Cal. Civ. Code § 823.16
Remedy of lessor of place of prostitution.
Operative Text
823.16 Remedy of lessor of place of prostitution. If the lessee of a place has been convicted of keeping that place as a place of prostitution or if such place has been adjudged a nuisance under this chapter, the lease by which such place is held is void and the lessor shall have the same remedies for regaining possession of the premises as the lessor would have against a tenant holding over the tenant’s term.
Wisconsin Statute § 823.16 addresses what happens to a lease when a rented property is used for prostitution. If a tenant is convicted of keeping the premises as a place of prostitution, or if a court declares the property a nuisance under the relevant chapter, the lease automatically becomes void by operation of law. Once the lease is voided, the landlord gains the same legal remedies to reclaim possession of the property that would normally be available against a holdover tenant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wis. Stat. § 823.16, a lease is rendered void when a tenant is convicted of operating a place of prostitution on the premises or when a court adjudges the property a nuisance under the applicable chapter. Operators who become aware of such a conviction or court adjudication generally document the legal finding and proceed through the holdover-tenant remedies available under Wisconsin law to recover possession. Maintaining records of any relevant court proceedings and consulting with a licensed Wisconsin attorney familiar with landlord-tenant law are steps commonly taken by compliant property managers in these circumstances.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wis. Stat. § 823.16 establishes that a lease can be voided if the tenant has been convicted of keeping the premises as a place of prostitution or if the property has been judicially declared a nuisance. Tenants facing a landlord's attempt to reclaim possession under this provision have the right to understand the legal basis for that action, including whether a qualifying conviction or court adjudication has actually occurred. Those who believe a landlord is improperly invoking § 823.16 may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or a licensed Wisconsin attorney to understand the available legal defenses and options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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