At a Glance
| Question | Answer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit? | No statutory limit | No state law caps the amount |
| Rent control? | No | No statewide or local rent control |
| Required notice to raise rent? | 30 days | One rental period notice for month-to-month tenancies |
| Lease required in writing? | No | Oral leases are enforceable, but written leases are recommended |
| Landlord entry notice? | No statute | Reasonable notice implied by common law |
Security Deposits
Wyoming does not impose a statutory limit on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. However, the state sets clear rules for the return of deposits.
Landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days of the termination of the lease and the tenant vacating the property. If the landlord does not make any deductions, the deposit must be returned within 15 days. If deductions are made, the landlord must provide an itemized written statement explaining each deduction along with the remaining balance.
If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within the required time, the landlord may forfeit the right to withhold any portion of the deposit.
Eviction Procedures
Wyoming requires landlords to follow specific legal procedures to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are not permitted.
Notice Requirements
- 3-Day Notice: For nonpayment of rent (tenant must pay within 3 days or vacate)
- 3-Day Notice: For lease violations (tenant must cure the violation within 3 days or vacate)
- 3-Day Notice: For breach of lease causing damage, illegal activity, or nuisance
- 30-Day Notice: For no-cause termination of month-to-month tenancies (or one rental period, whichever is greater)
If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord must file an eviction action (forcible entry and detainer) in circuit court. Only a court order can legally remove a tenant.
cite: Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1002 et seq.
Rent Control
Wyoming does not have any form of rent control at the state or local level. Landlords are free to set and increase rent at any amount, subject only to the notice requirements for month-to-month tenancies.
For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must generally provide at least one rental period's notice (typically 30 days) before a rent increase takes effect. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be increased during the lease term unless the lease specifically allows it.
cite: Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1201 et seq.
Lease Agreements
Wyoming does not require leases to be in writing. Oral agreements are enforceable, though written leases are strongly recommended to avoid disputes. Leases for more than one year must be in writing under the Statute of Frauds.
Required Disclosures
Wyoming landlords must provide the following disclosures:
- Lead-based paint (pre-1978 properties, required by federal law)
- Nonrefundable fees: Any fees or deposits that are nonrefundable must be clearly identified in the lease agreement
- Landlord identity: Name and address of the person authorized to manage the property and receive notices
cite: Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1201 et seq.
Tenant Rights
Wyoming provides the following protections for tenants:
- Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including compliance with building and housing codes affecting health and safety
- Retaliation protection: Wyoming does not have a specific anti-retaliation statute, but tenants may have protections under general legal principles
- Discrimination protection: The Wyoming Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status
- Right to privacy: Although no specific statute defines entry notice requirements, landlords are expected to provide reasonable notice before entering a tenant's unit, except in emergencies
- Security deposit protections: Tenants have the right to receive an itemized list of deductions and the return of their deposit within 30 days (or 15 days if no deductions)