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Howard is a fast-growing village in Brown County, Wisconsin, located just northwest of Green Bay. As the greater Green Bay metro area expands, Howard has attracted a significant number of renters in apartment communities, townhomes, and single-family rentals. Like all Wisconsin renters, Howard tenants are governed exclusively by Wisconsin state law — particularly Wis. Stat. ch. 704, which covers everything from security deposits and habitability to eviction procedures and anti-retaliation protections.
Renters in Howard most commonly have questions about security deposit returns, rent increases, repair obligations, and the eviction process. While Wisconsin's landlord-tenant law is among the more detailed in the Midwest, it does not include rent control, just-cause eviction requirements, or local tenant protections specific to Howard or Brown County. Understanding what state law does and does not guarantee is essential for protecting yourself as a renter in this community.
This page summarizes the tenant rights framework that applies to Howard renters as of April 2026. It is intended as an educational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific legal problem, consult a qualified attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area.
Howard has no rent control, and no municipality in Wisconsin may enact rent control. Wisconsin state law explicitly prohibits local governments — including villages, cities, towns, and counties — from adopting any ordinance, resolution, or policy that controls the amount of rent charged for privately owned residential housing. This prohibition is found at Wis. Stat. § 66.1015, which reads that no local governmental unit may regulate rents for privately owned residential property.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Howard can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance notice before the change takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that notice must be at least 28 days under Wis. Stat. § 704.19. Fixed-term lease tenants are generally protected from rent increases until their lease expires, at which point the landlord may propose a new rent for any renewal term. There is no cap, no formula, and no approval process required — landlords have full discretion over rent levels once proper notice is given.
Wisconsin's Wis. Stat. ch. 704 provides a comprehensive set of tenant protections that apply to all renters in Howard. Below are the key protections you should know.
Security Deposits (Wis. Stat. § 704.28): Wisconsin imposes no dollar cap on security deposits, but landlords must return the deposit — with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 21 days of the tenant vacating the unit. If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant is entitled to recover double the amount improperly withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. Landlords must also provide a check-in sheet at the start of a tenancy documenting pre-existing conditions (Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134.06).
Habitability and Repairs (Wis. Stat. § 704.07): Wisconsin landlords are legally required to maintain rental premises in a reasonable state of repair, comply with applicable housing codes, and keep essential services — including heat, plumbing, and electrical systems — in working order. When a tenant provides written notice of a repair need, the landlord must make the repair within a reasonable time. If the landlord fails to act and the condition is not caused by the tenant, the tenant may have the right to withhold rent or terminate the lease, depending on the severity of the defect.
Notice to Terminate (Wis. Stat. § 704.19): For month-to-month tenancies, a landlord must give at least 28 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. The notice must specify the date on which the tenancy ends. Tenants ending a month-to-month tenancy must also give 28 days' notice. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days' notice is required from either party.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Wis. Stat. § 704.45): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations to a government authority, requesting legally required repairs, joining a tenant organization, or exercising any other legal right. If a landlord takes adverse action — such as raising rent, threatening eviction, or reducing services — within 6 months of a protected act, the law creates a rebuttable presumption that the action was retaliatory. A tenant who proves retaliation may recover actual damages and attorney's fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Wis. Stat. § 704.11): Self-help eviction is illegal in Wisconsin. A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or otherwise attempt to physically remove a tenant without going through the formal court eviction process. Any unauthorized lockout entitles the tenant to recover punitive damages of up to two months' rent plus actual damages.
Wisconsin law does not set a maximum dollar amount for security deposits — your landlord in Howard may charge any amount agreed upon in the lease. However, strict rules govern how deposits must be handled once collected.
Return Deadline: Under Wis. Stat. § 704.28, a landlord must return your security deposit — along with an itemized written statement explaining any deductions — within 21 days after you vacate the premises and return the keys. The clock starts when you have physically left the unit and surrendered possession.
Permissible Deductions: Landlords may only deduct from the deposit for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other specific costs permitted by the lease or Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134.06. They cannot deduct for ordinary wear and tear, such as minor scuffs or carpet wear from normal use.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit on time or makes improper deductions, the tenant is entitled to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under Wis. Stat. § 704.28(3). This creates a significant financial incentive for landlords to comply.
Check-In Documentation: At the start of your tenancy, Wisconsin law requires your landlord to provide a check-in sheet documenting the condition of the unit (Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134.06). Complete this carefully, photograph any pre-existing damage, and return a copy to your landlord in writing. This documentation is critical if there is a dispute over deductions at move-out.
Wisconsin has a formal, court-supervised eviction process that landlords in Howard must follow. Self-help eviction — such as changing locks or shutting off utilities — is illegal under Wis. Stat. § 704.11 and exposes the landlord to punitive damages of up to two months' rent plus actual damages.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must give the tenant proper written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Court Filing (Eviction Action): If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction action (also called an unlawful detainer action) in Brown County Circuit Court or Small Claims Court, depending on the amount in dispute. The tenant will be served with a summons and complaint and must appear at a hearing. Filing fees and service of process are required before the case proceeds.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear and present their case. Tenants may raise defenses such as retaliation, failure to maintain habitability, or improper notice. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue a judgment for eviction and may also enter a money judgment for unpaid rent.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: After judgment, the landlord must obtain a Writ of Restitution from the court. The writ is served by the Brown County Sheriff, who will carry out the physical removal of the tenant if the tenant has not vacated. Under Wis. Stat. § 799.44, a tenant typically has a brief period after the writ is issued to move voluntarily before the Sheriff enforces it.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Wisconsin does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to decline to renew a lease or to end a month-to-month tenancy. As long as proper notice is given, the landlord may terminate the tenancy without stating a reason. There is no local just-cause ordinance in Howard or Brown County.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the specific facts of your situation may affect how the law applies to you. Renters in Howard, Wisconsin should verify current statutes and ordinances with a qualified attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as Wisconsin Judicare or Legal Action of Wisconsin. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on it.
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