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FACT BRIEF

Can local governments in Wisconsin regulate rent prices?

By Hope Karnopp
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
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NO

Local governments in Wisconsin do not have the authority to enact rent control.

Under state law, "No city, village, town or county may regulate the amount of rent or fees charged for the use of a residential rental dwelling unit."

The state of Wisconsin also cannot control rents as, "There are no state laws limiting the amount of a rent increase," according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Many states, including most of Wisconsin's neighbors, have laws that prevent localities from enacting rent control. Others, such as Oregon and California, have statewide rent control.

Some cities have their own policies. Republican lawmakers in Minnesota unsuccessfully moved to cancel rent control measures approved by voters in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Officials in Madison have pointed to the state law to explain why they cannot regulate rent increases, some reaching 20% a year for student renters.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Wisconsin State Legislature Wis. Stat. § 66.1015 (1)
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities FAQs
National Multifamily Housing Council Rent Control Laws by State
KARE-TV Senate moves to ban rent control in Minnesota
Saint Paul Minnesota Rent Stabilization Rules and Processes (2022)
Wisconsin State Journal Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway considering strategies to prevent gentrification, displacement
The Daily Cardinal Multiple off-campus Madison apartments to increase prices
iPropertyManagement.com Minnesota Laws on Rent Increases & Fee Limits (Upd. 2022)
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Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.