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Wisconsin · Wis. Stat. ch. 709Wisconsin Real Estate Condition Report: the 10-day and 2-business-day rules

In Wisconsin the owner of a one-to-four unit home (or vacant land) gives the buyer a completed real estate condition report – or vacant land disclosure report – no later than 10 days after the contract is accepted (Wis. Stat. §709.02). If none arrives in those 10 days, the buyer may rescind within 2 business days after the 10-day period. If the report arrives after the offer and discloses a defect, or is incomplete, the buyer may rescind in writing within 2 business days after receiving it, and deposits are returned.

The rules

  1. Which property (709.001, 709.01)

    Real property with one to four dwelling units (not never-inhabited new homes), vacant land, condominium units and time-shares, transferred by sale, exchange or land contract. Personal representatives, trustees, conservators and court fiduciaries who never occupied the property are exempt.

  2. 10 days (709.02(1))

    The completed report is due within 10 days after acceptance of the contract. A report is complete only if every item is answered.

  3. Late report

    A buyer who receives no report within the 10 days may rescind within 2 business days after the 10-day period by written notice to the owner or owner's agent – deposits and option fees returned.

  4. Defect or incomplete (709.05)

    If the report – or an amendment – reaches the buyer after the offer and discloses a defect, or is incomplete, the buyer may rescind in writing within 2 business days after the buyer or buyer's agent receives it.

When there is no rescission right

  • The buyer received a complete report before submitting the offer (unless a later amendment discloses a new defect).
  • The buyer already knew, or had written notice, of the nature and extent of the defect when the offer was submitted.
  • The buyer waived the right in writing, or proceeded to closing (709.08).

What the TC tracks

  • Acceptance date + 10 days – the report deadline.
  • If the report is late: the 2-business-day rescission window after day 10.
  • If it discloses a defect or is incomplete: 2 business days from receipt by the buyer or buyer's agent.
  • Condominium units: the condo addendum information comes with the report.

Questions about the Wisconsin condition report

When is the Wisconsin real estate condition report due?

No later than 10 days after acceptance of the contract of sale or option contract (Wis. Stat. §709.02(1)).

What if the Wisconsin seller never gives the report?

The buyer may rescind within 2 business days after the end of the 10-day period, by written notice, and get deposits back.

How long does a Wisconsin buyer have to rescind after a report discloses a defect?

2 business days after the buyer or buyer's agent receives the report or amendment (Wis. Stat. §709.05(3)).

Can a Wisconsin buyer rescind if they saw the report before offering?

Not if it was a complete report received before the offer – unless a later amendment discloses a new defect.

Is the condition report required for vacant land in Wisconsin?

Yes – the vacant land disclosure report under §709.033 applies to land without buildings.

Related guides

Add the 10-day report deadline and any 2-business-day rescission window as dated tasks on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Source: Wisconsin Statutes ch. 709, §§709.001–709.08 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, read October 24, 2026).

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage.