Wisconsin Eviction Notice Overview
Wisconsin is a true 14-day cure state under Wis. Stat. §704.17(2)(b). When a tenant breaches a condition of the lease, the landlord must give 14 days’ written notice to cure or vacate. Wisconsin’s eviction statute (Chapter 799) governs small claims eviction proceedings. Cases are filed in Small Claims Court.
Milwaukee County, Dane County (Madison), Waukesha County, and Brown County (Green Bay) handle the highest volumes. Wisconsin’s process is moderately fast. For month-to-month tenancies without cause, 28 days’ notice is required. For non-payment, a separate 5-day notice applies. Milwaukee has a mandatory mediation program for evictions.
14 Days
Cure period
$94.50–$265
Small Claims Court
Written
Notice required
4–7 Wks
Total process
Wisconsin Is a True 14-Day Cure State
Under Wis. Stat. §704.17(2)(b), if a tenant breaches any condition of the lease other than non-payment, the landlord must give at least 14 days’ written notice. The notice must specify the breach and state that the tenant has 14 days to cure or the tenancy will terminate. If the tenant cures, the tenancy continues.
Wisconsin Notice Periods
14-day cure: Lease violations (Wis. Stat. §704.17(2)(b))
5-day notice: Non-payment of rent (§704.17(2)(a))
14-day unconditional: If violation is incurable
28-day termination: Month-to-month without cause (§704.19)
5-day notice: Drug-related criminal activity (§704.17(2)(c))
Common Violations Addressed by This Notice in Wisconsin
- Unauthorized pets or animals
- Unauthorized occupants
- Excessive noise or disturbances
- Property damage
- Failure to maintain
- Operating businesses without permission
Wisconsin Legal Requirements
Wisconsin courts require strict compliance with notice requirements. A deficient notice will result in dismissal of the eviction case, wasting time and filing fees. Here are the mandatory elements:
- Written Notice: Required under Wis. Stat. §704.17
- 14-Day Cure: State 14 days to cure with exact deadline date
- Specific Breach: Describe the lease condition violated
- Termination Warning: State that failure to cure will terminate the tenancy
- Landlord Info: Name, address, phone
Serving the Notice in Wisconsin
Proper service is critical in Wisconsin. The method of delivery determines when the notice period starts running and must be documented for court proceedings.
Personal Service
Hand to tenant. 14-day period starts the next day.
Post and Mail
Post on door and mail via first-class mail.
Certified Mail
Via certified mail for documentation.
Wisconsin Eviction Timeline
The complete eviction process in Wisconsin, from notice to physical removal, follows this general timeline for uncontested cases:
Wisconsin Eviction Fees & Costs
Below are the typical costs associated with the eviction process in Wisconsin. Fees may vary by county or court location.
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Small Claims Court Filing | $94.50 – $265 |
| Sheriff Service | $30 – $55 |
| Writ of Restitution | $25 – $50 |
| Sheriff Execution | $50 – $100 |
| Attorney Fees | $500 – $2,000 |
Sample Wisconsin Eviction Notice
Below is a preview of a Wisconsin-compliant eviction notice. The generated document includes all elements required under WI law.
14-DAY NOTICE TO CURE BREACH OR VACATE
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §704.17(2)(b)
TO (TENANT):
Name: [Tenant Full Legal Name]
Address: [Wisconsin Property Address]
VIOLATION / GROUNDS:
[Detailed description of violation with dates]
DEMAND
You have fourteen (14) days to cure the above breach of your lease. Failure to cure will terminate your tenancy and eviction proceedings will be commenced.