The rule
- Deposit limit
- No limit
- Return deadline
- 21 days
- Interest owed
- Not required
- Itemized deductions
- Required
- The limit
- No statutory limit.
- The deadline
- Within 21 days after the rental agreement ends (or after a new tenancy begins or the landlord learns the tenant left, in early or late move-outs), with a written statement accounting for each amount withheld.
- Interest
- State law doesn’t require interest on the deposit.
- Deductions
- The landlord must give you an itemized list of anything kept from the deposit.
- If it isn’t returned
- Violations are unfair trade practices; a tenant may recover twice the amount of the loss plus costs and reasonable attorney fees (Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)).
Law: Wis. Stat. § 704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06
Last reviewed September 30, 2026
Not legal advice. Statutes change; check the linked section.