issue to avoid eviction.

Landlords also have the option of giving month-to-month tenants a 14 day written notice to move out, without giving them the option to correct the issue.

Typical lease violations under this category could include things like damaging the rental property, having too many people residing in the rental unit, and having a pet when there’s a no-pet policy.

Material health and safety violations can include letting trash pile up inside the rental unit, providing a harbor for rodents or bugs, or even things like damaging the electrical wiring in the rental unit.

Note that illegal activity is not included in this category.

The notice should include: 

  • The specific lease violation;
  • What the tenant can do to correct the issue (if allowed); and
  • How long the tenant has to correct the issue or move out of the rental unit.

If the tenant fails to correct the issue/remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Get the downloadable 5/14/30-Day Eviction Notice for Noncompliance form template below (.pdf direct link).

7/28-Day Lease Termination Notice (No Lease/End of Lease)

In the state of Wisconsin, if tenants “hold over,” or stay in the rental unit after the rental term has expired, then the landlord must give tenants notice before evicting them. This can include tenants without a written lease and week-to-week and month-to-month tenants.

Often this type of eviction applies to tenants who are at the end of their lease and the landlord doesn’t want to renew.

The amount of time required in the notice depends on the type of tenancy.

  • Week-to-Week – If rent is paid on a week-to-week basis, a landlord must provide the tenant with a 7-Day Notice to Quit.
  • Month-to-Month – If rent is paid on a month-to-month basis, landlords must give their tenants a 28-Day Notice to Quit.

The notice must include the date the lease will be terminated and the fact that the landlord intends to terminate the lease.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Get the downloadable 28-Day Lease Termination Notice form template below (.pdf direct link).

5-Day Notice to Quit (Imminent Harm)

If a tenant poses an imminent threat to another tenant (or another tenant’s child), and there’s a protection order or a condition of release prohibiting contact with another tenant, or a criminal complaint filed against the tenant, then the landlord must give that tenant a 5-day written eviction notice.

The eviction notice must include:

  • The reason for the eviction;
  • The date the tenancy will terminate; and
  • That the tenant has the right to dispute the eviction in court.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Get the downloadable 5-Day Eviction Notice for Imminent Harm form template below (.pdf direct link).

5-Day Notice to Quit (Illegal Activity)

Tenants who are involved in illegal activity must be given 5 days’ written notice before the landlord can proceed with an eviction action.

In Wisconsin, illegal activity includes:

  • Criminal activity;
  • Illegal drug activity;
  • Violent acts that affect the health and safety of the residents in the rental unit or the surrounding neighborhoods.

The eviction notice should include

  • The specific violation;
  • The date the violation occurred;
  • The identities and descriptions of those involved;
  • A statement that the tenant may seek help from legal counsel, a volunteer legal clinic or a tenant resource center; and
  • A statement that the tenant may contest the allegations in the eviction notice.

If the tenant remains on the rental property after notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Get the downloadable 5-Day Eviction Notice for Illegal Activity form template below (.pdf direct link).

What to Include in Wisconsin Eviction Notices

The information required on a Wisconsin eviction notice varies depending on the reason for the eviction and is addressed under each notice type below. However, for all notices, it’s a good idea to include:

  • The date the tenancy will terminate;
  • The reason for the eviction; and
  • The tenant’s name and contact information.

The landlord will also want to get the tenant’s signature confirming that they received the eviction notice, if the notice was hand delivered.

In addition, the landlord should keep the receipt number if the notice was delivered by registered or certified mail.

Delivering Eviction Notices in Wisconsin

In the state of Wisconsin landlords can deliver an eviction notice through one of the following methods:

  • Giving it to the tenant in person;
  • Leaving a copy with one of the tenant’s family members over the age of 14, OR an occupant of the rental unit if the tenant cannot be found;
  • Posting the notice in a conspicuous place at the rental unit AND mailing a copy via first class mail if the tenant cannot be found; or
  • Mailing a copy to the tenant’s last known address via registered or certified mail.

Eviction Process in Wisconsin

  1. An eviction notice is posted by the landlord to vacate or “cure” the issue.
  2. If uncured and tenant remains, the complaint is filed and served.
  3. A hearing is held and judgment issued.
  4. If an eviction is granted, a Writ of Restitution is posted at the property, giving final notice to the tenant to remove their belongings.
  5. Finally, the sheriff returns possession of the property to the landlord.

To learn more about the eviction process in Wisconsin, click here.

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