Milwaukee landlords may refuse to renew a lease without cause once the term ends. Wisconsin Act 76 (2018) preempts local just-cause eviction rules, so no-fault non-renewals are lawful provided proper notice is given under Wis. Stat. ch. 704.
Wisconsin Act 76 prevents Milwaukee from requiring just-cause for terminations or non-renewals of residential tenancies. Under Wis. Stat. ch. 704, a landlord may end a month-to-month tenancy with 28 days' written notice and may decline to renew a fixed-term lease at expiration. Milwaukee cannot impose relocation assistance, mandatory cause categories, or extended notice periods. Tenants retain protections against retaliatory action under ATCP 134, but a non-renewal made for legitimate business reasons or no stated reason is generally lawful. Eviction filings must still go through state circuit court.
Self-help eviction, lockouts, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out remain illegal and can lead to double damages, court costs, attorney fees, and possible criminal liability.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Milwaukee, WI
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Milwaukee, WI
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