DisputeKit / States / Wisconsin
Your consumer rights in Wisconsin
What Wisconsin and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
21 days. Under Wisconsin Statutes § 704.28(4), a landlord must return the security deposit, less any lawful deductions, together with a written statement describing each item withheld and the amount withheld for it within 21 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. A court may also award twice the tenant's pecuniary loss (generally the amount wrongfully withheld), together with costs and reasonable attorney fees, for a violation of the security deposit rules in ATCP 134.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Wisconsin has no automatic-renewal statute. For subscriptions sold online, the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires a simple way to stop recurring charges, and Wisconsin's general consumer protection law applies.
Small claims and complaints in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin consumer law
- Wisconsin Statutes § 100.20(1)
- Where to file a complaint
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Consumer Complaint
- Small claims limit
- $10,000 for most money claims in small claims court (lower limits apply to some claim types, such as personal injury)
- Filing fee
- About $94.50 in most counties (varies by county and claim amount), plus service costs and any e-filing fee