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Two Rivers is a small lakeside city in Manitowoc County on the western shore of Lake Michigan, with a population of roughly 11,000 residents. Like many smaller Wisconsin communities, a significant share of households rent rather than own, making an understanding of state landlord-tenant law essential for local renters. Wisconsin's primary landlord-tenant statute, Wis. Stat. § 704, governs nearly every aspect of the rental relationship — from how deposits must be handled to what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy.
Two Rivers has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what Wisconsin state law requires. That means renters here rely entirely on state-level rules for protections around habitability, security deposits, retaliation, and eviction. The most commonly searched topics for Two Rivers tenants include security deposit returns, repair obligations, and the eviction notice process — all of which are addressed in detail below.
This page is intended as an educational overview of tenant rights that apply in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and your individual situation may be different — always consult a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization if you have a specific legal question.
There is no rent control in Two Rivers, and no Wisconsin city or municipality may enact rent control under any circumstances. Wisconsin state law explicitly preempts local governments from regulating the amount of rent a landlord may charge. Wis. Stat. § 66.1015 states: "No city, village, town, or county may enact or administer an ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property." This preemption has been in place since 1981 and applies to every community in Wisconsin without exception.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Two Rivers can raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time — as long as proper notice is given before the increase takes effect. For a month-to-month tenant, that requires at least 28 days' written notice under Wis. Stat. § 704.19. For tenants in a fixed-term lease, the landlord generally cannot raise the rent until the lease term expires, unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
Because there is no rent stabilization, cap, or review process, Two Rivers renters facing a significant rent increase have limited legal recourse. However, you always retain the right to negotiate, to decline to renew your lease, and to document any increase that you believe may be retaliatory (see the anti-retaliation section below).
Wisconsin's Wis. Stat. Chapter 704 provides a comprehensive framework of tenant protections that fully apply to renters in Two Rivers. Key protections include:
Habitability and Repairs (Wis. Stat. § 704.07): Landlords must keep the rental premises in a reasonable state of repair, comply with applicable local housing codes, and maintain all electrical, plumbing, heating, and structural systems in working order. If a condition exists that is the landlord's responsibility to repair, a tenant must provide written notice of the defect. The landlord then has a "reasonable time" to complete the repair — the length of which depends on the severity of the problem. If the landlord fails to repair within a reasonable period, tenants may have the right to terminate the lease or, under limited circumstances, to withhold rent or make the repair and deduct the cost from rent.
Security Deposits (Wis. Stat. § 704.28): Landlords must return the security deposit within 21 days after the tenant vacates, along with a written, itemized statement of any lawful deductions. Wrongful withholding of any portion of the deposit entitles the tenant to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, in a small claims action.
Notice to Terminate (Wis. Stat. § 704.19): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must provide at least 28 days' written notice before the next rent due date. Tenants must provide the same 28-day notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Week-to-week tenancies require a minimum of 5 days' written notice from either party.
Anti-Retaliation (Wis. Stat. § 704.45): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting a housing code violation, contacting a government agency about the condition of the premises, joining or organizing a tenant union, or asserting any other legal right. If a landlord takes an adverse action — such as raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction — within 6 months of a protected act, a rebuttable presumption of retaliation arises. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim 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 who locks a tenant out, removes doors or windows, or shuts off utilities to force a tenant out — without going through the court eviction process — is liable for punitive damages of up to 2 months' rent, plus all actual damages the tenant suffers.
Wisconsin law governs security deposits for Two Rivers rentals under Wis. Stat. § 704.28 and the Wisconsin Administrative Code, ATCP Ch. 134 (the Residential Rental Practices rules enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection).
No Statutory Cap: Wisconsin does not limit how much a landlord may charge as a security deposit. A landlord in Two Rivers may require one month's rent, two months' rent, or any other amount — there is no maximum set by state law.
Move-In Checklist: Under ATCP § 134.06, if a landlord charges a security deposit, the landlord must give the tenant a written check-in inspection report listing the pre-existing condition of the unit. The tenant has the opportunity to note any additional defects within 7 days of moving in. Failing to provide this checklist can limit the landlord's ability to make deposit deductions for pre-existing damage.
Return Deadline — 21 Days: The landlord must return the full deposit (or the remaining balance after lawful deductions) within 21 days of the tenant vacating the premises. The landlord must accompany any partial return with a written, itemized statement specifying each deduction and its dollar amount.
Lawful Deductions: Under Wis. Stat. § 704.28(3), a landlord may deduct only for: unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid utility bills the tenant was responsible for, and certain other costs spelled out in the lease and permitted by ATCP § 134.06.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 21 days, or makes deductions that are not lawfully permitted, the tenant is entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees (Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4)). Tenants may file a claim in Manitowoc County Small Claims Court (for claims up to $10,000) without needing an attorney.
Evictions in Two Rivers are governed by Wis. Stat. §§ 704.17 and 799.40–799.45 (the small claims eviction procedure). A landlord must follow each step of the legal process — there are no shortcuts.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written eviction notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (unlawful detainer) action in Manitowoc County Circuit Court using the small claims procedure under Wis. Stat. § 799.40. The filing fee and service of a summons on the tenant are required.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: The court schedules a hearing, typically within 25 days of the filing date (Wis. Stat. § 799.44). The tenant has the right to appear and present defenses — such as improper notice, retaliation, or habitability issues.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a Writ of Restitution, which authorizes the sheriff to remove the tenant if they have not left voluntarily. Only the sheriff may physically remove a tenant — a landlord cannot do so independently.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under Wis. Stat. § 704.11, a landlord who locks out a tenant, removes belongings, shuts off utilities, or takes any other action to force a tenant out without a court order is subject to punitive damages of up to 2 months' rent plus all actual damages. If you are illegally locked out, contact law enforcement and a legal aid organization immediately.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Wisconsin does not require landlords to have "just cause" to terminate a month-to-month tenancy at the end of a lease term. A landlord may decline to renew a lease without providing a reason, as long as proper notice is given and the decision is not retaliatory under Wis. Stat. § 704.45.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep content accurate and up to date as of April 2026, Wisconsin landlord-tenant laws and local ordinances may change at any time. Your specific circumstances may require analysis that goes beyond the general rules described here. For advice about your individual situation, consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or contact a local legal aid organization such as Wisconsin Judicare or Legal Action of Wisconsin. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by your use of this site.
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