Cal. Civ. Code § 704.16

Termination of tenancy for imminent threat of serious physical harm; changing locks.

In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/2/2026
effective 10/15/2026WisconsinVAWA & Survivor Protections

Operative Text

Cal. Civ. Code § 704.16
704.16 Termination of tenancy for imminent threat of serious physical harm; changing locks.
(1) Terminating tenancy by tenant. A residential tenant may terminate his or her tenancy and remove from the premises if both of the following apply:
(a) The tenant or a child of the tenant faces an imminent threat of serious physical harm from another person if the tenant remains on the premises.
(b) The tenant provides the landlord with notice in the manner provided under s. 704.21 and with a certified copy of any of the following:
1. An injunction order under s. 813.12 (4) protecting the tenant from the person.
2. An injunction order under s. 813.122 protecting a child of the tenant from the person.
3. An injunction order under s. 813.125 (4) protecting the tenant or a child of the tenant from another person, based on the other person’s engaging in an act that would constitute stalking under s. 940.32, or attempting or threatening to do the same.
4. A condition of release under ch. 969 ordering the person not to contact the tenant.
6. A criminal complaint alleging that the person stalked the tenant or a child of the tenant under s. 940.32.
7. A criminal complaint that was filed against the person as a result of the person being arrested for committing a domestic abuse offense against the tenant under s. 968.075.
(1m) Terminating tenancy by tenant: sexual assault. A residential tenant may terminate his or her tenancy and remove from the premises if the tenant provides the landlord with notice in the manner provided under s. 704.21 and with a certified copy of any of the following:
(a) An injunction order under s. 813.125 (4) protecting the tenant or a child of the tenant from another person, based on the other person’s engaging in an act that would constitute sexual assault under s. 940.225, 948.02, or 948.025, or attempting or threatening to do the same.
(b) A criminal complaint alleging that the person sexually assaulted the tenant or a child of the tenant under s. 940.225, 948.02, or 948.025.
(2) Not liable for rent. If a residential tenant removes from the premises because of a threat of serious physical harm to the tenant or to a child of the tenant from another person and provides the landlord with a certified copy specified under sub. (1) and with notice that complies with s. 704.21, the tenant shall not be liable for any rent after the end of the month following the month in which he or she provides the notice or removes from the premises, whichever is later. The tenant’s liability for rent under this subsection is subject to the landlord’s duty to mitigate damages as provided in s. 704.29 (2).
(2m) Not liable for rent: sexual assault. If a residential tenant removes from the premises and provides the landlord with a certified copy specified under sub. (1m) and with notice that complies with s. 704.21, the tenant shall not be liable for any rent after the end of the month following the month in which he or she provides the notice or removes from the premises, whichever is later. The tenant’s liability for rent under this subsection is subject to the landlord’s duty to mitigate damages as provided in s. 704.29 (2).
(3) Termination of tenancy by landlord.
(a) In this subsection:
1. “Community” has the meaning given in s. 710.15 (1) (ad).
2. “Manufactured home” has the meaning given in s. 101.91 (2).
3. “Mobile home” has the meaning given in s. 710.15 (1) (b).
4. “Offending tenant” is a tenant whose tenancy is being terminated under this subsection.
(b) A landlord may terminate the tenancy of an offending tenant if all of the following apply:
1. The offending tenant commits one or more acts, including verbal threats, that cause another tenant, or a child of that other tenant, who occupies a dwelling unit in the same single-family rental unit, multiunit dwelling, or apartment complex, or a manufactured home or mobile home in the same community, as the offending tenant to face an imminent threat of serious physical harm from the offending tenant if the offending tenant remains on the premises.
2. The offending tenant is the named offender in any of the following:
a. An injunction order under s. 813.12 (4) protecting the other tenant from the offending tenant.
b. An injunction order under s. 813.122 protecting the child of the other tenant from the offending tenant.
c. An injunction order under s. 813.125 (4) protecting the other tenant or the child of the other tenant from the offending tenant, based on the offending tenant’s engaging in an act that would constitute sexual assault under s. 940.225, 948.02, or 948.025, or stalking under s. 940.32, or attempting or threatening to do the same.
d. A condition of release under ch. 969 ordering the offending tenant not to contact the other tenant.
e. A criminal complaint alleging that the offending tenant sexually assaulted the other tenant or the child of the other tenant under s. 940.225, 948.02, or 948.025.
f. A criminal complaint alleging that the offending tenant stalked the other tenant or the child of the other tenant under s. 940.32.
g. A criminal complaint that was filed against the offending tenant as a result of the offending tenant being arrested for committing a domestic abuse offense against the other tenant under s. 968.075.
3. The landlord gives the offending tenant written notice that complies with s. 704.21 requiring the offending tenant to vacate on or before a date that is at least 5 days after the giving of the notice. The notice shall state the basis for its issuance and the right of the offending tenant to contest the termination of tenancy in an eviction action under ch. 799. If the offending tenant contests the termination of tenancy, the tenancy may not be terminated without proof by the landlord by the greater preponderance of the credible evidence of the allegations against the offending tenant.
(4) Changing locks.
(a) Subject to pars. (b) and (c), regardless of whether sub. (1) or (1m) applies, at the request of a residential tenant who provides the landlord with a certified copy of a document specified in sub. (1) (b) 1. to 7. or (1m) (a) or (b), a landlord shall change the locks to the tenant’s premises.
(b) A landlord shall have the locks changed, or may give the tenant permission to change the locks, within 48 hours after receiving a request and certified copy under par. (a). The tenant shall be responsible for the cost of changing the locks. If the landlord gives the tenant permission to change the locks, within a reasonable time after any lock has been changed the tenant shall provide the landlord with a key for the changed lock.
(c)
1. If the person who is the subject of the document provided to the landlord under par. (a) is also a tenant of the specific premises for which the locks are requested to be changed, the landlord is not required to change the locks under this subsection unless the document provided by the tenant requesting that the locks be changed is any of the following:
a. A document specified in sub. (1) (b) 1., 2., or 3. or (1m) (a) that directs the tenant who is the subject of the document to avoid the residence of the tenant requesting that the locks be changed.
b. A document specified in sub. (1) (b) 4. that orders the tenant who is the subject of the document not to contact the tenant requesting that the locks be changed.
2. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to relieve a tenant who is the subject of the document provided to the landlord under par. (a) from any obligation under a rental agreement or any other liability to the landlord.
(d) A landlord is not liable for civil damages for any action taken to comply with this subsection.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Wisconsin Stat. § 704.16 allows residential tenants facing an imminent threat of serious physical harm—or whose child faces such a threat—to end their lease early without ongoing rent liability, provided they give proper notice and submit qualifying court or legal documents such as injunctions, conditions of release, or criminal complaints. A parallel path exists for victims of sexual assault. Landlords may also use this statute to terminate the tenancy of a threatening tenant who is named in qualifying legal documents, with at least five days' written notice.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 15, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Wis. Stat. § 704.16, compliant operators respond to a qualifying tenant's lock-change request within 48 hours of receiving proper notice and a certified copy of a qualifying document. When a threatening tenant is named in an injunction or criminal complaint, landlords may initiate termination with a written notice of at least five days that states the basis and the offending tenant's right to contest. Landlords who act in good faith to comply with the lock-change provisions are shielded from civil damages liability under subsection (4)(d).

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Wis. Stat. § 704.16 gives residential tenants a legal path to exit a lease early—without liability for rent beyond the month following notice or departure—when they or their child face an imminent threat of serious physical harm or sexual assault, and they provide the landlord with proper notice and a certified qualifying document. Tenants may also request a lock change within the same framework, with the cost generally falling on the tenant. Those seeking to understand their options can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Wisconsin housing law.

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.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 15, 2026
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References Out

Rules and statutes cited by this regulation

Wis. Stat. § 813.12
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 813.122
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 813.125
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 940.32
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. ch. 969
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 968.075
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 940.225
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. ch. 799
Not yet ingested

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

Wis. Stat. § 100.20
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 100.20
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 799.44
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 704.085
Wis. Stat. § 799.45
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 66.0435
Wis. Stat. § 704.02
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wis. Stat. § 704.14
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.15
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 101.145
Wis. Stat. § 101.149
Wis. Stat. § 101.149
Wis. Stat. § 101.647
Wis. Stat. § 101.645
Wis. Stat. § 101.647
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 100.18
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 196.643
Wis. Stat. § 196.643
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 101.937
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 254.11
Wis. Stat. § 254.59
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 101.145
Wis. Stat. § 101.145
Wis. Stat. § 101.149
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 66.1011
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 101.132
Wis. Stat. § 66.1203
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.02
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.19
Wis. Stat. § 799.45
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.90
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.25
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.90
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 704.19
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wis. Stat. § 823.113
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.16
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 799.40
Wis. Stat. § 799.40
Wis. Stat. § 799.45
Wis. Stat. § 799.44
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 704.19
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 66.0435
Wis. Stat. § 799.45
Wis. Stat. § 704.27
Wis. Stat. § 704.19
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.02
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wis. Stat. § 704.14
Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wis. Stat. § 704.28
Wis. Stat. § 100.20
Wis. Stat. § 66.0435
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 704.16
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 704.16
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.09

Related Rules

§ 25
Refusal of rental agreement or assistance based on termination of rental agreement under Sec. 24 or request for change of lock under Sec. 26 prohibited
§ 26
Change of locks upon request of tenant, co-tenant or household member believed to be under imminent threat of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking
§ 47a-7b
Request to change dwelling unit locks when tenant is named as a protected person in a protective or restraining order.

Source Information

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Fetched:Oct 15, 2026, 12:31 PM UTC