Wisconsin Security Deposit Deadline
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 the landlord keeps any amount, the landlord must give an itemized written accounting.
That trigger matters. Wisconsin is not a move-out-only deadline state. If the tenant leaves before the rental agreement ends, the return timing can run from re-rental under Wisconsin guidance.
Wisconsin timing chain
- Identify when the rental agreement ended.
- Confirm whether you left before the agreement ended.
- If you left early, look for re-rental facts that may affect the 21-day clock.
- Check whether the landlord mailed or delivered the deposit balance and any itemized written accounting.
Last known address
Wisconsin says the landlord should mail or deliver the deposit to the tenant's last known address. A tenant's failure to leave a forwarding address does not wipe out the tenant's right to demand some or all of the deposit.
Official sources
Source reviewed: April 2026.
What to do next
- Deposit not returned in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin security deposit demand letter
- Wisconsin security deposit evidence guide
- Wisconsin security deposit law
The free guide above explains the timing. The paid system gives you the Wisconsin-specific letters in order.