Wyoming Landlord Laws

Wyoming is widely considered a landlord-friendly state. With no rent control, minimal regulations on late fees or security deposits, and a streamlined eviction process, Wyoming offers a favorable legal environment for property owners and investors, especially in rural areas and smaller markets with affordable housing.

However, Wyoming landlords must still follow federal, state, and local laws that govern the rental process. These laws cover everything from lease agreements and repairs to tenant privacy and eviction procedures. Understanding these rules is important before setting or enforcing rental policies.

Wyoming’s landlord-tenant laws can be found in the Wyoming Residential Rental Property Act, along with other relevant state codes. Keep in mind that these laws may change over time, and cities or counties within Wyoming may enforce additional regulations that landlords must follow.

Disclaimer: Innago does not provide legal advice. The content and materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and many not be the most up-to-date information.

Wyoming Quick Facts

Rights and Responsibilities of Wyoming Landlords and Tenants

Wyoming landlords and tenants have clearly defined rights and responsibilities under state law. For example, landlords must provide habitable housing that meets basic safety standards, and tenants must pay rent on time. In return, landlords have the right to receive compensation for the use of their property, and tenants have the right to privacy and prompt maintenance. While lease agreements outline many of these rights and duties, only those terms that comply with Wyoming law are legally enforceable.

Below is an overview of the main rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants in Wyoming.

Wyoming landlords have the right to:

• Collect rent as outlined in the lease agreement.
• Require a security deposit, with no statutory maximum, as long as the amount is reasonable.
• Withhold funds from the security deposit for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or other breaches of the lease.
• Screen all rental applicants using lawful and non-discriminatory criteria.
• Enter the rental unit at reasonable times with advance notice for maintenance, inspections, or showings.
• Initiate eviction proceedings if a tenant fails to pay rent, breaks the lease, or engages in illegal activity.
• Set and enforce lease terms related to guests, pets, smoking, or other property rules, provided those terms comply with the law.

Wyoming landlords are responsible for:

• Providing safe, habitable housing that complies with health and safety laws.
• Maintaining essential utilities and making repairs to keep the property in livable condition.
• Responding to repair requests in a reasonable timeframe.
• Following fair housing laws and avoiding discriminatory practices during tenant screening or lease enforcement.
• Giving reasonable advance notice before entering the rental unit, except in emergencies.
• Returning the security deposit or an itemized list of deductions within 30 days after the tenant vacates the property or within 15 days after receiving a forwarding address—whichever is later.
• Pursuing legal eviction procedures and never removing a tenant without a court order.

Wyoming tenants have the right to:

• Live in a safe, clean, and habitable rental unit with functioning utilities and appliances.
• Request necessary repairs and receive them in a reasonable amount of time.
• Enjoy privacy in their home and receive notice before landlord entry.
• Take legal action if the landlord fails to uphold their duties, such as maintaining the premises.
• Be protected from retaliation for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights.
• Receive a timely return of their security deposit according to security deposit regulations or a written explanation of deductions.
• Quiet enjoyment of the property, free from harassment or excessive disruptions according to landlord-tenant privacy regulations.

Wyoming tenants are responsible for:

• Paying rent on time and in full, including any late fees specified in the lease.
• Complying with all lease terms and property rules.
• Keeping the unit clean and safe, with proper waste disposal and sanitation.
• Notifying the landlord about maintenance issues or unsafe conditions.
• Covering the cost of repairs for any damage they or their guests cause beyond normal wear and tear.
• Replacing minor items such as light bulbs or batteries in detectors, if required by the lease.
• Providing proper notice if they intend to move out or not renew the lease.
• Using the property only for legal residential purposes and avoiding all damage to the property.

Wyoming Required Disclosures

Landlords in Wyoming have to provide disclosures to tenants before or at the start of a lease. These disclosures promote transparency by helping tenants understand important property conditions, fees, and legal protections. Failing to include required disclosures can lead to disputes or legal issues down the line.

Below are the two disclosures that Wyoming landlords must include in their lease agreements.

• Lead-based paint (Title X, Section 1018). Landlords in all 50 states must include information about lead-based paint hazards in the rental agreements for most properties built before 1978. Sellers and landlords must distribute an EPA-approved information pamphlet called “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home” and disclose any known lead hazards in the property. These obligations were established by Section 1018 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.
• Nonrefundable Fees (WS § 1-21-1207). If a landlord charges any nonrefundable fees or deposits, they must provide written notice of this fact in the Wyoming lease agreement.

Additional Reading: Wyoming Residential Lease Agreement

Wyoming Rent and Fee Laws

Wyoming gives landlords and tenants broad flexibility to set rental terms through the lease agreement. The state does not regulate rent control, late fees, or application charges, but it does establish some limits and legal remedies for specific situations. Below are the main rules surrounding rent payments and fees in Wyoming.

Rent Payments

• Due Date: There is no state statute in Wyoming specifying when rent should be due. However, it is typically due on the first of each month.
• Rent Increases: There is no statewide rent control in Wyoming.
• Grace Period: There is no mandatory grace period in Wyoming.

Fees

• Application Fees: Rental application fees are not regulated in Wyoming.
• Late Fees: There is no statutory limit on late fees in Wyoming. Landlords may adopt any reasonable late rent policy.
• NSF/Bounced Check Fee Maximum: If the tenant’s rent check bounces, the landlord may charge a fee of $30 (WS § 1-1-115(b)).

Tenant Remedies

• Withholding Rent/Repair and Deduct: Wyoming law does not explicitly give tenants permission to withhold rent or repair and deduct. However, Wyoming does outline tenants’ remedies should the landlord fail to fulfill their duties as per the law or lease agreement. The tenant must first serve a written notice of noncompliance. If, after a reasonable time, the landlord has not corrected the condition, the tenant may serve a “notice to repair or correct condition” by certified mail. This notice should recite the previous notice, state the number of days elapsed, state the conditions requiring correction, demand the remedy, and state that if reasonable corrective action is not taken within three days, the tenant will commence a civil action in circuit court. If the tenant wins, the court may award the tenant damages, including rent collected improperly (WS § 1-21-1206).

Wyoming Security Deposit Laws

Nearly all states have laws governing how landlords may collect, use, and return tenant security deposits. Wyoming is no exception. These rules cover when deposits must be returned, what landlords can deduct, and how to handle special situations like unpaid utility bills. Below are the security deposit laws in Wyoming.

• Deposit Limit: There is no limit on security deposit amounts in Wyoming.
• Interest: Landlords in Wyoming are not required to pay interest on security deposits (WS § 1-21-1208(a)).
• Return Within: 30 days. If there is damage to the rental unit, the return period is extended to 60 days (WS § 1-21-1208(a)). Additionally, if there is a separate utilities deposit, these funds must be returned within 10 days of confirming that the tenant paid all utility charges (WS § 1-21-1208(b)).
• Deposit Location: Landlords are not required to keep security deposits in a separate bank account.
• Withholding: Landlords may withhold funds from the security deposit for unpaid rent, damages to the unit beyond reasonable wear and tear, cleaning costs, and any other costs provided in the rental agreement. Landlords must itemize these deductions in a written notice and deliver it to the tenant, along with the balance and remainder of the security deposit (WS § 1-21-1208(a)).

Wyoming Tenant Screening and Fair Housing Protections

What actions are considered housing discrimination?

Federal law protects tenants in all states from discriminatory housing practices. The Federal Fair Housing Act (Title 24 USC § 3601-3607) prohibits discrimination in nearly every aspect of the housing process. Housing discrimination can occur at any point, including when landlords:

• Accept or deny rental applications
• Set tenant screening criteria
• Advertise rental properties
• Write listings or descriptions
• Set rent amounts or deposits
• Offer rent concessions or discounts
• Provide or withhold repairs and services
• Enforce lease rules or initiate evictions
• etc.

What are the protected classes in Wyoming?

Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, landlords may not discriminate based on the following seven protected classes:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• National origin
• Familial status
• Disability

Wyoming state law reaffirms these protections and clarifies that pregnancy is included in familial status (WS § 40-26-102, 40-26-103).

Use of Credit Reports

Wyoming landlords are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (15 USC § 1681), which outlines the responsibilities of landlords to protect tenant credit information. According to the Act, landlords may not share tenant credit information with anyone without a legal reason to view it. They must also investigate disputed information, dispose of credit reports after use in tenant screening, and notify applicants when their credit score or history was the reason for their denial.

Use of Criminal Histories

Criminal background checks may be used during prospective tenant screening in Wyoming. Wyoming state law specifically allows landlords to discriminate against an individual due to a federal or state conviction for the illegal manufacture or distribution of controlled substances (WS § 40-26-103(c)). Wyoming landlords should follow HUD recommendations for using criminal background checks fairly. This includes avoiding blanket policies for denying applicants with criminal convictions, assessing applicants and their criminal histories on a case-by-case basis, and only denying an applicant when they demonstrate a risk to the safety of other residents or the property.

Additional Reading: Wyoming Background Checks & Screening Online

Wyoming Landlord Entry Laws

Wyoming does not have specific laws requiring notice, restricting entry times, or addressing emergency access. However, landlords should still respect tenant privacy and give reasonable notice when possible.

• Advanced Notice: There is no state law in Wyoming requiring landlords to give advance notice before entering a property.
• Permitted Times: Wyoming state law does not designate any time-of-day restrictions for entering.
• Emergency Entry: There are no laws in Wyoming regarding emergency entry without notice.

Wyoming Eviction Notices

Evictions are complex legal processes often poorly understood by both parties. Before pursuing eviction in Wyoming, consider hiring an experienced real estate attorney and be sure to review the Wyoming eviction process in more detail.

If you pursue eviction in Wyoming, the first step is to serve a formal written notice. Wyoming recognizes different types of eviction notices, each depending on the reason for termination:

• Notice for Lease Violation: 3 days to cure or quit. According to Wyoming laws on eviction, this notice covers any possible reason for eviction, including nonpayment of rent, property damage, refusal of access, illegal activity, or any other lease violation (WS § 1-21-1002, 1-21-1003).

Additional Reading: Wyoming Eviction Process and Laws [2025]

Wyoming Squatter’s Rights

Squatters are individuals who occupy a property without the owner’s permission and without a valid lease agreement. In Wyoming, removing a squatter requires going through the formal eviction process, even if the person never paid rent or had legal occupancy.

Wyoming law does not allow landlords to use self-help measures such as changing the locks, turning off utilities, or physically removing a squatter. To remove a squatter, landlords must serve proper written notice and file for eviction through the local circuit court. Only a court order and law enforcement can legally remove someone from the property. Attempting to bypass this process can delay removal and increase liability.

Before pursuing legal action against a squatter, landlords should consult an experienced real estate attorney to ensure full compliance with Wyoming law.

Additional Reading: Wyoming Squatter's Rights & Adverse Possession Laws [2025]

Other Laws and Facts About Wyoming

• The current average rent rate in Wyoming is $1,250 per month, according to Zillow.
• The current average rent rate in Cheyenne is $1,250 per month, according to Zillow.
• Wyoming is the least-populated state in the U.S., with fewer than 600,000 residents. Despite its vast open land and growing housing market, Wyoming has more wildlife than people.

Conclusion

Wyoming offers a landlord-friendly legal landscape, characterized by the absence of rent control and streamlined eviction processes, making it appealing to property owners and investors. However, compliance with federal, state, and local laws is essential to ensure smooth rental operations. Wyoming landlords must navigate these legal requirements, including tenant rights and necessary disclosures, to foster successful landlord-tenant relationships. Staying informed about current laws and potential changes helps landlords maintain compliance and protect their investments in Wyoming's dynamic rental market.

FAQs

What makes Wyoming a landlord-friendly state?

Wyoming offers a landlord-friendly environment due to the absence of rent control, minimal regulations on late fees and security deposits, and a streamlined eviction process outlined in Wyoming landlord laws.

Are there regulations for rent increases in Wyoming?

No, Wyoming does not have statewide rent control. Landlords are free to increase rent as per the lease terms, in accordance with Wyoming landlord laws.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?

Landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days or 60 days if there are damages.

Can landlords charge nonrefundable fees?

Yes, Wyoming allows nonrefundable rental fees, but landlords must disclose them in the lease agreement.

What is the eviction notice period for lease violations?

For lease violations, landlords must provide a 3-day cure-or-quit notice.

Are there specific requirements for landlord entry?

Wyoming rental law does not require advance notice before entry, but landlords should still respect tenant privacy when possible. Most landlords provide at least 24 hours’ notice before entry for repairs, showings, or inspections.

How does Wyoming protect tenants against discrimination?

Wyoming follows the Federal Fair Housing Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability.

Can a tenant use a security deposit for last month's rent?

No — unless explicitly allowed by the lease, tenants cannot use the security deposit for last month's rent.

Are landlords allowed to use tenant credit information freely?

Landlords must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which restricts the sharing and use of tenant credit information without a legal reason.

What should landlords do if they encounter a squatter?

Landlords must pursue formal eviction procedures through local courts and avoid self-help measures like changing locks or turning off utilities.

Free Downloads

1. Wyoming Residential Lease Agreement Template
2. Wyoming Quitclaim Deed
3. Wyoming Residential Lease Agreement Template
4. Wyoming 3-Day Notice to Quit
5. Wyoming Lease Unconditional Quit Notices
6. Wyoming Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
7. Wyoming Rental Application

Resources

1. Wyoming Residential Rental Property Act
2. Wyoming Landlord Tenant Info
3. Resources for Wyoming Renters
4. Wyoming Eviction Process & Laws [2025]
5. Wyoming Housing Market Trends & Forecast
6. Real Estate Terms & Definitions