Wisconsin Notice to Vacate

Wisconsin notice periods

Each period is the one LeaseCraft's record of the statute holds. Read it with the conditions under it: some periods are minimums and some apply unless the lease sets another. "Lease controls" means the record holds no statutory period for that situation, and "No pre-suit notice" means it holds no notice before filing. The source column shows the law and the date LeaseCraft read it on the official site (most recently 2026-09-27).

What the Wisconsin statute says

Ending a month-to-month tenancy: 28 days

• At least 28 days' written notice; a periodic tenancy 'can be terminated by notice under this section only at the end of a rental period' (704.19(2)(a), (3)).
• Parties may agree expressly on another method of termination if established by clear and convincing proof (704.19(2)(a)); an inaccurate termination date makes the notice effective at the next proper date (704.19(5)).

Ending a week-to-week tenancy: 7 days

• 704.19(3): 'If rent is payable on a basis less than monthly, notice at least equal to the rent-paying period is sufficient' — 7 days for weekly rent; must end at the end of a rental period.

Tenant staying after the lease ends: Lease controls

• 704.19(8): after a proper notice the tenant is not entitled to possession after the termination date; no separate holdover notice found in 704.17/704.19 (704.25 on holdover not researched).

Delivery, form and other Wisconsin rules

Statewide just-cause rule

No statewide just-cause requirement

• No just-cause requirement; either party may end a periodic tenancy by 28-day notice (704.19).

Wis. Stat. 704.19(2)(a) · read 2026-09-27

How the notice may be delivered

Wis. Stat. 704.21(1): (a) personal delivery to the tenant or leaving a copy at the tenant's usual place of abode in the presence of a competent family member at least 14 years old who is informed of the contents; (b) leaving a copy with any competent person apparently in charge of the rented premises or occupying it; (c) affixing a copy in a conspicuous place on the premises where it can be conveniently read AND mailing a copy; (d) registered or certified mail to the tenant's last known address; (e) service as a summons under 801.11. 704.19(7): notice is given on the day of giving/leaving, or the 2nd day after mailing (in-state address). 704.21(5): actual receipt cures an improper method.

Wis. Stat. 704.21; 704.19(7) · read 2026-09-27

Preparing the notice

The form asks for the tenancy, the date the tenant must leave and how the notice is delivered, and states the notice period plainly. You enter the period; where LeaseCraft has verified the Wisconsin period for ending a month-to-month tenancy, it refuses a shorter one.

Create a Wisconsin notice to vacate

A notice is not a court order and does not by itself remove a tenant. Cities and counties can add rules. LeaseCraft is not a law firm and this is not legal advice.

Notice to Vacate rules in nearby states

Notice to Vacate rules for every state