429.203 Requirements of a consumer lease.

(1) A consumer lease shall be in writing and signed by the lessor and the lessee.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the printed portion of a consumer lease, other than instructions for its completion, shall be in at least 8-point type. The consumer lease shall contain all of the following printed in a conspicuous manner:

(a) At the top of the consumer lease, the words “MOTOR VEHICLE LEASE AGREEMENT" in at least 10-point type.

(b)

1. Except as provided in subd. 2., if no liability insurance for bodily injury or property damage is provided for under the consumer lease, a notice in substantially the following language in bold-faced capital letters of not less than 10-point type: “NO LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR BODILY INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE IS INCLUDED IN THIS LEASE."

2. The notice required under subd. 1. may be provided on a separate document delivered to the prospective lessee not later than the time of execution of the consumer lease.

(2m) Every writing evidencing the customer's obligation to pay under a motor vehicle consumer lease shall contain immediately above or adjacent to the place for the signature of the customer, a conspicuous, printed or typewritten notice in substantially the following language:

NOTICE TO LESSEE

(a) THIS IS A MOTOR VEHICLE LEASE AGREEMENT. YOU HAVE NO OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN THE MOTOR VEHICLE UNLESS THIS LEASE CONTAINS A PURCHASE OPTION AND YOU EXERCISE YOUR OPTION TO PURCHASE THE MOTOR VEHICLE.

(b) DO NOT SIGN THIS LEASE BEFORE YOU READ IT, INCLUDING ANY WRITING ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

(c) DO NOT SIGN THIS IF IT CONTAINS ANY BLANK SPACES.

(d) YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A COMPLETED COPY OF THIS LEASE WHEN YOU SIGN IT.

(3) The consumer lease shall contain all disclosures required by the federal consumer leasing act and any of the following disclosures that are not disclosed in the same or substantially similar disclosures under the federal consumer leasing act:

(a) The gross capitalized cost, using the term “gross capitalized cost", and an explanation of the term in substantially the following language: “The gross capitalized cost is the agreed-upon value of the vehicle ($.... [insert the agreed-upon value of the vehicle]) and any items that you pay over the lease term (such as service contracts, insurance and any outstanding prior credit or lease balance)."

(b) Any capitalized cost reduction, using the term “capitalized cost reduction", and an explanation of the term in substantially the following language: “The capitalized cost reduction is the amount of any net trade-in allowance, rebate, noncash credit or cash that you pay that reduces the gross capitalized cost."

(c) The adjusted capitalized cost, using the term “adjusted capitalized cost", and an explanation of the term, as applicable, in substantially the following language: “The adjusted capitalized cost is the amount that is used in calculating your base periodic payment."

(d) The residual value of the leased vehicle, using the term “residual value", and an explanation of the term in substantially the following language: “The residual value is the value of the vehicle at the end of the lease used in calculating your base periodic payment."

(e) A statement determined as follows:

1. With respect to a single-payment lease, a statement of the rent charge included in the single payment and a separate statement of the depreciation portion of the single payment.

2. With respect to a lease other than a single-payment lease, a statement of the rent charge included in the total of the periodic payments and a separate statement of the depreciation portion of the total of the periodic payments.

(fm) A statement on early termination of the consumer lease in substantially the following language: “Early termination. You may have to pay a substantial charge if you end this consumer lease early. The charge may be up to several thousand dollars. The actual charge will depend on when the lease is terminated. The earlier you end the lease, the greater the charge is likely to be."

(g) The standards to be applied by the holder in determining the excess wear and damage to the leased vehicle for which the lessee shall be held liable. These standards shall comply with the federal consumer leasing act.

(h) Any disclosure required under sub. (2m).

(4) The consumer lease shall contain the names of the lessor and the lessee; the place of business of the lessor; the place of business or residence of the lessee, as specified by the lessee; and the year, make, model and, if known, serial or identification number of the motor vehicle.

(5) The lessor shall deliver to the lessee a completed copy of the consumer lease signed by both parties. Any acknowledgement of delivery of a copy of the consumer lease by the lessee shall be conspicuous and appear above the space reserved for the signature of the lessee.

(6)

(a) Any motor vehicle insurance policy covering the leased vehicle for which a charge is included in the consumer lease shall be issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state.

(b)

1. The lessor shall advise the lessee in writing at the time the lease is entered into that the lessee has the right to do any of the following:

a. Purchase a motor vehicle insurance policy covering the loss of or damage to the leased vehicle and liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of the leased vehicle from any insurer authorized to issue motor vehicle insurance policies in this state and through any agent currently licensed under ch. 628.

b. Substitute for an existing motor vehicle insurance policy any other policy with similar coverage issued by any other insurer or sold by any other agent meeting the qualifications specified in subd. 1. a. at any time during the lease term.

2. If the lessee purchases a motor vehicle insurance policy under subd. 1., the lessor may agree to pay the premiums and to amortize the cost of the premiums over the lease term, or over such portion of the lease term as the parties may agree.

3. If the lessee provides to the lessor satisfactory proof that the lessee has purchased a motor vehicle insurance policy that includes the coverages and limits required by the lease, the lessor may not charge the lessee for insurance covering the leased vehicle except as the parties have agreed under subd. 2.

4. The lessor may require the lessee to have the lessor included on the policy as an additional insured and loss payee and to provide the lessor with a copy of the policy.

(c) If the lessee does not purchase, maintain in force and provide satisfactory proof of insurance against loss of or damage to the leased vehicle and against liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of the leased vehicle, the lessor may purchase motor vehicle insurance to protect the lessor's interest in the leased vehicle and against the lessor's liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of the leased vehicle. The lessor may include the cost of such insurance in the rent charge.

(7) A holder may purchase or sell, or otherwise acquire or transfer, an interest in a consumer lease or a motor vehicle subject to a consumer lease, on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties to the sale, transfer or acquisition. No filing of the sale, transfer or acquisition, or any requirement that the holder be deprived of any payments due with respect to the consumer lease or, if subject to replevin or otherwise returned to the holder, the motor vehicle, shall be necessary to the validity of any written bill of sale or other instrument of transfer of the interest in a consumer lease as against creditors, subsequent purchasers, pledges, encumbrancers, mortgagees, successors or assigns.

(8)

(a) Upon written request from a lessee, the holder shall give or forward to the lessee a written statement that specifies, without regard to realized value, the projected obligation that the lessee will incur in the event of early termination of the consumer lease.

(b) No charge may be imposed for the preparation of one statement under par. (a) in a 12-month period. A holder may impose a reasonable charge, not exceeding $20 per statement, for the preparation of a 2nd or subsequent statement under par. (a) in a 12-month period, if the charge has been disclosed to the lessee either orally or in writing prior to preparation of a statement under this paragraph.

(9) A holder is not required to pay interest on any security deposit under the consumer lease.

(10) Any provision of a consumer lease in violation of this chapter is void and unenforceable, but shall not affect the validity of any other provision of the consumer lease.

History: 1995 a. 329; 1997 a. 48.