Wisconsin Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (5-Day)
Create a free Wisconsin notice to pay rent or quit. Wisconsin requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit. Fill in the details, preview it live, and download a PDF or email it.
Wisconsin requirement
Wisconsin requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit. Wis. Stat. 704.17(1p)(a) & (2)(a): for a tenancy of one year or less (and year-to-year), the FIRST nonpayment default requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or vacate. If the tenant cured a prior nonpayment notice (or was allowed to stay) and defaults again within one year, the landlord may serve a 14-day no-cure notice instead. Separately, for a month-to-month tenancy the landlord may always elect a 14-day notice for nonpayment (704.17(1p)(a)). Days are calendar days counted from the day the notice is given (704.17(5)/704.19). For a tenancy of MORE than one year, the period is 30 days (704.17(3)(a)). The 5-day notice gives the tenant a right to cure by paying; the 14-day notice does not. Late fees/grace periods are governed by the lease, not statute.
Tenant Name(s)
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⚠ Wisconsin requires a 5-day notice for a notice to pay rent or quit; the count runs from the date of SERVICE, and some states exclude weekends/holidays — verify before relying on a date. Wis. Stat. 704.17(1p)(a) & (2)(a): for a tenancy of one year or less (and year-to-year), the FIRST nonpayment default requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or vacate. If the tenant cured a prior nonpayment notice (or was allowed to stay) and defaults again within one year, the landlord may serve a 14-day no-cure notice instead. Separately, for a month-to-month tenancy the landlord may always elect a 14-day notice for nonpayment (704.17(1p)(a)). Days are calendar days counted from the day the notice is given (704.17(5)/704.19). For a tenancy of MORE than one year, the period is 30 days (704.17(3)(a)). The 5-day notice gives the tenant a right to cure by paying; the 14-day notice does not. Late fees/grace periods are governed by the lease, not statute.
Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (Wisconsin)
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
Date of Notice: ________________
From (Landlord/Agent): [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME], [LANDLORD ADDRESS]
To: [TENANT NAME(S)], Tenant(s) in possession of: [PROPERTY ADDRESS]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that rent is now due and unpaid in the amount of $________. This amount is for unpaid RENT only and excludes late fees, utilities, and other charges unless your state and lease allow them.
You are required to PAY the full amount of rent due within 5 days after this notice is served on you, OR to vacate and surrender possession of the property. Payment must be made to [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] at [LANDLORD ADDRESS], by cash, check, or money order. If you mail payment, it must be RECEIVED by the deadline.
If you do not comply with this notice within the time stated, the landlord may begin legal proceedings to recover possession of the property under Wis. Stat. §§ 704.17, 704.19, 704.21 (notices); evictions filed under Wis. Stat. ch. 799 (small claims).
Only a court can order you to move out. The landlord may NOT lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities; doing so is illegal.
This notice is given without waiving, and the landlord expressly reserves, all other rights and remedies, including the right to recover unpaid rent and damages.
How this notice may be served: Wis. Stat. 704.21(1): notice may be served by (1) personal delivery to the tenant, or leaving a copy at the tenant's usual abode with a competent family member at least 14 years old; (2) leaving a copy with a person apparently in charge of/occupying the premises AND mailing a copy to the tenant's last-known address; (3) if other methods fail despite reasonable diligence, conspicuously affixing (posting) the notice on the premises AND mailing a copy; (4) registered or certified mail to the tenant's last-known address; or (5) serving as a summons is served. Improper service is still valid if the tenant actually received the notice, proven by clear and convincing evidence (704.21(5)). No extra mailing days are added to the statutory notice periods, but counting begins the day the notice is given.
_______________________________________
[LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] — Landlord / Authorized Agent
[LANDLORD ADDRESS]
Date: ________________
PROOF OF SERVICE
I served this notice on the tenant(s) on ____________ (date).
Method of service (use a method permitted in your state — see the service note above):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________ Date: ____________
Signature of person serving the notice
Email yourself a copy (PDF)
Self-help template, not legal advice. You cannot remove a tenant yourself — serve a proper notice and, if needed, file in court. Confirm Wisconsin and local rules first.
Wisconsin Notice to Pay Rent or Quit Rules
A Notice to Pay Rent or Quit is the first step a landlord takes when a tenant has not paid rent. It demands that the tenant pay the full amount owed within the state's required number of days or move out, before the landlord can file for eviction.
Wisconsin requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit. Wis. Stat. 704.17(1p)(a) & (2)(a): for a tenancy of one year or less (and year-to-year), the FIRST nonpayment default requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or vacate. If the tenant cured a prior nonpayment notice (or was allowed to stay) and defaults again within one year, the landlord may serve a 14-day no-cure notice instead. Separately, for a month-to-month tenancy the landlord may always elect a 14-day notice for nonpayment (704.17(1p)(a)). Days are calendar days counted from the day the notice is given (704.17(5)/704.19). For a tenancy of MORE than one year, the period is 30 days (704.17(3)(a)). The 5-day notice gives the tenant a right to cure by paying; the 14-day notice does not. Late fees/grace periods are governed by the lease, not statute. The notice is served under Wis. Stat. §§ 704.17, 704.19, 704.21 (notices); evictions filed under Wis. Stat. ch. 799 (small claims).
How to Serve a Notice to Pay Rent or Quit in Wisconsin
Wis. Stat. 704.21(1): notice may be served by (1) personal delivery to the tenant, or leaving a copy at the tenant's usual abode with a competent family member at least 14 years old; (2) leaving a copy with a person apparently in charge of/occupying the premises AND mailing a copy to the tenant's last-known address; (3) if other methods fail despite reasonable diligence, conspicuously affixing (posting) the notice on the premises AND mailing a copy; (4) registered or certified mail to the tenant's last-known address; or (5) serving as a summons is served. Improper service is still valid if the tenant actually received the notice, proven by clear and convincing evidence (704.21(5)). No extra mailing days are added to the statutory notice periods, but counting begins the day the notice is given. A defective notice or improper service can get an eviction dismissed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days is a Wisconsin notice to pay rent or quit?
Wisconsin requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit. Wis. Stat. 704.17(1p)(a) & (2)(a): for a tenancy of one year or less (and year-to-year), the FIRST nonpayment default requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or vacate. If the tenant cured a prior nonpayment notice (or was allowed to stay) and defaults again within one year, the landlord may serve a 14-day no-cure notice instead. Separately, for a month-to-month tenancy the landlord may always elect a 14-day notice for nonpayment (704.17(1p)(a)). Days are calendar days counted from the day the notice is given (704.17(5)/704.19). For a tenancy of MORE than one year, the period is 30 days (704.17(3)(a)). The 5-day notice gives the tenant a right to cure by paying; the 14-day notice does not. Late fees/grace periods are governed by the lease, not statute.
What happens after I serve the notice?
If the tenant does not comply by the deadline, you can file an eviction case in Wisconsin court. Only a court order, enforced by a sheriff or constable, can remove the tenant.
Can I email or download the notice?
Yes — fill in the form above, then download the PDF or email a copy to yourself. Serve it on the tenant using a method Wisconsin allows.
Disclaimer
This Wisconsin notice to pay rent or quit generator is a self-help tool for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Confirm Wisconsin and local requirements before serving.