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Wyoming Security Deposit Law, in Plain English

Wyoming's deposit rules are among the most landlord-friendly in the country — no cap, no interest, a deadline that stretches to 60 days when damage is claimed, and a penalty limited to the deposit plus court costs. What the statute does insist on is disclosure: a nonrefundable fee must be written into the lease and noticed again when the money changes hands. Here's how Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1207 through 1-21-1209 actually work, for both sides of the lease.

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30 / 15 daysReturn and itemize within 30 days after termination or 15 days after the tenant's new address, whichever is later
+30 daysThe extension when the landlord claims damage to the unit
No capWyoming sets no limit on deposit size, and refunds are made without interest
2 disclosuresWhat a nonrefundable fee requires — in the lease, and in written notice when the deposit is taken
Full deposit + costsWhat a tenant recovers when the landlord unreasonably fails to comply

No cap, no interest — but "nonrefundable" must be disclosed twice

Wyoming sets no limit on deposit size, and § 1-21-1208 says the refund is made without interest. There's no separate-account rule.

The statute's one up-front protection is about labels. Under § 1-21-1207, the rental agreement shall state whether any portion of a deposit is nonrefundable, and written notice of this fact shall also be provided to the renter at the time the deposit is taken. Both disclosures are required. A "nonrefundable cleaning fee" that appears for the first time on the move-out statement is a refundable deposit.

After termination: 30 days, or 15 after your new address — plus 30 more if damage is claimed

The balance of the deposit and any prepaid rent, together with a written itemization of deductions and the reasons, must be delivered or mailed within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement or within 15 days after receipt of the renter's new mailing address, whichever is later. If there is damage to the unit, that period is extended by 30 days — up to 60 days total when the base period is the 30-day one.

The permitted deductions are four: accrued rent; damages to the unit beyond reasonable wear and tear; the cost to clean the unit to its condition at the beginning of the rental agreement; and other costs provided by any contract. Faded paint and carpet worn by ordinary living are reasonable wear, not damage.

Send the new mailing address in writing when you leave — it's one of the two triggers, and the statute measures the deadline against it.

"Condition at the beginning of the rental agreement" is the whole test. Record it on day one.

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PropInspect is a documentation tool, not a compliance service or legal-advice product. Using PropInspect does not guarantee compliance with Wyoming law or a particular result in a deposit dispute.

A separate clock for utility deposits

Wyoming treats a utilities deposit on its own timeline. It must be refunded within 10 days after the renter shows that all utility charges are paid. If the renter provides no such proof within 45 days, the landlord may apply the deposit to outstanding utility debt within 15 days and return any surplus within 7 days — or 15 days after receiving a new address — whichever is later. Bring the final utility bills to move-out.

When it goes wrong: the full deposit, plus court costs

If the owner or agent unreasonably fails to comply with the return or itemization rules, the renter may recover the full deposit and court costs. That's the whole penalty — no doubling, no trebling, no attorney's fee award. The obligation survives a sale: the holder of the owner's interest at termination is bound (§ 1-21-1209).

Disputes go to the Small Claims Division of the Circuit Court, which hears claims up to $6,000 — per the Wyoming Judicial Branch — informal, attorneys optional, with a right to appeal to District Court within 10 days for a new trial. The winning file: the lease and any nonrefundable-fee disclosure, the new-address notice, the itemization or proof none arrived within the applicable period, and dated room-by-room photos from both ends of the tenancy.

Frequently asked questions

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

30 days after the rental agreement ends, or 15 days after the landlord receives your new mailing address — whichever is later. If the landlord is claiming damage to the unit, that period is extended by 30 days. Within the window you get the balance of the deposit and any prepaid rent, without interest, plus a written itemization of deductions and the reasons. Send your new address in writing when you leave.

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Wyoming?

There's no statutory cap, and the statute says the refund is made without interest. What Wyoming regulates is disclosure: if any part of the deposit is nonrefundable, the lease must say so and you must get separate written notice when you pay it.

Can a Wyoming landlord keep a 'nonrefundable' deposit?

Only if it was disclosed twice: the rental agreement must state that the portion is nonrefundable, and the landlord must give you written notice of that when the deposit is taken (§ 1-21-1207). A fee that shows up as 'nonrefundable' for the first time at move-out is a refundable deposit.

What can a landlord deduct from a deposit in Wyoming?

Accrued rent, damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, the cost to clean the unit back to its condition at the start of the lease, and other costs your contract provides for — each itemized with reasons in the written statement. Ordinary aging of paint and carpet isn't deductible.

What happens if the landlord unreasonably ignores the deadline or the itemization?

You may recover the full deposit plus court costs — the statute's word is 'unreasonably fails to comply.' Wyoming has no double or treble damages and no attorney's fee award, so most tenants bring it in small claims without a lawyer.

How are utility deposits handled in Wyoming?

Separately. A utilities deposit must be refunded within 10 days after you show all utility charges are paid; if you don't show that within 45 days, the landlord may apply it to any unpaid utility debt within 15 days and return the surplus within 7 days (or 15 days after your new address), whichever is later.

Does Wyoming require a move-in inspection or photos?

No. Article 12 has no checklist, walkthrough, or photo requirement. That leaves 'condition at the beginning of the rental agreement' entirely to the evidence — and in a small claims dispute, the side with dated room-by-room documentation from move-in usually wins.

Where do deposit disputes go in Wyoming?

The Small Claims Division of the Circuit Court, for claims up to $6,000 — informal, and attorneys are optional. Bring the lease, any nonrefundable-fee disclosure, your new-address notice, the itemization or proof none arrived, and dated move-in and move-out photos.

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