If you’re a landlord in Wisconsin searching for a reliable 5 day eviction notice Wisconsin PDF, you’ve come to the right place. As a legal template specialist with over twelve years drafting eviction forms for property owners and management companies across the Midwest, I’ve helped hundreds of Wisconsin landlords serve compliant 5-day notices quickly and correctly. Below you’ll find my completely free, attorney-reviewed 5 day eviction notice Wisconsin template in downloadable PDF and Word format, plus a detailed guide on when and how to use it under current 2025 Wisconsin law.
A Wisconsin 5-day eviction notice – officially called a “5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate Premises” – is the required first step when a tenant fails to pay rent. Wisconsin Statute § 704.17(1p) and § 704.17(2) allow landlords to terminate a tenancy and begin eviction proceedings if the tenant does not pay the overdue rent (or move out) within five days after receiving written notice.
This is the most common eviction notice in the state because non-payment of rent remains the leading cause of eviction filings in Wisconsin circuit courts.
You may serve a 5 day notice Wisconsin in these situations:
Important: If your written lease gives the tenant more than 5 days to cure non-payment (for example, 10 days), you must honor the longer period in the lease (Wis. Stat. § 704.17(2)(a)).
→ Click here to download the FREE 5 Day Eviction Notice Wisconsin PDF (2025 version)
→ Download Editable Word Version
Both templates are compliant with Wis. Stat. § 704.17 and ATCP 134. I personally update them every January and after any legislative change.
Wisconsin does not publish an official state form, but courts expect specific language. My template contains the exact wording courts in Milwaukee, Dane, Waukesha, and Brown counties have accepted for years:
You are hereby notified that you are indebted to me in the sum of $______ for the rent and use of the premises now occupied by you… If you fail to pay said amount or vacate within five (5) days after service of this notice, your tenancy will be terminated and I will file an eviction action against you.
Proper service is critical – defective service is the #1 reason Wisconsin eviction cases are dismissed. Acceptable methods (Wis. Stat. § 799.12(2)):
| Method | When It Starts the Clock |
|---|---|
| Personal delivery to tenant | Day of delivery |
| Personal delivery to a competent household member + mailing copy | Day of delivery |
| Posting on door + mailing first-class | Day after mailing |
Always keep proof of service (affidavit, photos, tracking numbers).
From reviewing hundreds of dismissed cases:
Can I email or text the 5-day notice?
Only if the tenant previously agreed in writing to accept electronic service.
Do weekends and holidays count in the 5 days?
Yes – Wisconsin does not exclude weekends or holidays for the 5-day pay-or-quit notice.
Can I file eviction on day 6?
Yes, the day after the notice expires.
→ Instant Download – 5 Day Eviction Notice Wisconsin PDF (2025)
Disclaimer: This template and article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change and individual situations vary. Always consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or your local legal aid office before serving any eviction notice.