At the first court hearing you will be asked when you want to come back to discuss the money damages. If you have a potentially collectable tenant you should set this date at least 3 weeks after the date the tenant is required by the court to be out so you can have the bills and receipts for the damages plus you will know how much the move cost as well as the total amount of lost rent.

Tip: Absent any other damages, in Wisconsin a tenant that is evicted for nonpayment owes double rent from the date the 5-day or other notice expired to the date they are physically out.

Tip: Under Wisconsin Statute 704.29 a tenant that vacates prior to the end of the rental term is liable for all cost of rerental including some repairs that under normal circumstances they could not be charged for.

Tip: If it is unlikely that you will collect from the tenant any time in the near future, you can save time by taking the money judgment at the first hearing, If the tenant is in court you and them must agree to an amount before you ask for the money judgment. If the tenant does not appear you may ask for an amount up to the amount you put on the Summons.