Wausau, WI Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Maximum abatement
- 95% of periodic rent
- Filing deadline
- 30 days from notice
- Decision body
- Public Health and Safety Committee
- Penalty
- $150-$900 forfeiture per day
- Effective date
- Orders since April 1, 2012
Summary
Wausau lets tenants abate part of their rent when a landlord fails to fix a 'rent-impairing' housing code violation on time. The Public Health and Safety Committee sets the abatement percentage under Wausau Municipal Code § 16.04.037, up to 95 percent of the periodic rent.
(a)Statement of intent. The Common Council of the City of Wausau hereby finds that in order to insure the proper repair and maintenance of residential buildings within the City of Wausau, to prevent the deterioration and neglect of such structures for the protection of the health and safety of the people of Wausau and to further enforce compliance with The BOCA Basic Housing-Property Maintenance Code of the City of Wausau and the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter SPS 321 and 362, it is necessary, in the case of uncorrected rent-impairing violations, that tenants residing in the City of Wausau be authorized to abate an appropriate portion of their rental payments under the provisions of this section. ... (i)Penalty.(1)Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall upon conviction be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $150.00 nor more than $900.00, unless a different penalty is specifically provided, with each separate day of violation to be considered a separate offense.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
037 lets tenants withhold or recover part of their rent when a landlord does not correct a violation the Inspection and Zoning Division of the Department of Engineering has labeled 'rent impairing,' meaning a condition in a dwelling unit, lodging room, or common area that creates or threatens a fire hazard or a health and safety risk, including deficiencies in security, heating, electricity, or plumbing. Each week the city publishes online a list of rental addresses with uncorrected rent-impairing violations and mails a notice to 'Occupant' at every affected unit; an eligible tenant then has 30 days from that notice to file a written request for a hearing with the City Clerk.
The Public Health and Safety Committee holds the hearing, decides whether the landlord missed the correction deadline, and sets the abatement percentage using a published Schedule of Rent Impairing Violations, with total abatement on any one unit capped at 95 percent of the periodic rent. Abatement runs retroactive to the date of the original inspection and ends once the Inspection and Zoning Division certifies the repair. A landlord must exhibit any outstanding violation notice or Committee order to a prospective tenant before signing a lease, and must repay a tenant promptly once abatement is authorized; a tenant can deduct unpaid amounts from future rent or sue for the balance plus attorney fees.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 16.04.037, including a landlord's failure to reimburse a tenant after an authorized abatement or to disclose an outstanding violation before signing a lease, carries a forfeiture of not less than $150.00 nor more than $900.00 per offense, with each day of continued noncompliance treated as a separate violation. The city can also refer enforcement to the City Attorney for court action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a 'rent-impairing' violation in Wausau?
How do I apply for rent abatement in Wausau?
How much rent can I get back?
What if my landlord won't pay back the abated rent?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wausau
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