Renter rights by state

Wyoming renter rights: the basics for first-time renters

Last reviewed: October 2026 · First Apartment Kit

Wyoming's Residential Rental Property Act is W.S. 1-21-1201 through 1-21-1211, eviction (“forcible entry and detainer”) procedure is in W.S. 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1016, and the Wyoming Safe Homes Act (W.S. 1-21-1301 to -1304) protects victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. This guide summarizes those sections as published by the Wyoming Legislature, along with the Wyoming Judicial Branch's eviction and renter's-rights handouts. Wyoming's law is short, so many everyday terms are left to your lease.

Quick facts

Quick facts are simplified. Read the sections below for exceptions, and check your city or county too.

Security deposits

• Cap: state law doesn't set a maximum deposit.
• Nonrefundable portions: the lease must say whether any part of the deposit is nonrefundable, and the landlord must also tell you in writing when the deposit is taken.
• Allowed deductions: unpaid rent, damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, the cost of cleaning the unit back to its move-in condition, and other costs provided by the contract.
• Return: the balance of the deposit and any prepaid rent, with a written itemization and reasons, must be delivered or mailed (without interest) within 30 days after the lease ends or 15 days after the landlord gets your new mailing address, whichever is later. If there's damage, the landlord gets 30 more days.
• Your job: within 30 days after the lease ends, tell the landlord where to send your deposit and notice.
• Utility deposits: a separate utility deposit is refunded within 10 days after you show all utility bills are paid.
• Penalty: if the landlord unreasonably fails to comply, you can recover the full deposit plus court costs. If you sue unreasonably and lose, the court can award the landlord costs.
• Whoever owns the landlord's interest when the lease ends is bound by these deposit rules.

Rent increases and late fees

• Rent increases and late fees: Wyoming law doesn't limit rent increases, set a notice period for them, or cap late fees. These depend on your lease.
• No automatic renewal: when a lease expires, it isn't renewed by implication. If you stay and the landlord accepts rent, that creates only a “tenancy by sufferance” unless you sign a new written agreement. Get any renewal in writing.
• Stay current: paying everything the lease requires is one of your legal duties, and it's a condition for using the repair remedies below.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

• Fixed-term lease: it ends on its own terms, with no implied renewal.
• Month-to-month or holdover: state law doesn't set a notice period, so check your lease and put any notice in writing.
• Domestic abuse or sexual violence (Safe Homes Act): you aren't liable for rent after you move out if you were under a credible imminent threat, or were a victim on the premises within the last 60 days, backed by medical, court, or police evidence, and you gave the landlord 7 days' written notice explaining why. A landlord can't end a tenancy solely because you or a household member is a victim, and a lease can't waive these rights.

When the landlord can come in

Wyoming law doesn't set a specific notice period for landlord entry. It does say you can't unreasonably refuse entry to the owner or manager for repairs, inspections, or showing the unit for rent or sale. The Judicial Branch's renter's-rights handout describes this as entry “upon reasonable notice.” Check your lease for specific entry terms.

Repairs and living conditions

The landlord must rent only units that are reasonably safe, sanitary, and fit to live in. That includes sanitary, safe common areas; working electrical, plumbing, and heating; hot and cold running water; and any appliances promised in the lease. The law covers only conditions that materially affect your physical health or safety, and the parties can change these duties by explicit signed written agreement.

Steps to get repairs (you must be current on all payments and have evidence of the problem):

1. First notice: give the landlord written notice describing the problem and the fix you want, by certified mail or by leaving it at their home or business.
2. Second notice: if nothing happens within a reasonable time, send a “notice to repair or correct condition.” It refers to the first notice, states how many days have passed and what's still unfixed, and says you'll go to court if repairs don't start within 3 days.
3. Court: you can sue in circuit court. The court can order repairs, award damages (including rent improperly collected), or end the lease.

The Judicial Branch notes that you can't withhold rent because of poor conditions. If repairs would cost an unreasonable amount, the landlord can end the lease instead with written notice giving you 10 to 20 days to move, prorated rent, and any deposit due.

Eviction basics

• Grounds: staying after the lease ends, rent unpaid 3 days after it's due, or violating your duties under the Residential Rental Property Act (for example, damaging the unit, disturbing neighbors, or unreasonably refusing entry). The Judicial Branch also lists lease violations.
• Notice to quit: the landlord must give written notice to leave at least 3 days before filing, left with you or at your home or business.
• Court: the summons gives the trial date and must be served 3 to 12 days before trial. You don't have to file a written answer to take full part in the trial, though the courts offer an optional answer form. If you don't appear, the trial goes ahead without you.
• Continuances: no more than 2 days unless you post a bond covering accruing rent and costs.
• After judgment: the Judicial Branch's handout says the move-out time can range from 5 p.m. on the hearing date to 30 days later. The sheriff executes the writ of restitution within 2 days of receiving it (Sundays excepted) and can remove your belongings. To stop the eviction on appeal, you must file a bond within 48 hours of judgment.
• Belongings left behind: valuable property can be claimed within 7 days after written notice (plus 7 more days if you respond in writing). You pay reasonable storage costs.

Retaliation and discrimination

Retaliation: the Wyoming statutes covered here don't include a retaliation provision.

Discrimination: Wyoming's Fair Housing Act (W.S. 40-26-103) bars refusing to rent, or setting different terms, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. The Wyoming Judicial Branch directs people who believe their fair housing rights were violated to file a complaint with HUD within one year.

City and county rules

Some Wyoming cities have their own housing or property maintenance codes. Check with your city's building or code enforcement office.

Move-in checklist for Wyoming renters

• ☐ Get a written lease and read all of it before signing
• ☐ Get a receipt for the deposit and any move-in money
• ☐ Photograph every room, dated, before you unpack
• ☐ Fill out (or write your own) move-in condition list and keep a copy
• ☐ Note the rent due date, grace period, and late fee
• ☐ Write down how to request repairs, and do it in writing
• ☐ Save the landlord's legal name and address for notices
• ☐ Put your notice deadline for moving out in your calendar

Still apartment hunting? Our list of questions to ask a landlord before signing a lease covers deposits, fees, repairs, and move-out rules you will want answered in writing.

Where to get help in Wyoming

• Wyoming Judicial Branch — Evictions — eviction process, optional answer form, and handouts.
• Wyoming Judicial Branch — Fair Housing — fair housing information and how to file a HUD complaint.
• Wyoming Judicial Branch — Self-Help Forms — court forms.
• Find free legal aid near you — the federal Legal Services Corporation's directory of local legal aid offices.
• File a housing discrimination complaint with HUD — the federal fair housing agency.

Official sources

These are the official state law and government pages we checked for every fact on this page. The law itself controls if anything here differs.

• W.S. 1-21-1201 to 1-21-1211, Residential Rental Property Act (Title 1)
• W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1016, Forcible entry and detainer (Title 1)
• W.S. 1-21-1301 to 1-21-1304, Wyoming Safe Homes Act (Title 1)
• W.S. 34-2-128 and 34-2-129, No implied tenancy; lease renewal (Title 34)
• W.S. 40-26-103, Fair Housing — sale or rental (Title 40)
• Wyoming Judicial Branch — Eviction handout
• Wyoming Judicial Branch — Renter's Rights & Duties handout

Not legal advice; laws change and cities may add rules. Check the official sources below or a local legal aid office. This page is a plain-language summary written by First Apartment Kit, not the law itself. Last reviewed: October 2026.

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