Tenant Rights In Wisconsin

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Summary

Verbal agreements can constitute a lease in Wisconsin, making you potentially responsible for rent. Unlawful eviction and unwarranted charges can be disputed. Consider contacting Milwaukee County Small Claims Court for further assistance.

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I have a question about a previous housing situation. Until a few months ago, we were living in a duplex with one of my friends from college. He owns the home and we were paying him rent each month. However, he refused to give us a lease, even when we asked. He started to be very disrespectful towards us at the end of summer so we looked for housing elsewhere. We began moving out mid-november. He apparently decided that we were no longer welcome on December 1st, even though we were still moving things, and he changed the locks on us. After we finished moving out, he sent us a text asking for the last few months of "rent" and random charges he made up for cleaning when we moved out. Am I legally required to pay any of this? How do I ensure he does not contact myself or my family anymore? (He threatened to contact my family if I didn't pay.)
Hello ****, I'm sorry to hear about this situation. To provide the most accurate information, could you please tell me in which location this occurred?
Milwaukee, WI
Based on your location and situation, here's what you need to know:
- Wisconsin law states that a landlord must provide written notice before changing locks.
- Unlawful eviction could be considered, as he denied access without proper notice.
- You aren't obligated to pay additional charges without a lease agreement.
- For harassment, you can file a restraining order.
To handle this legally, consider contacting the Milwaukee County Small Claims Court.
Do I need to pay back rent since we had no lease?
In Wisconsin, even without a written lease, a verbal agreement can still constitute a lease. If you agreed to pay rent, you may be responsible for those payments. However, unlawful eviction and unwarranted charges can be disputed. The Small Claims Court could further assist.