Wisconsin security deposit law
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Wisconsin?
The short answer
Wisconsin law gives your landlord 21 days after move out to return your deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, under Wis. Stat. § 134.06 / ATCP 134. Miss the deadline and the landlord loses legal ground and can owe up to 2x the deposit.
Under Wis. Stat. § 134.06 / ATCP 134, a Wisconsin landlord must return your security deposit within 21 days, counted from move out. The return must include an itemized statement listing every deduction.
What the deadline really means: it is not a suggestion. A landlord who misses it weakens any claim to your money and exposes themselves to statutory consequences. Courts can award up to 2x the deposit for wrongful withholding.
How to count the days: the clock starts at move out, not when the landlord gets around to an inspection. Mark the date you handed back keys and gave your forwarding address; that documentation decides deadline disputes.
If the deadline has already passed, the next step is a written demand: a formal letter citing Wis. Stat. § 134.06 / ATCP 134, the missed date, and the amount owed. Landlords who ignore informal texts frequently respond to a statute-cited demand sent by certified mail, because it shows you know the deadline and its consequences, and it becomes Exhibit A if you later file in Circuit Court — Small Claims.
The Wisconsin rules at a glance. Governing statute: Wis. Stat. § 134.06 / ATCP 134. Return deadline: 21 days. Statutory damages: up to 2x the deposit for wrongful withholding. Attorney's fees: recoverable in qualifying cases. Court for disputes: Circuit Court — Small Claims, claims up to $10,000.
Looking for the rules beyond this state? Security deposit return deadlines by state
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