What must a home seller disclose in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin codifies disclosure in Wis. Stat. Chapter 709.

1. Real Estate Condition Report — § 709.02

Required for sales of residential property containing 1-4 dwelling units.

Statutory form has 25 sections covering:

- Structural (foundation, basement, ceiling, floor, roof).

- Mechanical (plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, water heater).

- Well and septic.

- Environmental: asbestos, lead, radon, USTs, mold, contaminated soil, methamphetamine.

- Boundary disputes, easements, flood zone.

- Building/zoning code violations.

2. Timing

Must be delivered within 10 days after acceptance of the contract.

Buyer has 2 business days after receipt to rescind if disclosed defects are unacceptable (§ 709.05).

3. Vacant Land Disclosure Report — § 709.033

Separate form for vacant land sales.

4. Lead-Based Paint

Federal 42 USC § 4852d for pre-1978 dwellings.

5. Exemptions — § 709.01

Court-ordered transfers, between co-owners or spouses, fiduciary in estate, transfers to/from government.

Wisconsin's exemption list is narrow — most owner-occupants must complete the form.

6. Defect Standard

Wisconsin uses a "defect" standard: a condition that substantially affects the value, health or safety of the occupants or significantly shortens or adversely affects the expected normal life of the premises.

7. "As-Is" Sales

"As-is" does not waive the statutory duty to deliver an accurate Report or shield intentional misrepresentation.

8. Statute of Limitations

6 years for fraud and contract (Wis. Stat. § 893.93(1)(b) and § 893.43).

This is legal information, not legal advice.