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New Richmond is a growing city of roughly 10,000 residents in St. Croix County, located in the St. Croix River valley along the western edge of Wisconsin. As the county seat area attracts suburban growth from the Twin Cities metro, rental housing demand has increased, making it more important than ever for tenants to understand their legal protections.
Wisconsin's landlord-tenant law, codified primarily in Wis. Stat. § 704, governs nearly every aspect of the rental relationship in New Richmond — from how security deposits are handled to how evictions must proceed. The City of New Richmond has not enacted any local tenant protections beyond what state law requires, so Wisconsin statutes are the primary — and essential — source of renter rights here.
This page provides a detailed, statute-by-statute overview of the rights that apply to New Richmond renters. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or a qualifying legal aid organization.
Rent Control Status: Prohibited by State Law
There is no rent control in New Richmond, and no Wisconsin city or municipality may enact one. Wisconsin state law explicitly prohibits local governments from adopting rent control ordinances under Wis. Stat. § 66.1015, which states that no local government may regulate the amount of rent charged for private residential property.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in New Richmond can raise the rent by any amount — there is no cap, no percentage limit, and no requirement to justify the increase beyond providing proper advance notice. For month-to-month tenants, that notice is at least 28 days in writing under Wis. Stat. § 704.19. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be increased until the lease term ends unless the lease itself permits mid-term adjustments.
Renters concerned about rent increases should review their lease carefully, negotiate renewal terms proactively, and contact a legal aid organization if they believe a rent increase is being used as retaliation for exercising a legal right — which remains prohibited regardless of the absence of rent control (Wis. Stat. § 704.45).
Wisconsin's landlord-tenant statutes (Wis. Stat. Ch. 704) and the Wisconsin Administrative Code (ATCP 134) together provide New Richmond renters with meaningful protections across several key areas.
Habitability and Repairs (Wis. Stat. § 704.07)
Landlords in New Richmond are legally required to maintain rental units in a reasonable state of repair and in compliance with applicable housing codes affecting health and safety. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice from the tenant, the tenant may have the right to terminate the lease, withhold rent, or pursue other legal remedies depending on the severity of the condition. Tenants should document repair requests in writing and keep copies.
Security Deposit Rules (Wis. Stat. § 704.28; ATCP 134.06)
Landlords must return the security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 21 days after the tenant vacates and returns the keys. Wisconsin law does not impose a statutory cap on how much a landlord may charge as a deposit, but ATCP 134 restricts the types of deductions landlords may take. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to recover double the amount improperly withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice Requirements (Wis. Stat. § 704.19)
Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 28 days' written notice before the landlord terminates the tenancy. This notice must be served properly — in person or by mail — and must specify the termination date. For tenants who have violated the lease, different notice periods apply depending on the nature of the violation (Wis. Stat. § 704.17).
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Wis. Stat. § 704.45)
A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations to a government agency, joining a tenant organization, or exercising any legal right. Wisconsin law creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the landlord takes adverse action — such as raising rent, reducing services, or threatening eviction — within six months of a tenant's protected activity. The landlord bears the burden of proving a non-retaliatory reason for the action.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Wis. Stat. § 704.11)
Self-help eviction is illegal in Wisconsin. A landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without going through the court eviction process violates Wis. Stat. § 704.11. A tenant subjected to an unlawful lockout is entitled to recover punitive damages of up to two months' rent, plus actual damages and attorney's fees.
Wisconsin law governs security deposits for all New Richmond rentals through Wis. Stat. § 704.28 and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection rules at ATCP 134.06.
No Statutory Cap: Wisconsin does not limit how much a landlord may charge as a security deposit. New Richmond landlords may require any amount, though market norms and competition typically keep deposits in the range of one to two months' rent.
Return Deadline: After a tenant vacates and surrenders the keys, the landlord has exactly 21 days to return the deposit, along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions. The clock starts on the date the tenant returns the keys or the rental agreement ends — whichever is later.
Permitted Deductions: Under ATCP 134.06, landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and certain other costs specifically permitted by the rental agreement. They may not deduct for normal wear and tear, pre-existing conditions, or charges not disclosed in the lease or move-in checklist.
Move-In Checklist: ATCP 134.06 also requires landlords to give tenants a written check-in sheet at the start of tenancy listing the condition of the unit. Tenants should complete and return this form promptly — it is critical evidence if there is a deposit dispute at move-out.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit on time or makes improper deductions, the tenant may sue and recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees (Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4)). This penalty is a strong incentive for landlords to comply, and tenants should act promptly since claims are subject to Wisconsin's general small claims statutes of limitations.
New Richmond landlords must follow Wisconsin's statutory eviction process — there are no shortcuts. Self-help eviction (lockouts, utility shutoffs, removing belongings) 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 serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice depending on the reason:
Step 2 — Filing the Eviction Action
If the tenant does not comply with the notice within the required period, the landlord may file an eviction (unlawful detainer) action in St. Croix County Circuit Court or Small Claims Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and complaint and given the opportunity to respond and appear at a hearing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing
Both parties appear before a judge or court commissioner. Tenants have the right to present a defense — including retaliation, improper notice, or habitability issues. If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment for eviction (writ of restitution) is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution
After a judgment, the court issues a writ of restitution. The St. Croix County Sheriff's Office is the only party authorized to physically remove a tenant. Landlords cannot remove tenants themselves under any circumstances.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Wisconsin law does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to end a month-to-month tenancy or decline to renew a lease — they must simply provide proper notice. Fixed-term leases generally protect tenants from eviction for the lease term unless they violate the lease.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and local circumstances vary. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific legal issue — including an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or a habitability concern — you should consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. Laws and regulations cited here reflect publicly available information as of April 2026 and may have been amended since publication.
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