Wyoming Security Deposit Law: Limits, Deadlines, and Penalties
What Wyoming landlords can charge, when deposits must be returned, and what it costs to get it wrong. Last reviewed 2026-08-12.
How much can a landlord charge in Wyoming?
Wyoming sets no cap on residential security deposits. Any portion designated nonrefundable must be stated in the rental agreement and disclosed to the renter in written notice when the deposit is taken.
Pet deposits are permitted with no statutory limit, but any nonrefundable pet deposit or fee must be stated in the rental agreement and disclosed in writing when taken (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1207).
When must the deposit be returned?
The owner must return the deposit with an itemization within 30 days after the rental agreement terminates or within 15 days after receiving the renter's new mailing address, whichever is later. If there is damage to the unit, the period is extended by 30 days (up to roughly 60 days total). The renter must notify the owner of a delivery address within 30 days of termination.
Any deductions must be listed in a written itemization stating the reason for each, delivered or mailed with the remaining balance. A separate utilities deposit must be refunded within 10 days after the renter shows all utility charges were paid.
What happens if a landlord misses the deadline?
If the owner unreasonably fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized notice, the renter may sue and recover the full deposit plus court costs. There is no statutory multiplier; conversely, if the renter sues unreasonably and loses, the court may award the owner its court costs.
Interest and holding requirements
Wyoming does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits, and unpaid amounts a tenant owes beyond the deposit accrue interest at 10% per year in the landlord's favor.
No statutory requirement. Wyoming does not require a separate or escrow account for deposits.
What Wyoming landlords get wrong
Wyoming's deadline math is more forgiving than most states: 30 days from lease termination or 15 days from receiving the tenant's new mailing address, whichever is later, with an automatic 30-day extension when the unit is damaged. Deductions may cover unpaid rent, damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, cleaning the unit back to its move-in condition, and other costs the rental agreement provides. If you collect any nonrefundable deposit — a common pet-fee structure — it must be stated in the rental agreement and confirmed in written notice when the money is taken, or it is refundable. Handle separate utility deposits promptly: 10 days after proof the utility bills were paid.
The law itself
Frequently asked questions
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Wyoming?
Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends, or within 15 days after the landlord receives your new mailing address, whichever is later — so send your forwarding address promptly, and within 30 days of moving out. If the unit has damage, the landlord gets 30 additional days, extending the total to about 60 days. Any deductions must arrive as a written, itemized list with reasons.
Can a landlord in Wyoming keep a nonrefundable deposit?
Only if it was disclosed properly. Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1207 requires the rental agreement to state whether any portion of a deposit is nonrefundable, and the landlord must also give you written notice of that fact when the deposit is collected. A deposit or pet fee that was never labeled nonrefundable in the agreement must be treated as refundable at move-out.
What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Wyoming?
Unpaid rent, damage to the unit beyond reasonable wear and tear, the cost of cleaning the unit back to its condition at the start of the rental agreement, and other costs the rental contract provides for. Each deduction must be itemized in writing with the reason. If damages exceed the deposit, the landlord can sue you for the difference plus 10% annual interest on unpaid amounts.
What happens if a Wyoming landlord does not return the deposit?
If the landlord unreasonably fails to return your deposit or send the itemized deduction notice on time, you can sue — typically in circuit court's small claims process — and recover the full deposit plus your court costs. Wyoming has no double- or triple-damages penalty. Be aware the statute cuts both ways: if you sue unreasonably and lose, the court can award the landlord its court costs.
Keep reading
Deposit deadlines are easy to miss — until they cost you triple.
Vantric tracks your leases, deposits, and move-out dates in one place, built for landlords with 1–10 units.
Start Free TrialThis page is general information, not legal advice. Statutes change — verify against the official text linked above or consult a local attorney before acting.