Wisconsin Rental Application

A landlord's tenant application with lawful screening questions, fee disclosure and FCRA consent, adjusted to your state's rules.

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Wisconsin rules that this document follows

Application fee limit$25.00 maximumSource: Wis. Stat. § 704.085(1) (landlord may charge actual cost, up to $25, of obtaining a consumer credit report; no fee if applicant provides a report less than 30 days old); Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.05(4)
Refund ruleLimited to actual credit-report cost; landlord must provide the applicant a copy of the reportSource: Wis. Stat. § 704.085(1) (landlord may charge actual cost, up to $25, of obtaining a consumer credit report; no fee if applicant provides a report less than 30 days old); Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.05(4)
Must give applicant a copy of screening reportYes
Criminal-history questionsNo state limit; HUD guidance requires individualized assessmentSource: No state limit (Madison and Dane County ordinances restrict conviction-record use)
Source of income protectedYes — vouchers and other lawful income must be consideredSource: Wis. Stat. § 106.50(1m)(L) (lawful source of income; courts hold landlords need not accept Section 8 — Knapp v. Eagle Prop. Mgmt., 54 F.3d 1272 (7th Cir. 1995))
Additional protected classesancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking
Holding depositEarnest money deposit must be returned by the end of the next business day after rejection or after applicant withdrawal (within 3 business days of paying); landlord may withhold actual costs only if the applicant withdraws after approval (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.05(2)–(3))

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Rental Application in Wisconsin

Use one application per adult. Collect the Social Security number only on the signed paper copy, never by email. Apply the same written criteria to every applicant and keep denied applications for at least two years in case of a fair-housing inquiry.

Charge only a fee that Wisconsin permits, give a receipt, and if you deny based on a consumer report send the FCRA adverse-action notice within a few days.

Frequently asked questions

Can a landlord charge an application fee in Wisconsin?

Yes, up to $25.00 (Wis. Stat. § 704.085(1) (landlord may charge actual cost, up to $25, of obtaining a consumer credit report; no fee if applicant provides a report less than 30 days old); Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.05(4)).

What questions are illegal on a rental application?

You may not ask about race, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability, nor about arrests without conviction. Wisconsin adds: ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking. This form omits those questions automatically.

Do I have to give the applicant a copy of the screening report?

Yes — Wisconsin requires it on request or with a denial, in addition to the federal FCRA adverse-action notice.

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Other states

FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.