Wyoming Security Deposit Law

Maximum deposit

Wyoming sets no limit on the amount of a security deposit, but the rental agreement must state whether any part is nonrefundable and the renter must get written notice of that when the deposit is taken (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1207, 1-21-1208). (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211 (no amount limit); § 1-21-1207 (nonrefundable portion must be disclosed))

Return deadline

Landlords must deliver or mail the deposit balance, any prepaid rent, and a written itemization of deductions within 30 days after the rental agreement terminates or 15 days after receiving the renter's new mailing address, whichever is later, extended by 30 days if the unit is damaged (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a)). (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a), Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1201(a)(v) ('termination' defined))

Itemized statement of deductions

The deposit balance must be accompanied by a written itemization of any deductions and the reasons for them (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a)). (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a))

Interest on the deposit

Wyoming landlords do not owe interest on security deposits; the statute says the balance is returned without interest (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a)). (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a) ('delivered or mailed without interest'))

Deposit balance is returned 'without interest'

Penalty for wrongful withholding

A landlord who unreasonably fails to return the deposit or itemize on time can be ordered to return the full deposit plus court costs (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(c)). (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(c))

Where the deposit is held

Wyoming lets landlords hold deposits however they like, as the Residential Rental Property Act has no separate-account or trust rule (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211). (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211 (no account requirement))

Receipt or written notice of the deposit

Wyoming requires no deposit receipt or notice of where the money is kept, though the renter must get written notice at the time of payment if any part of the deposit is nonrefundable (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1207). (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211 (no receipt provision); § 1-21-1207)

Move-in condition checklist

Wyoming has no move-in checklist law, but because cleaning deductions are measured against the unit's condition at the start of the lease, a documented move-in inspection is prudent (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1204(a)(viii), 1-21-1208(a)). (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211 (no checklist provision); §§ 1-21-1204(a)(viii), 1-21-1208(a))

Pet deposits

Wyoming has no pet-deposit rule; its only animal provision says assistance animals must be allowed in rentals as the federal Fair Housing Act requires, with the renter liable for any damage they cause (Wyo. Stat. § 35-13-201(c)). (Wyo. Stat. § 35-13-201(c), Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211 (no pet provision))

Nonrefundable fees

Wyoming allows part of a deposit to be nonrefundable, but only if the lease says so and the renter is told in writing when the deposit is taken (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1207). (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1207)

The disclosure must appear in the rental agreement and in a written notice given to the renter when the deposit is collected. The statute does not cap or ban nonrefundable portions; the refundable balance follows the § 1-21-1208 return and itemization rules.

Small-landlord exemptions

Wyoming's deposit rules apply only to a renter's principal residence and expressly leave out mobile home lots and recreational property rented occasionally (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1201(a)(iv)). (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1201(a)(iv))

A 'residential rental unit' is the renter's principal place of residence, so the deposit rules do not reach mobile home lots or recreational property rented on an occasional basis (§ 1-21-1201(a)(iv)). There is no exemption based on landlord size or owner-occupancy.

Deposit alternatives and installments

Wyoming law does not address deposit-replacement insurance, surety bonds or installment deposits (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211). (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211 (no deposit-alternative provision))