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Suamico is a village in Brown County, Wisconsin, situated just north of Green Bay along the western shore of Green Bay (the body of water). As one of the faster-growing communities in northeastern Wisconsin, Suamico has attracted a mix of homeowners and renters seeking suburban living with easy access to Green Bay's employment base. Renters here are subject to Wisconsin's statewide landlord-tenant framework — one of the more detailed in the Midwest — with no additional local ordinances layering on top of it.
Tenants in Suamico most commonly have questions about security deposit returns, rent increase limits, and what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs. Wisconsin Statute Chapter 704 governs nearly all of these relationships, and understanding its provisions is the most important step any Suamico renter can take. There is no local rent control, no local just-cause eviction requirement, and no Suamico-specific housing code enforcement office beyond Brown County and state-level agencies.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to Suamico renters as of April 2026. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or a legal aid organization for advice about your specific situation.
Rent Control Status: Prohibited by State Law
Suamico has no rent control ordinance, and under Wisconsin law, it cannot enact one. Wisconsin Statute § 66.1015 explicitly prohibits any city, village, town, or county from regulating the amount of rent a landlord may charge. This preemption applies statewide, meaning every municipality in Wisconsin — including Suamico — is barred from passing any form of rent stabilization or rent control law.
In practice, this means a landlord in Suamico may raise rent by any dollar amount at any time, provided they give proper advance written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least 28 days' written notice under Wis. Stat. § 704.19. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, the rent cannot be raised mid-lease unless the lease explicitly permits it — but once the lease term expires, the landlord may set any new rent amount.
Renters who are concerned about large rent increases have no legal mechanism in Wisconsin to challenge the amount itself. The only protections available relate to the process of the increase — proper notice timing — and to anti-retaliation rules if the increase follows a tenant's exercise of legal rights (Wis. Stat. § 704.45).
Wisconsin's landlord-tenant statute (Wis. Stat. Chapter 704) provides the following core protections to all Suamico renters:
Security Deposits (Wis. Stat. § 704.28)
Landlords in Wisconsin are not subject to a statutory cap on the security deposit amount they may charge. However, once a tenancy ends, the landlord must return the full deposit — or the remaining balance along with an itemized written statement of deductions — within 21 days of the tenant vacating. If the landlord fails to comply or wrongfully withholds any portion, the tenant is entitled to double the amount improperly withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Habitability and Repairs (Wis. Stat. § 704.07)
Wisconsin landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a reasonable state of repair, comply with applicable housing codes, and keep common areas safe. After a tenant provides written notice of a defect, the landlord must repair it within a reasonable time. If the landlord fails to act, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, terminate the lease, or pursue damages — the appropriate remedy depends on the severity of the defect and whether proper procedures are followed.
Notice to Terminate (Wis. Stat. § 704.19)
A landlord must provide at least 28 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. Tenants wishing to vacate must also give 28 days' written notice unless the lease specifies otherwise. For fixed-term leases, the lease ends on the agreed date without additional notice unless the parties agree to renew.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Wis. Stat. § 704.45)
Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, contact a government agency about conditions, or exercise any other legal right. Wisconsin law creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the landlord takes an adverse action — such as raising rent, reducing services, or filing for eviction — within 6 months of a protected act. A landlord can overcome this presumption only by showing a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason for the action.
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 take any other action to physically remove or constructively evict a tenant without going through the court process. A tenant subjected to an illegal lockout is entitled to punitive damages of up to 2 months' rent, plus actual damages, under Wis. Stat. § 704.11.
Wisconsin imposes no statutory cap on how much a Suamico landlord may charge as a security deposit — it may be any amount negotiated between the parties. However, the rules governing the return of that deposit are strict and tenant-protective.
Return Deadline: Under Wis. Stat. § 704.28, a landlord must return the security deposit (or the balance remaining after lawful deductions) within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates the unit. The landlord must accompany any deductions with an itemized written statement specifying each claimed deduction and its dollar amount.
Permissible Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other amounts the tenant owes under the lease — but they may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear or routine cleaning unless the lease specifically permits cleaning fees and the unit was not left reasonably clean (per Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP § 134.06).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 21 days, or makes deductions that are not permitted, the tenant is entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees (Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4)). This creates a significant financial incentive for landlords to comply and a meaningful remedy for tenants who do not receive their deposit.
Practical Tip: Document the unit's condition thoroughly with dated photos and video at both move-in and move-out, and provide a written forwarding address to the landlord promptly after vacating — the 21-day clock generally runs from the date the landlord receives that address or the date of vacancy, whichever is later.
Wisconsin has a detailed court-supervised eviction process that applies in Suamico. Landlords must follow every step; shortcutting the process is illegal and exposes the landlord to significant liability.
Step 1 — Required Notice
Before filing an eviction lawsuit, a landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Eviction Lawsuit (Small Claims Court)
If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction action (called an unlawful detainer action) in Brown County Circuit Court. The tenant will receive a summons and complaint. Under Wisconsin eviction procedure (Wis. Stat. § 799.40), the court schedules an initial appearance typically within 8–30 days of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment
Both parties present their cases at the hearing. If the court rules for the landlord, it issues a judgment for eviction (a writ of restitution). The tenant then has a brief period — typically set by the court — to vacate before the sheriff enforces the writ.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution and Sheriff Enforcement
Only a Brown County Sheriff's deputy may physically remove a tenant pursuant to a writ of restitution. The landlord has no authority to remove the tenant personally.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, removes the tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise forces the tenant out without a court order commits an illegal lockout under Wis. Stat. § 704.11. The tenant may sue for up to 2 months' rent in punitive damages plus all actual damages.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Wisconsin does not require a landlord to have just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy or decline to renew a fixed-term lease — the landlord need only provide the legally 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 Statute Chapter 704, Wis. Stat. § 66.1015, and Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP Chapter 134 — may change, and individual circumstances vary significantly. Nothing here creates an attorney-client relationship. Suamico renters with specific legal questions should consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as Wisconsin Judicare or Legal Action of Wisconsin. Always verify current law before taking action based on this information.
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