Wisconsin Landlord Responsibility Statement

Effective Date: November 1, 2025
Jurisdiction: State of Wisconsin
Applies To: All landlords, property managers, agents and listing entities using Tentunit to list residential rental properties (including student-housing, young-professional and conventional rentals) in Wisconsin.

1. Purpose

This Statement sets forth the operational, legal, and ethical obligations that landlords must fulfill when listing through Tentunit in Wisconsin. Use of the platform constitutes the landlord’s acceptance of this Statement, the Tentunit Terms of Service, Payment Terms, the Fair Housing & Equal Access Policy, and all applicable federal, state and local laws. This is not legal advice; landlords should consult qualified counsel.

2. Listing Accuracy, Transparency & Advertising Standards

Landlords must ensure listings on Tentunit are truthful, current, and accurately reflect the property and terms.

Required Disclosures:

Clearly state monthly rent, lease term (fixed/periodic, renewal/notice mechanics), and earliest availability date.
Disclose all one-time and recurring fees: application/screening fees, move-in/administrative fees, pet fees/deposits, parking or amenity fees, utility allocation/rebilling fees.
Disclose security deposit amount (or fee in-lieu if used) and conditions for withholding; timeline for return must be clear. (§ 704.28 Wis. Stat.)
Clarify utility responsibilities: which utilities tenant pays vs landlord; if sub-metering or cost allocation used, method must be explained. (See DATCP guide)
Photographs and description must reflect the actual unit offered not simply a model unit or representation unless explicitly disclosed.
Provide screening criteria upfront: income, credit/rental history, guarantor/co-signer policy, student/young-professional or roommate eligibility rules where applicable.
Confirm availability: the unit listed must be genuinely available; if status changes (leased, held, unavailable), the listing must be promptly updated or removed.

Prohibited Practices:

Advertising units not genuinely available without timely update of status.
Misrepresenting material facts—bed/bath count, square footage, condition, finishes, view, amenities, location.
Using “starting at/from” pricing without full disclosure of eligibility, timing, and unit availability.
Hiding or omitting material fees such that a reasonable renter is misled about total cost.
Bait-and-switch: advertising one unit or terms then offering materially different unit/terms without disclosure.

Legal/Regulatory Context:
Wisconsin’s residential landlord-tenant laws are primarily codified in Wis. Stat. Chapter 704 and associated administrative code (ATCP 134) for regulated property rental. Federal truth-in-advertising and fair housing laws likewise apply.

3. Fair Housing & Equal Access

Landlords must comply with:

The federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.).
Wisconsin state non-discrimination statutes and any local overlays.
Landlords must:
Apply neutral, consistently enforced screening criteria to all applicants, regardless of protected classes (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status).
Provide reasonable accommodations or modifications for persons with disabilities as required by law.
Avoid discriminatory or exclusionary language/practices in advertising, screening, communications or leasing.
Maintain documentation of screening criteria, decisions made, and any accommodation/modification requests.

4. Communication Standards & Platform Responsiveness

To align with Tentunit’s student/young-professional rental focus and maintain platform integrity, landlords must:

Acknowledge listing inquiries, application submissions, maintenance/repair requests (via Tentunit portal or other documented channel) within 24 hours, and provide a substantive update within 48 hours.
Keep applicants informed of their status (approved, denied, wait-list) and keep tenants informed of scheduled entries/inspections, maintenance work or changes to lease/house-rules.
Keep listing information current: any change to rent, fees, availability, utilities, amenities, or policies must be updated promptly.
Communicate professionally, respectfully and non-discriminatorily. Repeated failures to respond or abusive behaviour may result in listing suspension or account termination by Tentunit.

5. Lease Execution, Legal Compliance & Contract Terms

Leases executed via Tentunit (or for units listed via Tentunit) in Wisconsin must comply with state law and reflect best-practice standards.

Required Lease Elements & Obligations:

A written lease is strongly recommended. Wisconsin law requires certain deposit procedures tied to written agreements. (See Wis. Stat. § 704.28)
Lease must identify full legal name and address of landlord/agent for notices and service of process. (Best practice)
Lease must clearly specify: rent amount & due date; lease term (fixed or periodic); renewal/termination mechanics; security deposit amount & handling; all recurring/one-time fees; utility obligations; screening criteria; for student/young-professional housing any roommate/shared-housing rules, sub-letting policy, early-termination options.
Include required disclosures: e.g., federally required Lead-Based Paint Hazard disclosure (units built before 1978); any other Wisconsin required disclosures.
Lease must not include provisions that waive statutory tenant rights or permit unlawful “self-help” eviction (lock-out, utility shut-off). Wisconsin law protects tenants from improper eviction methods.
Termination/notice procedures must align with Wis. Stat. § 704.19 and other relevant sections.

6. Habitability, Maintenance & Repair Obligations

Landlords must deliver premises in safe, habitable, clean and code-compliant condition, and maintain them accordingly.
Key obligations include:

Maintain structural components: roof, walls, floors, windows/doors, stairways/porches/handrails in safe, usable condition.
Provide and maintain functioning utilities/systems if landlord’s obligation or required by code/lease: plumbing, electrical, sanitation, locks/egress.
Respond within a reasonable time to conditions materially affecting health or safety after tenant notice; document repair requests, scheduling, completion.
Keep documentation of repair requests: date/time of tenant notification, vendor/work-order, completion date/time, tenant notification, before/after photos.
Do not retaliate against tenant for lawfully requesting repairs, complaining about conditions or exercising statutory rights.

7. Entry, Inspections & Tenant Privacy

Landlords must respect tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment and ensure access/entry is lawful, documented, and reasonable.

Under Wis. Stat. § 704.07 and related code, landlord must provide notice of intent to enter where required (and cannot use improper entry methods).
Best practice (and Tentunit standard): Provide at least 24 hours’ written notice for non-emergency entry and limit entry to reasonable hours (e.g., 8 a.m.–8 p.m.).
Entry should be for legitimate purpose: repairs, inspections, showing to prospective tenants/purchasers, agreed improvements, or as described in lease.
Document: notice date/time, actual entry date/time, persons present, purpose of entry, condition observed, photos where applicable.
At move-out: Offer walkthrough inspection with tenant (or document inspection if tenant declines) and use a condition checklist with date-stamped photos to support deposit deductions and avoid disputes.

8. Security Deposit Handling & Administration

Wisconsin law under Wis. Stat. § 704.28 and Wis. Adm. Code ATCP 134 governs security deposits.

Key Rules:

Landlords must deliver or mail to tenant within 21 days the deposit (or balance) or an itemized list of deductions. (§ 704.28(1))
The landlord may only withhold those amounts lawfully permitted: unpaid rent, unpaid utilities, damages beyond normal wear & tear, and other charges provided in a separate “nonstandard rental provision” document.
There is no statewide cap on the amount of security deposit landlords may request (for most residential units).
Landlord must provide tenant with a “check-in” form within seven days of occupancy, giving tenant opportunity to list existing damages/defects so deposit is not charged for pre-existing damage. (ATCP 134.06(1))
If landlord fails to comply with the 21-day return deadline or deduction rules, the tenant may recover the full deposit plus additional damages and attorney’s fees.

Tentunit Requirements for Landlords in Wisconsin:

Use a move-in condition checklist, signed by landlord/agent and tenant at start of tenancy, with date-stamped photographs.
In the listing and lease, clearly disclose: the security deposit amount; conditions for withholding; timeline and method for return; tenant forwarding address requirement.
Maintain full ledger/documentation: deposit received date/amount; check-in checklist; any forwarding address; itemised deduction list (if any); refund date and method proof.
Ensure deposit or itemised deduction statement plus remaining balance is delivered within 21 days after lease termination and tenant vacates.
Avoid labeling any portion of deposit as “non-refundable” unless lawful and clearly disclosed; ensure compliance with state deposit regulations.
If property changes ownership/management during tenancy: ensure proper transfer of deposit obligation or refund notice to tenant per statute.

9. Student-Housing & Young-Professional Specific Standards

Given Tentunit’s focus on student and young-professional renters, landlords must adopt elevated standards:

In listings clearly disclose: proximity to campus/university; public-transport/parking policy and cost; sub-letting or early-lease-release policy; roommate/shared-housing rules if applicable; renewal/non-renewal process.
Provide digital onboarding materials tailored for young renters: move-in orientation, roommate/house-share rules, utility/Internet setup instructions, local transport/campus orientation, emergency contact info.
Avoid practices seen as predatory toward students/young professionals (excessive non-refundable fees, ambiguous early-termination clauses, forced guarantor/co-signer without alternative).
Maintain mobile/app-friendly communication channels; quick responses; clearly defined house-rules (shared spaces cleaning, guest/party noise policy, roommate obligations) aligned with statutory tenant protections; clearly disclosed in listing and lease and enforced fairly and consistently.

10. Documentation, Audit, Compliance & Platform Enforcement

Landlords must operate at institutional-level compliance and maintain robust documentation; Tentunit retains strong enforcement rights.

Record-Keeping Requirements:
For each unit/tenancy landlords must maintain:

Listing metadata: upload date/time, photo version history, fee schedule changes, availability updates.
Screening/application logs: inquiry date/time, screening criteria applied, applications received, approvals/denials, communications archived.
Executed lease file: signed lease (digital or paper), amendments/renewals, disclosures, guarantor/co-signer documentation if applicable.
Maintenance/repair logs: tenant request date/time, vendor/work-order reference, completion date/time, tenant notification, before/after photos.
Entry/inspection logs: notice date/time, actual entry date/time, persons present, purpose, condition observed, photographic evidence if applicable.
Security deposit records: deposit amount & date collected; check-in checklist; tenant forwarding address; itemised deduction statements if any; refund date and proof of mailing/transfer.
Communication logs: listing inquiries, application status updates, maintenance scheduling, entry/inspection notices, lease renewal/termination communications via Tentunit portal or documented alternate channel.

Enforcement Rights of Tentunit:
Tentunit may:

Audit landlord compliance (listing practices, lease documentation, maintenance/entry logs, deposit handling) at any time without prior notice.
Suspend or remove listings for material or repeated non-compliance with this Statement, Tentunit policies or Wisconsin/federal law.
Freeze or withhold landlord payouts tied to units flagged for unresolved compliance issues (eg. deposit disputes, habitability complaints).
Terminate landlord’s platform account permanently for serious or repeated violations.
Report non-compliance or unlawful conduct to relevant regulatory agencies (e.g., Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection) when applicable.
Seek recovery of damages, attorneys’ fees and enforcement costs where permitted by law.

11. Indemnification

Landlord shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Tentunit, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and contractors from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:

Landlord’s breach of this Statement or any Tentunit policy;
Landlord’s violation of any federal, state or local housing/tenant-landlord laws/regulations;
Landlord’s mis-representation of listing, unit condition, availability, terms or fees;
Tenant claims or disputes arising from landlord’s acts or omissions;
Platform investigations or regulatory enforcement triggered by landlord non-compliance.

12. Governing Law & Reference Statutes

Wisconsin Statutory & Reference Materials:

Wis. Stat. § 704.28 – Security deposits: timeline, itemised deductions, refund obligations.
Wis. Adm. Code ATCP 134 – Check-in/check-out procedures, listing of defects, itemised deduction requirements.
Tenant Rights & Responsibilities Guide, Wisconsin DATCP.
Additional security deposit and landlord-tenant practice resources (Tenant Resource Center, DoorLoop).

Federal Law Foundations:

Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.)
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (for units built before 1978)
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) for eligible tenants