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WISCONSIN SECURITY DEPOSITS
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The Wisconsin Security
Deposit is defined "all of the
money" a tenant pays to a landlord before
signing a lease, including any prepaid rent above
one month's rent.
Deposits are kept as a guarantee the tenant will pay
the rent and not damage the apartment.
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LIMITS:
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State laws place no limit
on the amount landlords can charge for security
deposits.
HOWEVER, the City of
Madison and in Fitchburg do have limits.
Madison law prohibits
landlords from charging more than one month's rent
for a security deposit
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INTEREST ON SECURITY DEPOSIT
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Interest in Security Deposits are not required under
state law.
However, some cities
may have enacted their own laws with respect to
this. See city of Madison.
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RETURN OF THE SECURITY DEPOSIT
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The Wisconsin landlord
has 21 days after the end of your lease to send you
either the full security deposit or an itemized list
of deductions for damages
above normal wear and tear.
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FAILURE TO RETURN THE SECURITY DEPOSIT
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Notify the landlord, in writing, of their failure to
return the deposit.
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Complaints may be filed
with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and
Consumer Protection. The bureau keeps complaint
records and will contact the landlord about the
violation.
For a complaint form, call or (800) 422-7128 or
obtain one online.
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If the issue remains
open, you will have to sue the landlord in court for
a return of the Wisconsin Security Deposit
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