Cal. Civ. Code § 704.13
Acts of tenant not to affect rights of landlord.
Operative Text
704.13 Acts of tenant not to affect rights of landlord. No act of a tenant in acknowledging as landlord a person other than the tenant’s original landlord or the latter’s successors in interest can prejudice the right of the original landlord or the original landlord’s successors to possession of the premises.
Wisconsin Statute § 704.13 establishes that a tenant's informal recognition of someone else as their landlord — for example, paying rent to or communicating with an unauthorized third party — cannot legally undermine the ownership or possession rights of the original landlord or that landlord's lawful successors. The rule protects the chain of legitimate landlord authority from being disrupted by a tenant's unilateral actions. It applies regardless of whether the tenant acted knowingly or in good faith.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wis. Stat. § 704.13, a property owner's right to possession of the premises is not extinguished simply because a tenant has treated or acknowledged an unauthorized party as the landlord. Compliant operators generally maintain clear documentation of ownership and any transfers of interest, so that their status as the rightful landlord — or successor in interest — is well established in any dispute. This provision can be relevant when ownership changes hands or when third parties attempt to insert themselves into the landlord-tenant relationship.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wis. Stat. § 704.13 means that even if a tenant has been directed to, or has voluntarily begun, treating someone other than the original landlord as their landlord, the original landlord or their lawful successors retain their legal right to possession of the rental unit. Tenants who are uncertain about who their legitimate landlord is — particularly after a property sale, foreclosure, or management change — may want to seek clarity through a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Wisconsin landlord-tenant law. Understanding who holds the rightful interest in a property can be important when questions about rent payments, lease obligations, or eviction arise.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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