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Monroe is the county seat of Green County in south-central Wisconsin, a small city of roughly 10,500 residents known for its Swiss heritage and dairy industry. Like most smaller Wisconsin cities, Monroe's rental market is governed entirely by state law — specifically Wisconsin's comprehensive landlord-tenant statute, Wis. Stat. ch. 704 — with no additional local tenant protections in place.
Renters in Monroe most commonly search for information about security deposit returns, repair obligations, eviction notice requirements, and what landlords can and cannot do when a dispute arises. Wisconsin's statutes are among the more detailed in the Midwest, providing specific deadlines, damage multipliers, and anti-retaliation protections that give tenants meaningful legal recourse.
This page is intended as an informational overview of the laws that apply to Monroe renters. It is not legal advice. If you are facing eviction, a deposit dispute, or unsafe living conditions, contact a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Monroe has no rent control, and Wisconsin state law makes that permanent. Wis. Stat. § 66.1015 explicitly prohibits any city, village, town, or county in Wisconsin from enacting or enforcing a rent control ordinance. This preemption is absolute — no local government in the state, including Monroe or Green County, has the legal authority to limit how much a landlord can increase rent.
In practice, this means a Monroe landlord may raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with at least 28 days' written notice as required by Wis. Stat. § 704.19. There is no required cap, no percentage limit, and no requirement that the landlord justify the increase. Tenants who receive a rent increase they cannot afford have the right to give proper notice and vacate, but no right to contest the amount of the increase under Wisconsin law.
Although Monroe has no local tenant ordinances, Wisconsin's statewide landlord-tenant law provides a solid set of protections that apply to every rental in the city.
Habitability and Repairs (Wis. Stat. § 704.07): Monroe landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a reasonable state of repair and in compliance with applicable housing and building codes. After a tenant provides written notice of a defect, the landlord has a reasonable time to make repairs. If the landlord fails to act, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, repair-and-deduct (for minor defects), or terminate the lease — though the specifics depend on the severity of the condition and proper procedural steps.
Security Deposit Rules (Wis. Stat. § 704.28 & Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134): Landlords must return the security deposit within 21 days of the tenant vacating, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. No statutory cap limits the amount a landlord may collect. Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent, physical damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other costs specifically identified in the lease.
Notice to Terminate (Wis. Stat. § 704.19): To end a month-to-month tenancy, either the landlord or tenant must give at least 28 days' written notice before the next rent due date. For fixed-term leases, the lease terms govern expiration. Landlords who fail to provide proper notice cannot lawfully proceed with an eviction.
Anti-Retaliation (Wis. Stat. § 704.45): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations to a government agency, complaining to the landlord about habitability, or exercising any legal right. If a landlord takes an adverse action — such as raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction — within six months of a protected act, Wisconsin law creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation. 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 remove the tenant's belongings to force the tenant out without going through the court eviction process. A tenant who is unlawfully locked out or has utilities shut off is entitled to punitive damages of up to two months' rent plus actual damages.
Wisconsin law governs security deposits for all Monroe rentals under Wis. Stat. § 704.28 and the Wisconsin Consumer Protection regulations at Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134.
No statutory cap: Wisconsin does not limit the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. Monroe landlords may charge whatever amount the market supports, as long as it is disclosed in the rental agreement.
21-day return deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 21 days to either return the full deposit or send the tenant an itemized written statement of deductions along with any remaining balance. The 21-day clock begins on the date the tenant vacates, or the end of the lease term, whichever is later.
Permitted deductions: Under Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134.06, deductions are limited to unpaid rent, physical damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other specific costs identified in the written rental agreement. Landlords may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear, pre-existing damage, or costs that are a normal part of turning over a unit.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the deposit, Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4) entitles the tenant to recover double the amount improperly withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photos and written records to support any claim.
Monroe landlords must follow Wisconsin's statutory eviction process under Wis. Stat. ch. 799 and ch. 704. There is no shortcut — self-help eviction is illegal, and courts take violations seriously.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must deliver a written notice to the tenant. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Court Filing: If the tenant does not pay, cure the violation, or vacate by the end of the notice period, the landlord may file an eviction (unlawful detainer) action in Green County Circuit Court. The tenant will receive a summons and complaint and must respond within the time stated.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses — including improper notice, retaliation, or habitability problems. If the court rules for the landlord, a writ of restitution is issued.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: Only the Green County Sheriff may enforce the writ and physically remove a tenant. No one else has legal authority to do so.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under Wis. Stat. § 704.11, a landlord who changes locks, shuts off utilities, removes belongings, or otherwise forces a tenant out without a court order is liable for punitive damages up to two months' rent plus actual damages. Tenants subjected to unlawful lockouts should contact law enforcement and a legal aid organization immediately.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Wisconsin law does not require a landlord to have cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy or decline to renew a fixed-term lease. However, termination in retaliation for a protected act is prohibited under Wis. Stat. § 704.45.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. For advice about your individual circumstances, consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or contact a legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on it.
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