Protecting Wisconsin's Right to Rent

Passing strong property rights laws is vital, and protecting those rights requires staying vigilant when laws are challenged in court. A recent decision by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals involving the Village of Sister Bay proves why WRA advocacy doesn't stop at the Capitol.

After the WRA helped establish Wisconsin’s right to rent law through legislative advocacy, we stepped up to defend it. By filing an amicus brief through the WRA Legal Action Program, the WRA argued in the Sister Bay case that state law protects a property owner’s right to rent their residential dwelling. See the WRA's legal summary of the case online here.

Although the Sister Bay case involved one Wisconsin community, its impact extends far beyond Door County. The decision reinforces that when the Wisconsin Legislature establishes statewide property rights, local governments cannot adopt regulations that conflict with those protections. That consistency gives property owners greater confidence that their rights will be protected wherever they live in Wisconsin.

Through the REALTOR^® Party, the WRA helped advocate for Wisconsin's right to rent law. When those protections were challenged, the WRA Legal Action Program stepped in to defend them in court. It's a reminder that protecting property rights requires more than passing good legislation — it also means defending those victories when they're challenged.