Rental and Landlord Cleanouts in Madison

The Wisconsin rule, in plain terms

• Absent a written agreement to the contrary, items left after a tenant moves out or is evicted may be treated as abandoned.
• Prescription medication and medical equipment are held for 7 days from discovery and returned if the tenant asks.
• Manufactured or mobile homes and titled vehicles need written notice to the tenant and secured parties before disposal.
• A landlord who does not store left-behind property gives written notice of that when the lease is signed or renewed.

This is a summary, not legal advice; read the statute or ask an attorney for anything unusual.

Madison buildings

Since January 1, 2025 the Streets Division skips properties of more than 8 units for large items, and private haulers serve those buildings' dumpsters under their own terms. Smaller rentals can still use work orders, but only on the set-out schedule, and TVs at the curb cost $30. A crew clears a unit the same visit instead.

See tenant property left behind in Wisconsin and large items in buildings over 8 units.