Free Wisconsin Rental Application Form

A Wisconsin rental application is a real estate form used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property. They are sometimes known by other common names such as:

• Tenant applications 

• Rental lease applications

• Lease applications

• Application for a rental property

Each renter over 18 that will occupy the residence must complete their own individual tenant form.

Having a rental application can prove highly important to make sure you get the right tenant into your property. The process of screening prospective residents in this way allows you to discover any issues such as their inability to pay rent or the likelihood to cause a nuisance before signing a contract.

There are two main types of rental applications in Wisconsin. You must select the most relevant one depending on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the type of leasing agreement that will be used. 

Standard/General Wisconsin Rental Application

The most common type of vetting document used by WI landlords is a Wisconsin Standard Rental Application. This form can be customized according to the specific necessities of the property owner or manager. 

Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application 

Landlords of low-income tenants or those offering Section 8 Housing should use a HUD rental application. It is specifically designed to only include information that is allowed under subsidized housing rules.

When you fill in a simple rental application form for Wisconsin you’ll need to ask for some crucial data from the tenant to make the vetting process as effective as possible. 

When you create your own application for a rental property you should request the following information:

• Personal data

• Rental history

• Employment details

• Income information

• Credit history

• Personal references

• Permission for background checks

Additionally, the landlord must provide several legal disclosures on a standard rental application. They must report information on:

• The property’s condition

• Potential hazards to the tenant

• Shared utility arrangements

• Rent control rules

• Smoking policy

• The security deposit

• Associated fees

Wisconsin state has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with WI law, you may get sued by the applicant and face other legal consequences. 

Application Fee

According to (ATCP 134.05 (4)) WI landlords may only charge a maximum fee of $20 to cover any credit and background checks. This must be requested in advance of the checks being carried out.

Security Deposit

Wisconsin doesn’t set any limits on how much you can charge as a security deposit. However, it is recommended not to charge more than 1-2 months’ rent for this amount. 

The tenant will be permitted 7 days to inspect the property for any existing damage and report them to the landlord from the move-in date. Additionally, under (ATCP 134.06 (2)) this amount must be returned 21 days (minus any deductions if necessary) after the tenant has vacated the property.

Housing Discrimination Law

In Wisconsin, there is no specific state law relating to housing discrimination. However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is in place. The FHA states that it is illegal to discriminate based on the following characteristics: 

• Race

• Color

• Nationality

• Religion

• Sex

• Familial status

• Disability

• Criminal history

As a consequence, you are not allowed to ask for any of these details on a Wisconsin Rental Application form. You also may not use any of these as criteria in the decision-making process. 

Notice of Eligibility

Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for denial or approval. To prove that these facts were shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it. 

Consent Credit Check

Within Wisconsin, federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, under WI law a copy of any reports carried out must also be provided to the tenant.

Looking over a readily prepared template of a rental application can make it much easier to create your own. Review our document sample below to get more familiar with what your application form will look like when it’s completed.

Managing real estate can be tricky and it is essential to ensure that your activities are legally compliant at all times. Take advantage of the full range of property management legal documents below whenever you need to perform crucial tasks:

• Wisconsin Residential Lease Agreement

• Wisconsin Eviction Notice