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Bellevue is a village in Brown County, Wisconsin, located on the southern edge of Green Bay. The community has seen steady residential growth in recent years, with a mix of homeowners and renters drawn to its suburban setting and proximity to Green Bay's employment and amenities. Renters in Bellevue most frequently ask about rent increases, security deposit returns, and what happens if a landlord fails to make repairs — all areas governed exclusively by Wisconsin state law.
Unlike some larger Wisconsin cities, Bellevue has not enacted any local tenant protections beyond what the state requires. That means Wisconsin's landlord-tenant statute — primarily Wis. Stat. § 704 — is the single body of law that determines your rights as a renter here. Wisconsin's framework is relatively detailed for the Midwest, covering habitability standards, strict deposit return timelines, anti-retaliation protections, and a clear prohibition on self-help evictions.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to Bellevue renters as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual situations vary — consult a licensed attorney or contact a legal aid organization if you need guidance on your specific circumstances.
Bellevue has no rent control, and no Wisconsin municipality may enact one. Wisconsin state law explicitly preempts any local ordinance that would regulate the amount of rent a landlord may charge. The controlling statute, Wis. Stat. § 66.1015, states that no local governmental unit may enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that regulates the amount of rent charged for private residential property. This prohibition has been in place for decades and applies to every city, village, town, and county in Wisconsin — including Bellevue and Brown County.
In practice, this means your landlord in Bellevue can raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time — as long as proper advance notice is provided before the increase takes effect. There is no limit on the percentage or frequency of rent increases. For month-to-month tenants, Wisconsin law requires that any change to the rental agreement, including a rent increase, be communicated with at least 28 days' written notice under Wis. Stat. § 704.19(3). For tenants on a fixed-term lease, the landlord generally cannot raise rent until the lease term ends, unless the lease specifically permits mid-term increases.
If you receive a rent increase notice, review your lease carefully and verify the notice period. You are not required to accept a new rent amount — you may choose not to renew your lease — but you cannot legally challenge the amount of the increase itself under Wisconsin or Bellevue law.
Wisconsin's landlord-tenant law (Wis. Stat. Ch. 704) and the Wisconsin Administrative Code (ATCP 134, enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection) together provide Bellevue renters with a set of meaningful protections. Key provisions include:
Habitability & Repairs (Wis. Stat. § 704.07): Landlords in Wisconsin must keep rental premises in a reasonable state of repair and in compliance with applicable housing codes affecting health and safety. If a defect materially affects habitability, a tenant must notify the landlord in writing. The landlord then has a reasonable time to make repairs. If the landlord fails to act, the tenant may have the right to withhold rent, terminate the lease, or seek damages — the specific remedy depends on whether the defect was caused by the tenant and the severity of the condition.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Wis. Stat. § 704.45): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting a housing code violation to a government authority, joining a tenant organization, or exercising any right provided by law. Wisconsin law creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the landlord takes an adverse action — such as raising rent, reducing services, or filing an eviction — within six months of the tenant's protected activity. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover actual damages and attorney's fees.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Wis. Stat. § 704.19): For month-to-month rental agreements, either the landlord or the tenant must provide at least 28 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. Notice must run to the end of a rental period. Week-to-week tenancies require at least 7 days' written notice. Fixed-term leases expire automatically at the end of the term unless renewed.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Wis. Stat. § 704.11): Self-help eviction is illegal in Wisconsin. A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, or intentionally shut off utilities in order to force a tenant out without going through the court eviction process. A tenant who is unlawfully locked out or whose utilities are shut off may recover punitive damages of up to two months' rent plus actual damages.
Disclosure Requirements (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.04): Before or at the start of a tenancy, landlords must disclose certain information to tenants, including the name and address of the property owner and any person authorized to manage the premises. Failure to make required disclosures may affect the landlord's rights in disputes.
No Cap on Deposit Amount: Wisconsin law does not set a maximum limit on how much a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.02, a security deposit is any payment — however labeled — held to cover potential damage, unpaid rent, or other tenant obligations. Landlords are prohibited from withholding from the deposit any amount attributable to normal wear and tear.
21-Day Return Deadline (Wis. Stat. § 704.28): After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 21 days to return the full deposit or provide an itemized written statement of deductions along with any remaining balance. The 21-day clock begins running when the tenant vacates the unit (or the lease end date, whichever is later) and provides their forwarding address. Landlords may only deduct for: unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, certain unpaid utilities, and other amounts specifically authorized by the rental agreement.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of a security deposit — or fails to return it within 21 days — the tenant is entitled to double the amount improperly withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, under Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4). This is a significant penalty designed to deter landlords from making improper deductions.
Move-In Checklist (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06): At the start of a tenancy, landlords are required to give tenants a check-in sheet that documents the condition of the unit. Tenants should complete this form carefully and retain a copy — it is critical evidence if a deposit dispute arises later. Failure by the landlord to provide the check-in form may limit their ability to make damage deductions.
In Bellevue, as throughout Wisconsin, a landlord must follow the court process to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts. The eviction (called an eviction action or forcible entry and detainer in Wisconsin courts) is governed by Wis. Stat. § 799.40 et seq. and Wis. Stat. § 704.17.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must give the tenant a written notice specifying the reason for eviction and, where cure is possible, allowing the tenant time to fix the problem. Common notices include:
Step 2 — Filing in Small Claims Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in Brown County Circuit Court (Small Claims Division). The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 8–30 days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant may appear, present evidence, and testify. Tenants should attend — a default judgment will be entered if the tenant does not show up. If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment for eviction is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: After a judgment, the landlord must obtain a writ of restitution from the court. A law enforcement officer (sheriff or constable) then carries out the physical removal of the tenant, typically with at least 5 days' advance notice.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under Wis. Stat. § 704.11, landlords are prohibited from changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or otherwise attempting to force a tenant out without a court order. Violations entitle the tenant to punitive damages of up to two months' rent plus actual damages.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Wisconsin does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to non-renew a lease or end a month-to-month tenancy. Landlords may choose not to renew for any lawful reason — or no reason — as long as proper notice is given and the decision is not retaliatory or discriminatory.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws — including Wisconsin statutes, administrative code provisions, and local ordinances — can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. If you have a specific legal question or are involved in a landlord-tenant dispute, you should consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area. Do not rely solely on this page to make legal decisions.
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