Wisconsin association records requests
In Wisconsin the owner gives written notice before inspecting: at least 10 business days for a condominium and at least 5 business days under the nonstock corporation law that covers most HOAs. These are owner notice periods, not association response deadlines. A court must award a member's costs and attorney fees if it orders inspection under the nonstock law, unless the corporation refused in good faith.
| Association | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Condominiums | 10 business days' noticethe owner gives notice; the association sets a reasonable time and place | Wis. Stat. 703.20 |
| Nonprofit associations | 5 business days' noticethe member gives notice | Wis. Stat. 181.1602 |
Condominiums
This act covers condominium associations under chapter 703.
- Who may ask
- A unit owner.
- What starts the clock
- The owner gives written notice of the date selected to inspect.
- Deadline
- The owner gives written notice at least 10 business days before the selected date. The association must then make the records available at a reasonable time and place it specifies. This is a notice period, not an association response deadline.
- Copies and costs
- A reasonable fee for labor and materials, not more than the estimated production cost or $150, whichever is less.
- What may be withheld
- Attorney-client or work-product records, personnel records, and other owners' violation, assessment or account-status records.
- What must be protected
- Account numbers on certain financial statements may be redacted.
- Website
- Associations with 100 or more units must keep a website from April 1, 2023 with current inspectable records, and give a username and password for protected areas on written request.
- Record keeping
- Minutes and action records at least 6 years. Governing documents permanently. Financial records generally at least 6 years.
Nonstock corporation law (HOA fallback)
Wis. Stat. 181.1602, 181.1603, 181.1604
HOAs organized as nonstock corporations follow this law.
- Who may ask
- A member. An agent or attorney has the same rights.
- What starts the clock
- The member gives written notice or demand. It must be made in good faith for a proper purpose and describe the purpose and records with reasonable particularity for records not kept at the principal office.
- Deadline
- The member gives written notice at least 5 business days before the date the member wishes to inspect and copy. This is a notice period, not an association response deadline.
- Copies and costs
- A reasonable fee for labor and materials, not more than the estimated cost of production.
- What may be withheld
- The membership list is subject to a separate section, 181.1605.
- If the deadline is missed
- A circuit court may order inspection at the corporation's expense and must award the member's costs and reasonable attorney fees, unless the corporation refused in good faith on a reasonable basis.
- Record keeping
- Minutes permanently. The principal office keeps the last 3 years of member-approved minutes and financial statements.
How HOAChime handles Wisconsin requests
HOAChime sets the clock automatically from each association's state and type, counts the 10 or 5 business day notice period with Wisconsin holidays, and sends reminder emails. A due-soon and overdue list covers every association. You can mark records withheld with the state's reason, find and black out Social Security, card, bank, licence, phone and email numbers before release, track charges as quoted, paid or waived, and keep a full history of each request.
Checked against the statute text on 2026-11-13. This page is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. Laws change; follow the citation links for the current text, and ask the association's attorney about a specific request.