What Can a Wisconsin Landlord Deduct From a Security Deposit?
In Wisconsin, a landlord may withhold security deposit money only for allowed categories, such as tenant damage, waste, or neglect; unpaid rent; actual utility amounts owed to the landlord; and certain properly authorized nonstandard rental provisions.
Wisconsin does not allow deductions for normal wear and tear.
Allowed withholding categories
- Tenant damage, waste, or neglect.
- Nonpayment of rent.
- Nonpayment of actual utility amounts owed to the landlord.
- Certain nonstandard rental provisions if properly authorized.
Charges to question
- Ordinary wear and tear.
- Routine across-the-board cleaning, painting, or carpet-cleaning charges caused only by normal wear.
- Vague charges with no itemized written accounting.
- Charges that do not fit the statute, DATCP rule, or a valid nonstandard rental provision.
- Charges for preexisting damage that should have been documented at check-in.
The itemized accounting matters
If the landlord deducts any money from the security deposit, Wisconsin requires an itemized written statement of accounting. The accounting should make the charge understandable enough to dispute.
Official sources
Source reviewed: April 2026.
Related Wisconsin guides
- Wisconsin security deposit deadline
- Wisconsin normal wear and tear
- Wisconsin security deposit evidence guide
- Wisconsin security deposit demand letter
The guide above helps you understand what can be deducted. The paid system gives you the letters that challenge unsupported deductions in the right order.