Wisconsin Security Deposit Demand Letter

How to write a Wisconsin security deposit demand letter and what timing, accounting, and deduction facts to include.

Wisconsin Security Deposit Demand Letter

A Wisconsin security deposit demand letter should state the rental address, rental agreement end date, move-out and key-return facts, deposit amount, what the landlord has or has not sent, and whether deductions were supported by an itemized written accounting.

The letter should not ignore Wisconsin's timing trigger. The baseline 21-day deadline is tied to the end of the rental agreement, and early move-out before the agreement ends can affect the timing.

What the letter should include

Sample Wisconsin security deposit demand letter

Re: Wisconsin Security Deposit Demand - [Rental Address]

Dear [Landlord Name],

I am writing about the security deposit for [Full Rental Address]. The rental agreement ended on [Rental Agreement End Date]. I moved out and returned keys and access devices on [Move-Out and Key Return Date]. The security deposit paid was [Deposit Amount].

Please use this address for any deposit refund, itemized written accounting, and related correspondence:

[Current Mailing Address]
[City, State, ZIP]

Wisconsin generally requires the landlord to mail or deliver the security deposit, less proper withholdings, within 21 days after the end of the rental agreement. If any money is withheld, Wisconsin requires an itemized written accounting.

As of today, I have not received [describe what is missing: the deposit refund, a refund balance, an itemized written accounting, or support for claimed deductions].

If you are claiming deductions, please identify each charge and the basis for it. I dispute any charge for ordinary wear and tear, routine across-the-board cleaning, painting, or carpet cleaning caused only by normal wear, or any charge not allowed by Wis. Stat. section 704.28 and Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06.

Please return the amount due from my security deposit or send a complete written resolution within 5 business days. I am preserving all rights available under Wisconsin law where the statute, rule, and facts support them.

Sincerely,

[Tenant Name]
[Tenant Email]
[Tenant Phone]

Related Wisconsin guides

The sample above helps you draft your own letter. The paid system gives you the full Wisconsin sequence: move-out notice, deposit-due request, entitlement notice, and final demand.

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