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Contents
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For accuracy and specific guidance on landlord-tenant laws, consult an attorney before making any decisions or taking action.
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Wyoming's landlord-tenant laws, primarily governed by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, establish essential rights and obligations for both parties involved in rental agreements.
Wyoming state law grants landlords specific rights to effectively manage their rental properties, protecting them from potential legal and financial complications. Key rights include:
Landlords in Wyoming also have critical obligations during a tenancy. Their key duties include:
Tenants in Wyoming are empowered with essential rights designed to ensure their safety and well-being in rental properties. Core rights include:
Tenants also bear specific responsibilities that help maintain the property and protect landlords' financial interests. These duties include:
Landlords in Wyoming must provide ‘reasonable’ notice before entering rental units. Tenants are prohibited from “unreasonably” denying access to the rental unit or refusing a landlord entry (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1205)
In emergencies, landlords may enter without prior notice.
Wyoming law does not impose a statutory limit on late fees. Landlords may adopt any reasonable late rent policy as long as it is clearly stated in the lease agreement.
This flexibility allows landlords to establish terms that suit their management style while ensuring tenants are aware of potential penalties for late payments.
There is no mandatory grace period in Wyoming.
Wyoming does not impose statewide rent control laws, allowing landlords significant discretion in setting and increasing rental prices. This absence of regulation means that landlords can adjust rents to reflect current market conditions when a lease expires or with proper notice during an existing lease term.
There is no state statute regarding the required notice periods for raising rent in Wyoming. However, it is considered best practice that landlords follow the notice period guidelines outlined below when raising rents in order to maintain good relations with tenants and avoid potential legal disputes:
There are no statutory limits on how much landlords can increase rent from one lease term to another.
Some leases may include clauses allowing landlords to pass through increases in property taxes, utilities, maintenance costs, and other expenses. Such provisions enable landlords to raise rents under the terms outlined in the lease agreement without additional notice.
While Wyoming's laws grant landlords broad authority to increase rents, certain restrictions are in place:
Wyoming's rental application laws are designed to promote transparency and fairness in the housing process, benefiting both landlords and tenants. Understanding these laws is crucial for fostering a respectful rental relationship.
Below is a comprehensive overview of key components related to rental applications in Wyoming.
Landlords in Wyoming should be familiar with the state's specific tenant screening regulations, which differ from those in neighboring states. Staying up-to-date on these laws is crucial for effective tenant management.
Here are some key details about Wyoming tenant screening:
No statute. In Wyoming, landlords have the discretion to set application fees without any statutory limit. This means that landlords can charge any amount they deem appropriate. Application fees in Wyoming are non-refundable.
Despite there being no statute landlords should make sure the application fees are reasonable and use the fees to cover the actual cost of screening the tenant and processing the application.
The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits discrimination against tenants based on several protected categories, including:
While Wyoming adheres to these federal standards, it also allows certain local exemptions. For instance, landlords may inquire about a tenant's age when renting to seniors or ask if prospective tenants have children when evaluating applications for family-oriented housing.
Transparency in the screening process is essential. Landlords are required to inform potential tenants about the criteria used for screening and the reasons for any potential denial or approval of their application.
To ensure compliance, landlords must obtain a signature from applicants acknowledging that they have received this information.
Under the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), landlords must obtain written consent from applicants before conducting credit checks. This requirement ensures that tenants are aware of their rights regarding personal information and credit history.
The application form should include a section where applicants can provide this consent, thereby safeguarding both parties and promoting a fair screening process.
A well-structured rental application should encompass various critical elements:
Including these components not only streamlines the application process but also provides landlords with the necessary information to make informed decisions.
Before finalizing any lease agreement, landlords must disclose several important details to prospective tenants:
Source: Free Wyoming Rental Application Form | LawDistrict
Understanding security deposit laws is crucial for both landlords and tenants in Wyoming. These laws, primarily outlined in Wyo Stat § 1-21-1208, establish the framework for collecting, managing, and returning security deposits.
Wyoming law does not set a maximum limit on security deposits. This means landlords are free to determine the deposit amount based on their discretion, as long as it is stated in the rental agreement.
Generally speaking a reasonable security deposit is deemed to be equal to 1 - 2 months rent which is collected alongside the first and/or last month's rent before the beginning of the tenancy.
Wyoming law does not explicitly address pet deposits. However, landlords can include specific clauses in the rental agreement regarding pet deposits, and such deposits can be considered part of the overall security deposit. These deposits, like other security deposits, can be used to cover damages beyond reasonable wear and tear, including damage caused by pets, as long as the rental agreement allows for it.
If a landlord intends to retain any portion of the pet deposit, they must follow the same guidelines as with standard security deposits, including providing an itemized list of deductions upon lease termination.
Note that landlords cannot ask for a pet deposit in Wyoming or any other state for animals that are deemed to be assistance animals as these are protected under Fair Housing Laws.
Upon lease termination, landlords can apply the security deposit to:
Landlords must provide a written itemization of any deductions made from the security deposit, along with the reasons for the deductions. This itemization must be delivered or mailed to the renter within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement or within 15 days after receiving the renter’s new mailing address, whichever is later. (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a))
Wyoming statute Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208 does not specify any particular way landlords must hold security deposits, such as in a separate bank account. does not include provisions on how security deposits should be held during the tenancy.
It is always good practice to hold security deposits in a separate bank account designated solely for this purpose and inform the tenant of its location within a reasonable time. This ensures that the funds remain in trust for the tenant until the lease concludes.
Landlords must return the balance of the deposit and provide the written itemization of any deductions within:
If there is damage to the rental unit, this period is extended by an additional 30 days, making the total time up to 60 days in such cases, according to Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a)
Should a landlord fail to comply with these timelines or provide proper documentation, tenants may be entitled to recover their full deposit along with court costs if they pursue legal action.
No, Wyoming law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. In fact, WY Stat § 1-21-1208 specifically states that the deposit is to be returned without interest.
A rental agreement, or lease, is a legally binding document in Wyoming that outlines the terms between a landlord and tenant. Below is an overview of the key components of a lease that can help both parties avoid conflicts and ensure a smooth rental experience.
Wyoming does allow oral lease agreements, but they are only enforceable for leases of one year or less.
It is recommended that landlords put all leases, no matter the length, into written contracts to avoid potential legal disputes down the line. Without a written contract it may be hard to enforce certain aspects of the lease.
Landlords must adhere to federal and local housing discrimination laws, protecting tenants from unfair treatment based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, or disability.
Free Resources: Wyoming Standard Residential Lease Agreement | eForms
Breaking a lease in Wyoming can be a complex matter, involving various legal considerations and potential consequences for both tenants and landlords.
When a tenant breaks a lease, they may be liable for rent until a new tenant is found or until the lease period expires, unless the lease agreement specifies otherwise.
According to the Wyoming Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, landlords must mitigate damages by actively seeking a new tenant. This means that landlords cannot simply sit back and wait for the lease to expire; they must make reasonable efforts to re-rent the property, which can help reduce the financial burden on the departing tenant.
Wyoming law does not stipulate a notice period for bringing a lease to an end in its statute. Typically, a lease with a fixed term end date cannot be terminated early unless a breach of the lease has occurred.
For a periodic lease, such as a month-to-month lease, however, a 30 day notice to vacate is required to bring the lease to an end. (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1203) Though a longer notice period can be beneficial allowing more time for the landlord to find a replacement tenant and the tenant to find a replacement home.
Landlords should outline their specific requirements in the lease agreement. The notice should clearly state the party’s intention to terminate the lease and include the proposed vacating date.
Failure to provide adequate notice may result in financial liabilities for the tenant or legal disputes for the landlords.
Tenants in Wyoming may seek early termination of their lease under certain circumstances. Common legal grounds include:
It is essential for tenants to carefully review their lease agreements and state laws to understand the specific conditions under which early termination is permissible. Verifying that their reasons align with legal standards can prevent disputes or financial repercussions.
In Wyoming there is an additional law that allows rental property owners the right to early termination of a lease should the renter notify them in writing about a failure to meet health and safety standards (e.g., no heat or unsafe conditions).
The owner can refuse to correct the issue if the cost of repairs is deemed unreasonable, the owner has the right to then terminate the lease under these conditions.
The owner must notify the renter of the termination in writing within a reasonable time, giving the renter a period of at least 10 days but no more than 20 days to find substitute housing and vacate the premises. (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1203(d))
The renter will receive prorated rent and a refund of any deposit due according to (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208)
In Wyoming, the eviction process is structured to balance the rights of both landlords and tenants, ensuring disputes are resolved fairly and legally.
Wyoming eviction Law is covered by (Wyo. Stat. 10 § 1.21.1001 to § 1.21.1017)
Landlords in Wyoming must adhere to specific legal grounds when initiating an eviction. The primary reasons include:
Each of these grounds requires adherence to specific protocols and documentation, including the appropriate eviction forms recognized by Wyoming courts.
Wyoming law mandates specific notice requirements within the eviction process timeline. Depending on the violation, landlords must provide tenants with a Notice to Quit, which can range from three days for nonpayment of rent to up to thirty days for other lease violations.
These notices are legally binding prerequisites before filing an eviction complaint and are critical steps toward regaining possession of a property.
If the tenant fails to pay rent within three days after it is due, the landlord can issue a written notice demanding payment. If the tenant does not pay within the three-day period, the landlord may initiate eviction proceedings.
If a tenant violates any terms of the lease agreement (such as unauthorized pets, illegal activity, or damaging the property), the landlord can give the tenant a three-day notice to cure the violation. If the tenant does not resolve the issue, the landlord can pursue eviction.
If a tenant continues to occupy the rental property after the lease has expired without the landlord’s consent (a holdover tenant), the landlord can serve a three-day notice to vacate. If the tenant does not leave within that period, the landlord can file for eviction.
If a tenant is involved in illegal activities on the rental property, such as drug use or criminal behavior, the landlord can issue a three-day notice to vacate. This type of notice does not allow the tenant an opportunity to cure the violation.
If the tenant’s actions (e.g., creating a health hazard, disrupting neighbors) violate local laws or health/safety codes, the landlord may serve a notice requiring the tenant to remedy the issue within three days or face eviction.
In Wyoming, a landlord can terminate a month-to-month tenancy without needing to provide a specific reason. The landlord must give the tenant at least 30 days' written notice to vacate the property. This type of notice is not for lease violations but simply to end the periodic tenancy.
If the property has been sold in a foreclosure, under a trust deed, or through judicial processes (e.g., foreclosure proceedings), the new owner can issue a three-day notice demanding possession. If the previous occupant refuses to leave, eviction proceedings can be initiated.
The formal eviction process involves several key steps:
Homeowners associations (HOAs) in Wyoming operate under a unique legal framework, as there is no specific statute exclusively governing them. However, several state laws provide essential guidelines that impact the functioning of these associations.
The Wyoming Condominium Ownership Act serves as the primary legal framework for condominium associations in the state. This Act is codified in Title 34, Chapter 20 of the Wyoming Statutes, and addresses several critical aspects of condominium ownership and management.
Key sections include:
These provisions ensure that condominium owners have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities while promoting orderly management within these communities.
The Wyoming Nonprofit Corporation Act, found in Title 17, Chapter 19 of the Wyoming Statutes, governs HOAs and condominium associations that are structured as nonprofit corporations. This Act consists of 18 articles covering various aspects of corporate governance, including:
By adhering to this Act, HOAs can ensure compliance with corporate governance standards while providing a transparent structure for decision-making.
Under the Wyoming Solar Rights Act, property owners have a recognized right to utilize solar energy. The Act defines a "solar right" as an unobstructed line-of-sight path from a solar collector to the sun, allowing direct sunlight to reach the collector.
This legislation is crucial for homeowners looking to invest in solar technology, as it establishes protections against restrictions imposed by HOAs that could hinder solar energy use. The Act also clarifies how solar rights can be recorded and any applicable limitations.
While there is no specific statute regulating homeowners associations directly, the Wyoming Nonprofit Corporation Act provides guidelines that apply to HOAs formed as nonprofit entities.
According to Sections 17-19-1601 to 17-19-1630 of this Act, members have the right to inspect and copy association records under certain conditions. This transparency is vital for maintaining trust between association members and ensuring accountability in management practices.
The Wyoming Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on several protected characteristics, including color, national origin, race, sex, religion, familial status, or disability. This Act mirrors provisions found in the federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In Wyoming, squatters can gain legal ownership of real property through a process known as adverse possession. This legal doctrine allows individuals who occupy land without the owner's permission to claim ownership if they meet specific criteria over a continuous period of ten years.
To successfully claim adverse possession in Wyoming, a squatter must fulfill several strict requirements:
Below, you’ll find some helpful Wyoming landlord–tenant law resources:
