Security Deposit Demand Letter — Wisconsin
SECURITY DEPOSIT DEMAND LETTER
Wisconsin
Date: [DATE]
To: [LANDLORD OR PROPERTY MANAGER NAME]
[MAILING ADDRESS]
From: [FORMER TENANT NAME(S)]
[CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS]
[PHONE OR EMAIL]
Rental premises: [FULL STREET ADDRESS, UNIT, CITY, WI ZIP]
Security deposit paid: $[AMOUNT]
Rental agreement termination date: [DATE]
Date tenant vacated or was removed: [DATE]
Date landlord learned of vacancy, if after termination: [DATE OR NOT APPLICABLE]
Start of new tenant's tenancy, if rerented before agreement termination: [DATE OR NOT APPLICABLE]
Dear [NAME]:
I write about the security deposit for the premises above. Wisconsin law requires the landlord to deliver or mail the refundable balance within 21 days after the applicable date under Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4) and Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06(2). If any amount is withheld, ATCP § 134.06(4) also requires a written statement describing each claim and the amount withheld for that claim within that period.
Applicable 21-day starting date: [DATE]. This is the date ☐ the rental agreement ended when I vacated on that date; ☐ the rental agreement ended after I vacated earlier; ☐ a new tenant's tenancy began before my rental agreement ended; or ☐ you learned that I vacated or was removed after the rental agreement termination date. Deadline: [DATE 21 DAYS AFTER APPLICABLE EVENT].
As of this letter, I have received $[AMOUNT] of my deposit and ☐ no written itemization ☐ the itemization dated [DATE] ☐ another response: [DETAILS]. I dispute the following withholding:
| Claimed deduction or omission | Amount disputed | Specific reason |
|---|---|---|
| [ITEM / MISSING REFUND] | $[AMOUNT] | [WHY NOT ALLOWED OR WHY STATEMENT IS INCOMPLETE] |
| [ITEM] | $[AMOUNT] | [REASON] |
Wis. Stat. § 704.28(1)-(2) limits withholding to reasonably necessary amounts for permitted reasons. Section 704.28(3) excludes normal wear and tear and other losses for which a tenant cannot reasonably be held responsible. Please explain or correct each item identified above.
Deposit paid: $[AMOUNT]
Amount already returned: $[AMOUNT]
Amount still claimed: $[AMOUNT]
Please deliver $[AMOUNT STILL CLAIMED] to [PAYEE] at [ADDRESS] by [RESPONSE DATE], and provide any itemized statement still owed. If you disagree, please send a written explanation identifying the basis and amount for each deduction by that date.
If a court finds a violation of an order issued under Wis. Stat. § 100.20 that caused a pecuniary loss, § 100.20(5) provides for twice the amount of that loss, costs, and a reasonable attorney fee. I reserve any remedy available under applicable law. This letter does not add that potential recovery to the deposit amount demanded above.
Sincerely,
______________________________
[FORMER TENANT OR AUTHORIZED COUNSEL NAME]
[CONTACT INFORMATION]
Enclosures: [DEPOSIT PAYMENT RECORD / LEASE / MOVE-IN OR MOVE-OUT RECORD / LANDLORD'S ITEMIZATION / OTHER]
About this template
- Last updated
- October 5, 2026
- Citations checked
- October 5, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin
- Category
- Demand Letters
Legal authority
- Wis. Stat. § 704.28(1)-(4)
- Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06(2)-(4)
- Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)
A demand letter is a formal written request to fix a problem or pay what is owed, sent before anyone files a lawsuit. It gives the other side a real chance to settle, creates a record of your attempt to resolve things, and in many cases (unpaid debts, insurance claims, broken contracts) starts a legally required response window. A well-written demand letter lays out what happened, what you want, and a deadline to act, which is often enough to get results without ever going to court.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on October 5, 2026.
Wis. Stat. § 704.28(1) (checked October 5, 2026): "When a landlord returns a security deposit to a tenant after the tenant vacates the premises, the landlord may withhold from the full amount of the security deposit only amounts reasonably necessary to pay for any of the following:"
Wis. Stat. § 704.28(3) (checked October 5, 2026): "This section does not authorize a landlord to withhold any amount from a security deposit for normal wear and tear, or for other damages or losses for which the tenant cannot reasonably be held responsible under applicable law."
Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4) (checked October 5, 2026): "A landlord shall deliver or mail to a tenant the full amount of any security deposit paid by the tenant, less any amounts that may be withheld under subs. (1) and (2), within 21 days after any of the following:"
Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06(4) (checked October 5, 2026): "The statement shall describe each item of physical damages or other claim made against the security deposit, and the amount withheld as reasonable compensation for each item or claim."
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