Wisconsin Landlord Required Disclosures: ATCP 134 Compliance Guide

Wisconsin's disclosure requirements, codified in ATCP 134.04, are among the most detailed in the country. Landlords must provide multiple written disclosures before a tenant signs a lease or pays an earnest money deposit or security deposit. Failure to comply can void portions of the lease and expose landlords to financial penalties.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

1. Owner or Agent Identity

Before entering into any rental agreement, the landlord must disclose in writing:

• The name and address of the person authorized to collect rent and manage the property.
• The name and address of the person authorized to accept legal process (such as lawsuits) and tenant notices on behalf of the owner.

2. Habitability Deficiencies

Landlords must disclose any uncorrected building or housing code violations that pose a significant threat to a tenant's health or safety, including:

• Lack of hot or cold running water.
• Unsafe or non-functioning heating equipment.
• Lack of electricity or unsafe wiring.
• Structural deficiencies impacting health or safety.

The disclosure must be made before the lease is signed, and the landlord must show the prospective tenant the affected portions of the building along with any official notices of violation.

3. Utility Charges

If water, heat, or electricity is not included in the monthly rent, the landlord must disclose this fact in writing before entering into the lease or accepting any payment. Additional details must include:

• How shared utilities are billed and allocated among units.
• Any service fees associated with utility billing.
• The method used to calculate each tenant's share.

4. Nonstandard Rental Provisions

If the lease contains terms that authorize the landlord to take actions not expressly permitted by Wisconsin statute—such as entering the premises for reasons beyond those allowed by law—these terms must be listed on a separate document clearly titled "NONSTANDARD RENTAL PROVISIONS."

This document must be provided to the tenant before the lease is signed. Any nonstandard provision that is not properly disclosed may be unenforceable.

5. Lead-Based Paint (Federal Requirement)

For properties built before 1978, federal law requires landlords to provide:

• A completed Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form.
• The EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home."
• Any known records regarding the presence of lead-based paint hazards in the property.

6. Move-In / Move-Out Checklist Rights

Before collecting a security deposit, the landlord must inform the tenant in writing of two rights:

1. The tenant has 7 days after moving in to inspect the premises and document pre-existing damage.
2. The tenant has the right to receive an itemized list of damages for which the landlord proposes to withhold funds from the security deposit at move-out.

7. Domestic Abuse Protections

Wisconsin landlords are required to provide tenants with a written notice informing them of their rights related to domestic abuse protections, including the ability to terminate a lease early without penalty when domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking is involved.

8. Check-in Sheet

Along with the written notification of inspection rights, many Wisconsin landlords proactively provide a written check-in sheet so the tenant can document the condition of every room. While the law requires the disclosure of the right to inspect, providing the check-in sheet itself is a best practice.

Exemptions

Many of the ATCP 134 disclosure requirements do not apply to owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer dwelling units (i.e., a small landlord living on-site in a fourplex or smaller).

Penalties for Non-Disclosure

If a landlord fails to make a required disclosure, the affected lease provision may be unenforceable. Additionally, tenants may be able to recover damages, and the DATCP can impose fines and issue compliance orders against habitual violators.

How Landager Helps

With Landager, every required disclosure document—from the ATCP 134 Nonstandard Rental Provisions sheet to the Lead-Based Paint pamphlet—can be attached directly to your digital lease signing workflow. The platform prompts you before finalizing any lease to ensure no disclosure has been missed.

Back to Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.