The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision on Friday, June 5, in Koble v. Marquardt (2026 WI 19), overturning the Court of Appeals and ruling in favor of the landlord. The ruling is clear: if a tenant cannot prove actual financial loss, they are not entitled to damages, court costs, or attorney fees.
This matters because the Court of Appeals decision had created an opening for tenants to demand a full refund of all rent ever paid — doubled — plus attorney fees, even with no real financial harm. The copycat cases followed fast.
Last week’s decision closes that door.
The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association Legal Action Program was part of the coalition that filed an amicus brief in this case. This is exactly why that program exists.
For more on the WRA’s Legal Action Program and this case, link HERE