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Mount Pleasant is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin, situated between the city of Racine and the Illinois border. The community has grown significantly in recent years, driven in part by major economic development projects, and its rental market reflects that growth. Renters in Mount Pleasant are governed entirely by Wisconsin state landlord-tenant law — primarily Wis. Stat. Chapter 704 — as the village has not enacted any local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what the state requires.
Wisconsin's landlord-tenant statutes are among the more detailed in the Midwest, providing clear rules on security deposit handling, habitability obligations, eviction procedures, and retaliation protections. The most common questions Mount Pleasant renters have involve rent increases (there are no limits), security deposit returns, and the eviction notice process. Understanding these state-level rules is the most important step any renter in the village can take to protect their housing.
This page is intended as an informational overview only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a qualified attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Mount Pleasant has no rent control ordinance, and under Wisconsin law it cannot have one. Wis. Stat. § 66.1015 explicitly prohibits any city, village, town, or county in Wisconsin from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for residential housing. This statewide preemption applies uniformly — no Wisconsin municipality, including Mount Pleasant, may limit how much a landlord charges or how much rents can increase.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Mount Pleasant may raise rent by any dollar amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with proper advance notice. There is no percentage cap, no annual limit, and no requirement that a landlord justify the size of an increase. The only meaningful protection renters have against a rent increase is the notice requirement: for month-to-month tenants, landlords must provide at least 28 days' written notice before a rent change takes effect (Wis. Stat. § 704.19). Fixed-term lease holders are protected from increases until their lease expires, after which any new terms — including a higher rent — may be offered.
Although Mount Pleasant has no local ordinances, Wisconsin state law provides several meaningful protections for renters throughout the village.
Security Deposits (Wis. Stat. § 704.28 & Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06): Wisconsin has no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. However, landlords must return the deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 21 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other specific costs. Failure to comply entitles the tenant to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Habitability & Repairs (Wis. Stat. § 704.07): Landlords in Mount Pleasant are legally required to maintain rental units in a reasonable state of repair, comply with applicable housing codes, and keep essential services (heat, plumbing, electricity) functional. After a tenant provides written notice of a repair need, the landlord must act within a reasonable time. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs, a tenant may have the right to withhold rent, make repairs and deduct costs, or terminate the lease — subject to procedural requirements under the statute.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (Wis. Stat. § 704.19): A landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 28 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. The notice must be delivered in compliance with Wis. Stat. § 704.21. Tenants who remain past the end of a fixed-term lease without a new agreement typically convert to month-to-month status and receive this notice protection.
Anti-Retaliation (Wis. Stat. § 704.45): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations, contacting a government agency about conditions, or otherwise exercising lawful tenant rights. Wisconsin law creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation for any adverse landlord action — such as a rent increase, eviction notice, or reduction in services — taken within 6 months of a protected act by the tenant. Retaliatory conduct is a defense to an eviction action and may give rise to damages.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition (Wis. Stat. § 704.11): Landlords are prohibited from forcing a tenant out through self-help measures, including changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's personal property without a court order. A tenant who is subjected to an unlawful lockout or utility shutoff is entitled to punitive damages of up to two months' rent plus actual damages and attorney's fees.
Wisconsin law governs security deposits for all Mount Pleasant rentals. Under Wis. Stat. § 704.28 and Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06, the following rules apply:
No Statutory Cap: Wisconsin does not limit the dollar amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Landlords may generally charge one month's rent, two months' rent, or any other amount they choose.
21-Day Return Deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 21 calendar days to either return the full deposit or mail a written itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining balance. The clock starts when the tenant vacates the unit.
Permitted Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other costs specifically permitted by the lease or by ATCP § 134.06. They may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear — such as minor scuffs on walls, carpet wear from normal use, or faded paint.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within 21 days, or if deductions are not permitted by law, the tenant is entitled to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4). Tenants may bring this claim in small claims court.
Pre-Tenancy Documentation: Under ATCP § 134.06, landlords must provide a check-in sheet at move-in so tenants can document the unit's pre-existing condition. Tenants should complete and return this form to protect themselves against improper deductions at move-out.
Evictions in Mount Pleasant follow Wisconsin's formal court process. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order — self-help eviction is illegal (Wis. Stat. § 704.11). The process works as follows:
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must serve the tenant a proper written notice before filing in court. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Eviction Filing in Circuit Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (unlawful detainer) action in Racine County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served a summons and complaint and must respond within the time stated in the summons.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to raise defenses — including improper notice, retaliation (Wis. Stat. § 704.45), or failure to maintain habitability (Wis. Stat. § 704.07). If the landlord prevails, the court issues a judgment for eviction.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: After judgment, the landlord may obtain a writ of restitution from the court, and the local sheriff's department carries out the physical removal. Only the sheriff — not the landlord — may enforce this writ.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: At every stage, a landlord who changes locks, shuts off utilities, removes belongings, or otherwise forces a tenant out without a court order violates Wis. Stat. § 704.11 and may owe the tenant up to two months' rent in punitive damages plus actual damages.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Wisconsin law does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to terminate a month-to-month tenancy or to decline to renew a fixed-term lease. The landlord need only provide the required notice period.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws — including Wisconsin statutes and administrative rules — can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing here creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a dispute with your landlord or face eviction, you should consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currentness of this information.
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