The Full Guide on Landlord Tenant Laws - Wyoming

Landlords and tenants must navigate a tapestry of state and local rental laws in Wyoming. Referred to as landlord-tenant laws, these statutes impact rental owner’s and their counterpart’s rights, responsibilities, and relationships. Comprehending and adhering to these regulations can be a challenge for most, even seasoned landlords and renters.

To help overcome this challenge, we crafted this guide that covers key rental topics like lease agreements, security deposits, tenant screening, and so much more. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, this guide will prepare you with a thorough understanding of Wyoming’s rental laws, as outlined in 2022 Wyoming Statutes Title 1.

Landlords will learn how to protect their rental properties and investments, while tenants will discover how to assert their fundamental rights. Let’s get started!

Wyoming landlord tenant law fast facts

Wyoming landlord responsibilities and rights

Rights

Wyoming state law grants landlords certain rights to effectively manage their rental properties, safeguarding them from potential legal and financial complications. Some key rights in Wyoming include:

• Charging and receiving timely rent payments
• Collecting security deposits to address unforeseen expenses at the end of a lease
• Pursuing legal eviction proceedings if the tenant breaches the terms of the rental agreement

Responsibilities

Wyoming rental owners also have a set of obligations to uphold during a tenancy. Their key duties include:

• Providing tenants with a safe and habitable rental unit free of housing discrimination
• Making repairs in a reasonable amount of time after receiving written notice from retners
• Returning the tenant’s security deposit within 15 to 60 days depending on whether there is rental damage and when the tenant provides a forwarding address

Wyoming tenant responsibilities and rights

Rights

In Wyoming, renters are empowered with essential rights designed to ensure their safety and well-being in rental properties. These core rights include:

• Residing in a rental property that meets health and safety codes, is habitable, and is free from housing discrimination
• Promptly receiving repairs after providing written notice to the landlord
• Pursuing legal action in the event of a landlord's breach of the lease agreement

Responsibilities

Tenants in Wyoming also bear specific responsibilities. Typically, these duties ensure the proper maintenance of the rental property and the landlord avoids financial harm. In Wyoming, tenants are required to:

• Pay rent when due
• Not disturb other tenants or neighbors
• Keep the unit clean and sanitary
• Remove all garbage and waste
• Keep common areas clean, if applicable
• Use all facilities, appliances, and utilities in a reasonable manner
• Make small repairs and perform maintenance as needed
• Not damage or destory any part of the property
• Allow the landlord to enter the property for reasons related to the tenancy during reasonable hours
• Avoid exceeding the maximum number of people allowed in the rental unit, according to the lease

Wyoming landlord tenant laws through the rental cycle

Wyoming rental application and tenant screening laws

Wyoming's laws on rental applications and the tenant screening process are fairly straightforward. The state does not limit how much a landlord can charge for a rental application fee, and the fee does not have to be made refundable. Additionally, landlords cannot ask any questions on the rental application that may lead to housing discrimination. To run background checks, landlords must first obtain the prospective tenant’s written consent.

Wyoming lease agreement and lease termination laws

In Wyoming, both oral and written lease agreements are biding. However, written agreements are not valid without both parties’ signatures. 

Wyoming state law does not require any specific clauses to be included in lease agreements, but it’s recommended to include the following information: the landlord’s information, rent amount and due date, security deposit information, lease length, and more. Learn what other information you should include in your rental agreement today!

Wyoming law does not specify how much notice a tenant must provide landlord before terminating a lease. Thus, landlords and tenants can come to an agreement on a minimum notice period.

Wyoming tenants can terminate lease agreements early for the following legal reasons:

• Active military duty
• Early termination clause
• Landlord harassment 
• Uninhabitable unit
• Domestic violence

Wyoming security deposit laws

Like in other states, Wyoming landlords can collect a security deposit at the start of the lease to cover unforseen costs at the end of the tenancy. Landlords are not required to document the condition of the rental before collecting the deposit and there is no limit on how much a landlord can charge for the deposit.

At the end of the lease period, the landlord must return the tenant’s security deposit within 15 to 60 days, depending on whether the landlord will be deducting from the deposit for rental damages and when the tenant provides a forwarding address. Landlords can deduct from the security deposit for reasons including rental damage exceeding normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, cleaning costs, and other charges outlined in the lease.

If the landlord fails to comply with the notice period or wrongfully withholds funds, tenants can sue for the full security deposit plus court costs.

Wyoming rent laws

Wyoming does not have rent control laws and prohibits its cities and towns from creating their own laws. This allows landlords to charge any amount of rent and increase rent as often as they choose, as long as it’s not during the lease period (unless the lease allows for it). Wyoming state law doesn’t specify how much advance notice a landlord should provide a tenant before raising rent. Thus, the two parties can agree upon on a minimum notice period to be included in the lease.

If a Wyoming tenant fails to pay rent on time, landlords are not required to provide a grace period before instating a late fee. There is no limit on late fees, but they must be reasonable.

Wyoming renters cannot withhold rent for any reason, including trying to force the landlord to make necessary repairs.

Wyoming repair and maintenance laws

Wyoming landlords are required to make repairs within a “reasonable time” after receiving written notice from tenants. If landlords fail to make repairs in a timely manner, renters can take several legal actions: sue for costs, file a court order to force the landlord to make repairs, and cancel the rental agreement. Unlike other states, tenants usually cannot withhold rent or use the “repair and deduct” remedy.

Wyoming notice of entry laws

Landlords can enter rental premises in Wyoming for reasons including inspections, maintenance, and property showings. Because renters have the right to quiet enjoyment, landlords must provide advance notice (usually 24 to 48 hours) before entering the property, unless it’s for an emergency. Landlords can only enter the property at reasonable times.

Wyoming eviction laws

In Wyoming, landlords can evict tenants if a lease violation has occurred. Before evicting the tenant, landlords must provide a 3-day notice to quit. If the tenant fails to meet the terms of the notice then the landlord may move forward with eviction proceedings. Lease violations in Wyoming include unpaid rent, health and safety issues, damaging the rental property, disturbing other tenant and neighbor’s right to quiet enjoyment, refusing to allow the landlord to enter the property to make repairs, having too many people in the unit, and failing to move out when the lease is up.

Additional Wyoming landlord tenant laws

Apart from regulations about evictions and security deposits, Wyoming also has laws about landlord retaliation, discrimination, and other matters. Let's look at some of these laws more closely below.

Housing discrimination

Only federal laws protect Wyoming tenants from housing discrimination. Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, landlords are prohibited from discriminating against renters based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. However, in Wyoming, these regulations do not apply to some rental units operated by religious organizations or owner-occupied homes.

If a landlord violates housing discrimination laws, such as by refusing to rent to a tenant or falsely claiming a rental unit is unavailable, tenants can seek legal help and file a complaint with Wyoming’s Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Landlord retaliation

Unlike most other US states, Wyoming does not have any statutes prohibiting landlord retaliation. Thus, if tenants take actions like reporting landlords for housing code violations, landlords may evict, raise rent, or take other retaliatory actions in response.

Mandatory disclosures

Wyoming law requires landlords to provide tenants with certain disclosures at the start of a lease term. Those disclosures include:

• Lead-based paint: Landlords who own rental units built before 1978 must provide information about the concentration of lead-based paints.‍
• Nonrefundable fees: Any nonrefundable fees, like late fees, must be disclosed in the lease.

Navigating Wyoming’s landlord tenant laws with confidence

Wyoming’s rental regulations provide a clear outline of landlords’ and tenants’ rights and responsibilities. By understanding and following these regulations, rental property owners and renters can navigate the entire process with confidence. Landlords can safeguard their rental investments, tenants can assert their rights, and both parties can work together to create a positive landlord-tenant relationship. It's a win-win situation for everyone!

Landlords, if you need help with collecting rent or creating a lease agreement, and tenants, if you are looking to boost your credit, Azibo has got you covered. Learn about all of the benefits of using our free rental software today!

Wyoming landlord tenant law FAQ

Is Wyoming considered a “landlord friendly” state?

Yes, Wyoming is a landlord-friendly state–evident in its 5th place on the list of landlord-friendly states. The state doesn’t have rent control laws and has very few regulations on habitability and repairs. Additionally, landlords have broad rights to evict tenants. Even when there are clear legal requirements, Wyoming landlords can usually sign away their responsibilities in the rental agreement. Looking to invest in real estate? Learn how to pick a landlord-friendly state now!

What is the limit a landlord or tenant can sue for in Wyoming Small Claims Court?

Wyoming’s Small Claims Court handles disputes between landlords and tenants involving only small amounts of money. Thus, cases can be handled in a simplified and quick manner. Landlords and tenants in the state can settle minor disputes without hiring an attorney if the amount of the case is less than $6,000. The process usually takes one to two months.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only. This content may not constitute the most up-to-date legal information. No reader, user, or browser of this article should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information herein without first seeking the advice of a legal professional.