Evictions

• The requirements to use an attorney in eviction actions for properties owned by an LLC was removed. Now a member or agent/employee can do the eviction. 
• Courts are now required to hear evictions sooner and hear contested cases within 30 days (Evictions only, not rent or damages)
• Payments can be accepted from tenants in eviction without losing the case because of this.
• A mover and Sheriff are no longer required, although both can make the process simpler and more secure.
• Easier termination of a tenancy for criminal activity. Drug dealing allows a landlord to begin an eviction, but simple possession or use of drugs does not. The Wisconsin Protections for domestic abuse victims remain in place;  the RPA was instrumental on adding a provision that prevents municipalities from including domestic violence incidents in nuisance complaints.”
• 5 Day notices can now be used for breaches of a rental contract. A pit bull or other lease violation can now be responded to with a 5 Day rather than a 14 Day notice, allowing a tenant to correct their mistake and not lose their home.

General Provisions

• Illegally parked cars can be more easily removed from a property.
• The rights of the landlord to dispose of property left behind has been clarified, including property left behind in an eviction with the proper lease language. (Medicine and medical devices must still be stored for 7 days.)
• Tenants are now responsible for paying for infestations of pests caused by them or allowing them to flourish due to poor housekeeping.
• Landlords no longer have to fill out check-in sheets, they need only give tenants one to fill in themselves which must be turned in within seven days.
• You must now include a section in your rental agreement about protections for domestic abuse victims. As part of this municipalities may not include DV incidents in their nuisance laws.
• The requirements for nonstandard provisions were clarified.
• Security deposit return law has been clarified to 21 days after the sooner of re-renting the unit or lease end.
• Double damages are now only for security deposit issues or illegal lease clauses.
• Defective leases: Where only a portion of the lease is unenforceable then only that portion is invalid and not the whole lease with some exceptions for illegal lease provisions.
• Clarified that a holdover tenant owes double rent.

Changes to Local Government

• Prohibits rental property inspections except upon a complaint or as part of a program of regularly scheduled inspections conducted in compliance with state or federal law.
• Dramatically changed the “Re-Inspection Fee” by limiting the fee ceiling as well as allowing fees only when there was an actual, physical inspection. Previously, these fees doubled every 30 days until they were six times the original fee, plus often there was no actual inspection associated with the fee. The fees imposed upon these properties made it harder for someone to buy the property and put it back in service.”
• Prohibits rental property certification or licensing unless the requirement applies uniformly to all residential rental property owners, including owners of owner-occupied rental property.
• Retains the Milwaukee Property Recording Ordinance, but limits the ability to charge a fee.
• Prohibits an occupancy or transfer of tenancy fee on a rental unit.
• Prohibits municipal ordinances that restrict a tenant’s responsibility or a landlord’s right to recover for damages, waste to or neglect of the premises, or for any other costs, expenses, fees, payments, or damages for which the tenant is responsible under the lease or state laws.
• Prohibits ordinances requiring a landlord to provide tenants any information that is not required to be provided under federal or state laws. There is an exception for ordinances that have a “reasonable and defined objective of regulating the manufacturing of illegal narcotics.”
• Prohibits ordinances requiring a landlord to provide any information to the municipality about the tenant or landlord unless it is required by federal or state law except contact info for the owner or agent.
• Cities and counties cannot pass or enforce eviction moratoriums.