Wisconsin Month-to-Month Lease Termination (Wis. Stat. Sec. 704.19)

Wis. Stat. Sec. 704.19 governs ending periodic tenancies and tenancies at will: termination requires written notice that substantially informs the other party of the intent to terminate and the date of termination. The statute provides that 'at least 28 days' notice must be given except' where rent is payable on a basis less than monthly (then notice at least equal to the rent-paying period) and for agricultural year-to-year tenancies (90 days). For a standard month-to-month residential tenancy, the rule is at least 28 days' written notice ending the tenancy. For a year-to-year tenancy, the end of the rental period is the end of the rental year even if rent is paid more often. A fixed-term lease expires on its stated end date and generally needs no separate termination notice unless the lease or a later periodic tenancy requires one.

No specific statutory fine; a termination given on improper or short notice is ineffective to end the tenancy. A landlord who removes a tenant without proper notice or a court order may face an unlawful-eviction claim, since self-help eviction outside ch. 799 is prohibited by ATCP 134.09.