A standard rental agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of a rental agreement between a landlord and a tenant. In Wisconsin, the state has specific requirements that must be met in order for a rental agreement to be considered valid.
First and foremost, the rental agreement must include the names and addresses of both the landlord and the tenant. It should also include the address of the rental property, the term of the lease (start and end dates), and the amount of rent that will be charged.
In addition to these basic requirements, there are several other important clauses that should be included in a standard rental agreement in Wisconsin. These include:
– Late fees: The rental agreement should clearly state the amount of any late fees that will be charged if the rent is not paid on time.
– Security deposit: The agreement should outline the amount of the security deposit that the tenant will be required to pay, as well as any conditions under which it may be withheld.
– Utilities: If any utilities (such as water or electricity) are included in the rent, this should be clearly stated in the rental agreement.
– Maintenance and repairs: The agreement should outline which party is responsible for maintenance and repairs of the property, and under what circumstances.
– Subleasing: If the tenant is allowed to sublease the rental property, the conditions for doing so should be clearly stated in the rental agreement.
It`s important to note that the Wisconsin state legislature recently passed a law that limits the amount of security deposit a landlord can collect from a tenant. Landlords may not collect more than one month`s rent as a security deposit for an initial lease term, or more than the total amount of rent due for any renewal term.
In addition to these requirements, there are certain clauses that should not be included in a standard rental agreement in Wisconsin. For example, it is illegal to include clauses that waive the tenant`s rights to legal remedies or that allow the landlord to use self-help measures (such as changing the locks) to evict the tenant.
In summary, a standard rental agreement in Wisconsin should include all of the required information, as well as important clauses related to late fees, security deposits, utilities, maintenance and repairs, and subleasing. By following these guidelines, landlords can ensure that their rental agreements are legally valid and protect their rights as well as those of their tenants.