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Bill

SB 1076

Relating to: rent abatement and retaliatory conduct and granting rule-making authority.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dora Drake and 4 co-sponsors

Wisconsin bill establishes rent abatement procedures and anti-retaliation protections for tenants while authorizing rule-making agencies to define enforcement standards.

Read first time and referred to Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry
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Bill Summary · SB 1076

Legislative bill overview

SB 1076 addresses rent abatement procedures and protections against retaliatory landlord conduct in Wisconsin. The bill grants rule-making authority to establish standards for when tenants can withhold rent due to uninhabitable conditions and defines what constitutes illegal retaliation by landlords.

Why is this important

Rent abatement laws directly affect the leverage tenants have to force landlords to make necessary repairs without breaking their lease. Clear retaliation protections prevent landlords from evicting or punishing tenants for asserting their legal rights—a significant concern in tight housing markets where tenants fear losing their homes.

Potential points of contention

  • Rule-making scope: The bill's delegation of authority to establish abatement standards leaves specifics undefined, raising questions about how broadly or narrowly agencies will interpret "uninhabitable" conditions and rent reduction percentages
  • Landlord compliance costs: Property owners may argue that rent abatement without clear timelines for repairs creates financial hardship, particularly for small landlords managing multiple units
  • Retaliation definition: Determining what constitutes illegal retaliation versus legitimate business decisions (like non-renewal of leases) will be contentious, as landlords may claim economic necessity for actions tenants view as punitive

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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