The Wisconsin Rental Application is a document that is presented to an applicant who is interested in renting residential property. The landlord will need the applicant’s personal information, income information, credit history (through credit check), rental history, and criminal history (through background check). Once the landlord has verified all this information, they can better determine the eligibility of the applicant. By signing the rental application form, the applicant is allowing the landlord to perform all the necessary screening services they need.

Application Fee (§ 134.05) – There is no maximum amount a landlord may charge for an application fee, or “earnest money deposit;” however, a landlord may only charge a maximum of $20 for a credit check specifically.

Security Deposit (§ 134.06) – The state of Wisconsin has established no limit to the amount landlord’s may charge tenants for a security deposit.

How to Write

Step 1 – Applicant Information – Enter the following information (required):

• Applicant’s Full Name
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Present address
• Landlord’s Name
• Landlord’s Phone
• Landlord Email Address
• Rent per month
• Lease dates
• AND
• Previous address
• Landlord
• Landlord’s Phone
• Landlord Email
• Rent per month
• Lease dates

Step 2 – Occupants – Provide the following information regarding all other occupants who shall reside on the premises as follows:

• Full Name
• Relationship to the Applicant
• Date of Birth

Step 3 – Pets – Enter:

• Pet Type
• Breed
• Color
• Name
• Age
• Weight

Step 4 – Co-Signer – If references or income are not adequate, a co-signer may be required, if so, provide the following:

• Co-Signer’s Full Name
• Relationship to Applicant
• Address
• Phone

Step 5 – Emergency Contact – Enter the following information:

• Name
• Relationship to Applicant
• Address
• Phone

Step 6 – Income Information – Provide all required information:

• Employer
• Address
• Position
• Supervisor
• Gross Income Monthly
• Length of employment
• Phone
• For additional employment or income other than employment (SSI, Section 8, financial aid, parents, child support, alimony, etc.) applicant must list the source of income and monthly amount):
• Source
• Monthly amount
• Source
• Monthly amount
• Enter Applicant’s Total Monthly Income

Step 7 – Rental Criteria

• Applicant must read and agree to all of the information in this section prior to providing signature

Step 8 – Personal Information

• Check the appropriate box indicating the type of ID being provided
• Driver’s License Number
• State Issued ID (if any)
• Expiration Date
• Address Listed

Step 9 – Questions must be answered to be considered for tenancy

• Have you ever been convicted of a crime (not including traffic violations)? If “Yes”, please explain
• Have you ever been evicted or are currently in the process of being evicted? If “Yes”, please explain
• Have you and a Landlord ever mutually agreed to terminate your lease? If “Yes”, please explain
• Do you wish to receive a written explanation of the denial of tenancy? Local ordinances require us to ask this question, state law does not require us to answer

Step 10 – Earnest Money/Deposit – Landlord must enter:

• The amount of the deposit required
• The amount of deposit received by the landlord

Step 11 – Signature

• Applicant’s Signature
• Date of Applicant’s Signature
• Home Phone
• Work Phone
• Cell Phone
• Applicant’s Email Address