Rent Smart
Rent Smart
Focusing on the knowledge and skills essential for a successful renting experience.
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Rent Smart focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for a successful renting experience. It challenges participants to know and understand their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as know and understand the rights and responsibilities of their landlord. Emphasis is on forming a strong partnership between the tenant and landlord. Establishing a positive rental history is much like having a positive credit report and Rent Smart starts participants on the right path for success.
Individuals can attend all Rent Smart sessions to receive a certificate to show for prospective landlords, or attend only specific sessions covering topics of interest.
Morning Sessions | January 2026
Dates:
Monday, January 12, 2026 – Module A: How Much Will It Cost? And Can I Afford it?
Thursday, January 15, 2026 – Module B: Checking Out the Rental Property and the Landlord
Monday, January 19, 2026 – Module C: Application Process
Thursday, January 22, 2026 – Module D: Who’s Responsible for Maintenance, Repairs, and Care?
Monday, January 26, 2026 – Module E: Communications
Thursday, January 29, 2026 – Module F: Rental Agreements – Moving In, Moving On
Time: 10-11:30am
Location:
St John’s Ministries Micah Center
612 Stuart Street
Green Bay, WI
Morning Sessions | February 2026
Dates:
Monday, February 2, 2026
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Monday, February 9, 2026
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Monday, February 16, 2026
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 10-11:30am
Location: TBD
Program Overview
Rent Smart strives to guide and inform participants so they may:
- Learn new skills to build positive relationships with landlords and neighbors.
- Gain confidence in their ability to find and maintain affordable housing.
- Understand the application and screening processes used by landlords.
- Learn the responsibilities and rights of tenants and landlords.
Target Audience
Rent Smart is designed to help those individuals who have little to no rental experience and those who have had difficulty obtaining rental housing. Participants may be first time renters, as they graduate from school, or homeowners, transitioning to renting, individuals with poor rental or credit history, or individual who have other issues that may cause potential landlords to perceive them as high-risk tenants.
Keeping Rent Smart Current
Changes in Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Law in 2014 and 2016, coupled with increased interest in tenant education for a variety of audiences, prompted a re-working of the entire curriculum and a change in format in 2017. Revisions to the curriculum were completed by members of the Family Living Education Rent Smart Team.
Changes in Credit Report Law in 2019 prompted minor changes in 2019. Revisions to the curriculum were completed by members of the Human Development and Relationships Rent Smart Work team.
