Wisconsin Code § 704.17

Notice terminating tenancies for failure to pay rent or other breach by tenant
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(1g) DEFINITION. In this
section, “rent” includes any rent that is past due and any late fees
owed for rent that is past due.
(1p) MONTH-TO-MONTH AND WEEK-TO-WEEK TENANCIES.

(a) If a month-to-month tenant or a week-to-week tenant fails to
pay rent when due, the tenant’s tenancy is terminated if the landlord gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to pay rent or vacate on or before a date at least 5 days after the giving of the notice and if the tenant fails to pay accordingly. A month-to-month
tenancy is terminated if the landlord, while the tenant is in default
in payment of rent, gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to
vacate on or before a date at least 14 days after the giving of the
notice.
(b) If a month-to-month tenant commits waste or a material
violation of s. 704.07 (3) or breaches any covenant or condition
of the tenant’s agreement, other than for payment of rent, the tenancy can be terminated if any of the following applies:
1. The landlord gives the tenant a notice that requires the tenant to either remedy the default or vacate the premises no later
than a date at least 5 days after the giving of the notice, and the
tenant fails to comply with the notice. A tenant is considered to
be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of the notice the tenant takes reasonable steps to remedy the default and
proceeds with reasonable diligence, or if damages are adequate
protection for the landlord and the tenant makes a bona fide and
reasonable offer to pay the landlord all damages for the tenant’s
breach. If, within one year from receiving a notice under this subdivision, the tenant again commits waste or breaches the same or
any other covenant or condition of the tenant’s rental agreement,
other than for payment of rent, the tenant’s tenancy is terminated
if the landlord gives the tenant notice to vacate on or before a date
at least 14 days after the giving of the notice.
2. The landlord gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to
vacate on or before a date at least 14 days after the giving of the
notice.
(c) A property owner may terminate the tenancy of a week-toweek or month-to-month tenant if the property owner receives
written notice from a law enforcement agency, as defined in s.
165.83 (1) (b) , or from the office of the district attorney, that a
nuisance under s. 823.113 (1) or (1m) (b) exists in that tenant’s
rental unit or was caused by that tenant on the property owner’s
property and if the property owner gives the tenant written notice
requiring the tenant to vacate on or before a date at least 5 days after the giving of the notice. The notice shall state the basis for its
issuance and the right of the tenant to contest the termination of
tenancy in an eviction action under ch. 799. If the tenant contests
the termination of tenancy, the tenancy may not be terminated
without proof by the property owner by the greater preponderance of the credible evidence of the allegation in the notice from
the law enforcement agency or the office of the district attorney
that a nuisance under s. 823.113 (1) or (1m) (b) exists in that tenant’s rental unit or was caused by that tenant.
(2) TENANCIES UNDER A LEASE FOR ONE YEAR OR LESS, AND
YEAR-TO-YEAR TENANCIES. (a) If a tenant under a lease for a
term of one year or less, or a year-to-year tenant, fails to pay any
installment of rent when due, the tenant’s tenancy is terminated if
the landlord gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to pay
rent or vacate on or before a date at least 5 days after the giving of
the notice and if the tenant fails to pay accordingly. If a tenant has
been given such a notice and has paid the rent on or before the
specified date, or been permitted by the landlord to remain in
possession contrary to such notice, and if within one year of any
prior default in payment of rent for which notice was given the
tenant fails to pay a subsequent installment of rent on time, the
tenant’s tenancy is terminated if the landlord, while the tenant is
in default in payment of rent, gives the tenant notice to vacate on
or before a date at least 14 days after the giving of the notice.
(b) If a tenant under a lease for a term of one year or less, or a
year-to-year tenant, commits waste or a material violation of s.
704.07 (3) or breaches any covenant or condition of the tenant’s
lease, other than for payment of rent, the tenant’s tenancy is terminated if the landlord gives the tenant a notice requiring the tenant to remedy the default or vacate the premises on or before a
date at least 5 days after the giving of the notice, and if the tenant
fails to comply with such notice. A tenant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of such notice the
tenant takes reasonable steps to remedy the default and proceeds
with reasonable diligence, or if damages are adequate protection
for the landlord and the tenant makes a bona fide and reasonable
offer to pay the landlord all damages for the tenant’s breach. If
within one year from the giving of any such notice, the tenant
again commits waste or breaches the same or any other covenant
or condition of the tenant’s lease, other than for payment of rent,
the tenant’s tenancy is terminated if the landlord gives the tenant
notice to vacate on or before a date at least 14 days after the giving
of the notice.
(c) A property owner may terminate the tenancy of a tenant
who is under a lease for a term of one year or less or who is a
year-to-year tenant if the property owner receives written notice
from a law enforcement agency, as defined in s. 165.83 (1) (b), or
from the office of the district attorney, that a nuisance under s.
823.113 (1) or (1m) (b) exists in that tenant’s rental unit or was
caused by that tenant on the property owner’s property and if the
property owner gives the tenant written notice requiring the tenant to vacate on or before a date at least 5 days after the giving of
the notice. The notice shall state the basis for its issuance and the
right of the tenant to contest the termination of tenancy in an
eviction action under ch. 799. If the tenant contests the termination of tenancy, the tenancy may not be terminated without proof
by the property owner by the greater preponderance of the credible evidence of the allegation in the notice from the law enforcement agency or the office of the district attorney that a nuisance
under s. 823.113 (1) or (1m) (b) exists in that tenant’s rental unit
or was caused by that tenant.
(d) This subsection does not apply to week-to-week or monthto-month tenants.
(3) LEASE FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR. (a) If a tenant under a
lease for more than one year fails to pay rent when due, or commits waste, or breaches any other covenant or condition of the
tenant’s lease, the tenancy is terminated if the landlord gives the
tenant notice requiring the tenant to pay the rent, repair the waste,
or otherwise comply with the lease on or before a date at least 30
days after the giving of the notice, and if the tenant fails to comply with the notice. A tenant is deemed to be complying with the
notice if promptly upon receipt of the notice the tenant takes reasonable steps to remedy the default and proceeds with reasonable
diligence, or if damages are adequate protection for the landlord
and the tenant makes a bona fide and reasonable offer to pay the
landlord all damages for the tenant’s breach; but in case of failure
to pay rent, all rent due must be paid on or before the date specified in the notice.
(b) A property owner may terminate the tenancy of a tenant
who is under a lease for a term of more than one year if the property owner receives written notice from a law enforcement
agency, as defined in s. 165.83 (1) (b), or from the office of the
district attorney, that a nuisance under s. 823.113 (1) or (1m) (b)
exists in that tenant’s rental unit or was caused by that tenant on
the property owner’s property and if the property owner gives the
tenant written notice to vacate on or before a date at least 5 days
after the giving of the notice. The notice shall state the basis for
its issuance and the right of the tenant to contest the termination
of tenancy in an eviction action under ch. 799. If the tenant contests the termination of tenancy, the tenancy may not be terminated without proof by the property owner by the greater preponderance of the credible evidence of the allegation in the notice
from the law enforcement agency or the office of the district at-

torney that a nuisance under s. 823.113 (1) or (1m) (b) exists in
that tenant’s rental unit or was caused by that tenant.
(3m) CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. (a) In this subsection:
1. “Controlled substance” has the meaning given in s. 961.01
(4).
2. “Drug-related criminal activity” means criminal activity
that involves the manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance. “Drug-related criminal activity” does not include the
manufacture, possession, or use of a controlled substance that is
prescribed by a physician for the use of a disabled person, as defined in s. 100.264 (1) (a), and that is manufactured by, used by,
or in the possession of the disabled person or in the possession of
the disabled person’s personal care worker or other caregiver.
(b) 1. Notwithstanding subs. (1p) (b), (2) (b), and (3) (a), and
except as provided in par. (c), a landlord may, upon notice to the
tenant, terminate the tenancy of a tenant, without giving the tenant an opportunity to remedy the default, if the tenant, a member
of the tenant’s household, or a guest or other invitee of the tenant
or of a member of the tenant’s household engages in any criminal
activity that threatens the health or safety of, or right to peaceful
enjoyment of the premises by, other tenants; engages in any criminal activity that threatens the health or safety of, or right to
peaceful enjoyment of their residences by, persons residing in the
immediate vicinity of the premises; engages in any criminal activity that threatens the health or safety of the landlord or an agent
or employee of the landlord; or engages in any drug-related criminal activity on or near the premises. The notice shall require the
tenant to vacate on or before a date at least 5 days after the giving
of the notice. The notice shall state the basis for its issuance; include a description of the criminal activity or drug-related criminal activity, the date on which the activity took place, and the
identity or description of the individuals engaging in the activity;
advise the tenant that he or she may seek the assistance of legal
counsel, a volunteer legal clinic, or a tenant resource center; and
state that the tenant has the right to contest the allegations in the
notice before a court commissioner or judge if an eviction action
is filed. If the tenant contests the termination of tenancy, the tenancy may not be terminated without proof by the landlord by the
greater preponderance of the credible evidence of the allegation
in the notice.
2. To terminate a tenancy under this subsection, it is not necessary that the individual committing the criminal activity or
drug-related criminal activity has been arrested for or convicted
of the criminal activity or drug-related criminal activity.
(c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to a tenant who is the victim,
as defined in s. 950.02 (4), of the criminal activity.
(4) FORM OF NOTICE AND MANNER OF GIVING. Notice must
be in writing and given as specified in s. 704.21. If so given, the
tenant is not entitled to possession or occupancy of the premises
after the date of termination specified in the notice.
(4m) EFFECT OF INCORRECT AMOUNT IN NOTICE. A notice
for failure to pay rent or any other amount due under the rental
agreement that includes an incorrect statement of the amount due
is valid unless any of the following applies:
(a) The landlord’s statement of the amount due is intentionally incorrect.
(b) The tenant paid or tendered payment of the amount the
tenant believes to be due.
(5) CONTRARY PROVISION IN THE LEASE. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), provisions in the lease or rental agreement for
termination contrary to this section are invalid except in leases for
more than one year.
(b) Provisions in any lease or rental agreement for termination
contrary to sub. (3m) are invalid.

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