This blog post was written by Atty. Madeline Worgull, edited by Atty. Tristan R. PettitWhen a tenant stops paying rent, a landlord cannot simply demand the keys back or change the locks. This blog post provides a step-by-step guide to the eviction process for new landlords, focusing specifically on notice requirements and removal procedures under Wis. Stat. Ch. 704 for non-payment of rent. Our team has previously published blog posts addressing individual aspects of the eviction process; this blog…
Continue Reading Back to Basics – A Guide to Evicting a Tenant

Over the last several years, I have seen a substantial increase in government scrutiny, both federal and state, regarding the fees being charged by landlords and property management companies. In my opinion, this trend will only continue to grow in intensity and scope.Historically, many landlords viewed fees as a relatively minor issue. Application fees, administrative fees, amenity fees, re-rental fees, utility billing fees, convenience fees, technology fees, move-in fees, lease renewal fees, and similar charges became increasingly common throughout…
Continue Reading Landlords Should Expect Increased Government Scrutiny of Rental Housing Fees

This blog post was drafted by Atty. Gary Koch of Pettit Law Group S.C.Have you been considering joining your next local Landlord Association meeting? There is no better time than now to see what they are about. Attorney Pettit, Attorney Hayden, and Attorney Koch are all active in local Landlord Associations, so, if for no other reason, you could come say “hi”!Even if the only thing you’re doing is following this Blog, you’ve no doubt seen that a lot…
Continue Reading The Importance of Your Landlord Community

This blog post was drafted by Atty. Madeline Worgull of Pettit Law Group S.C.One of the most common mistakes we see at Pettit Law Group is assuming that all landlord–tenant relationships in Wisconsin are governed by the same rules. They are not.If you own or operate a manufactured or mobile home community, your obligations go well beyond Wis. Stat. ch. 704 and ATCP 134. You are also subject to Wis. Stat. § 710.15, which significantly restricts lease…
Continue Reading Manufactured and Mobile Home Communities Are Different — And the Statutes Make That Clear

UPDATE: March 12, 2026 – From the National Leased Housing Association, March 12, 2026 – HUD will publish an interim final rule tomorrow in the Federal Register, indefinitely delaying the effective date of the interim final rule, revoking the 30-day Notification Requirement Prior to Termination of Lease for Nonpayment of Rent rule. The interim final rule, published on February 26, 2026, was slated to become effective March 30, 2026. HUD will now treat the interim final rule as a proposed rule, which will only be effective after…
Continue Reading What Does HUD’s Decision To Revoke its 30-Day Notice Requirement Mean?

This blog post was written by Atty. David J. Espin of Pettit Law Group S.C. One of the most frequently asked questions I get when I’m assisting clients with forming limited liability companies is: What are a registered agent and a registered office, and why do they matter? Wis. Stat. § 183.0115 states that every Wisconsin limited liability company “shall designate and maintain a registered office in this state,” and that the “designation of a registered agent is…
Continue Reading Choosing A Registered Agent For Your Company

Good Morning EveryoneI am personally inviting you to attend an EXTREMELY important event — Capitol Day on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Madison.  We need hundreds of people in attendance to demonstrate to legislators that we care.The Koble issue remains unresolved as I write this.  Koble is the single most important issue facing landlords in Wisconsin.  If you are not aware of Koble, please read one of my earlier blog posts about this issue.   The draft legislation…
Continue Reading PLEASE ATTEND Capitol Day on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Madison

Written by Atty. Jennifer M. Hayden of Pettit Law Group S.C.]

Effective December 24, 2025, the USPS will adopt a “final rule” that, along with the implementation of the Regional Transportation Optimization (“RTO”) initiative, is likely to result in the date a mailing is postmarked being a day or more later than the date the mailing is delivered to USPS, unless you have it postmarked by hand by a USPS retail worker when you drop it off. The postmark…
Continue Reading When Will Your Mailing Be Postmarked?

This blog post is authored by Atty. Gary D. Koch of Pettit Law Group S.C.The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created in 2011 primarily in response to the 2008 financial crisis and recession. It has been tasked with protecting consumers from unfair financial practices from banks, lenders, other financial companies, and, yes, even landlords. The CFPB was one of the agencies charged with enforcing the CARES Act, and has been active in regulating tenant screening processes.Earlier this February,…
Continue Reading How Are Landlords Affected Now That The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Has Been Told to “stand down from performing any work task” by the President?

Do you want to learn everything there is to know about residential landlord-tenant law in Wisconsin? If so, then you must attend my next Landlord Boot Camp, which will be held on Saturday, November 16th, from 8:30 am – 6 pm at the Sonesta Hotel in WauwatosaI will cover everything a landlord needs to know about residential landlord-tenant law in Wisconsin.  We will be covering the all-important topics like:

• Screening and Qualifying the Prospective Applicant and Fair Housing

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Continue Reading Do you want to know everything about Residential Landlord-Tenant Law in Wisconsin? Then Attend My Landlord Boot Camp on November 16, 2024