Wyoming Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Wyoming, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 calendar days (ordinary path; or 15 days after receipt of the renter mailing address if that is later; return is without interest) or 15 calendar days (applies when this date is later than 30 days after termination; statutory rule is the later of 30 days after termination or 15 days after new address) or 60 calendar days (there is damage to the residential rental unit (period extended by 30 days)). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 30 calendar days (ordinary path; or 15 days after receipt of the renter mailing address if that is later; return is without interest): after termination of the rental agreement; 15 calendar days (applies when this date is later than 30 days after termination; statutory rule is the later of 30 days after termination or 15 days after new address): after receipt of the renter's new mailing address; 60 calendar days (there is damage to the residential rental unit (period extended by 30 days)): after termination of the rental agreement (30-day base extended by 30 days). The verified state formula is if owner or agent unreasonably fails to comply with deposit return/itemization or utilities-deposit rules: renter may recover the full deposit and court costs; if renter brings action unreasonably and owner prevails, owner may be awarded court costs under Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-21-1207 to 1-21-1208.
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days (ordinary path; or 15 days after receipt of the renter mailing address if that is later; return is without interest); trigger: after termination of the rental agreement |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 15 calendar days (applies when this date is later than 30 days after termination; statutory rule is the later of 30 days after termination or 15 days after new address); trigger: after receipt of the renter's new mailing address |
| Deadline (branch 3) | 60 calendar days (there is damage to the residential rental unit (period extended by 30 days)); trigger: after termination of the rental agreement (30-day base extended by 30 days) |
| Penalty formula | if owner or agent unreasonably fails to comply with deposit return/itemization or utilities-deposit rules: renter may recover the full deposit and court costs; if renter brings action unreasonably and owner prevails, owner may be awarded court costs |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | No statutory cap. Rental agreement must state whether any portion of a deposit is nonrefundable, and written notice of nonrefundability must be given when the deposit is taken (W.S. 1-21-1207). |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Small claims limit | $6,000 (Circuit Court small claims) in Circuit Court (small claims) |
| Statute citation | Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-21-1207 to 1-21-1208 |
Statute says
Upon termination of the rental agreement, property or money held as a deposit may be applied by the owner or his agent to the payment of accrued rent, damages to the residential rental unit beyond reasonable wear and tear, the cost to clean the unit to the condition at the beginning of the rental agreement and to other costs provided by any contract. The balance of any deposit and prepaid rent and a written itemization of any deductions from the deposit together with reasons therefor, shall be delivered or mailed without interest to the renter within thirty (30) days after termination of the rental agreement or within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the renter's new mailing address, whichever is later. If there is damage to the residential rental unit, this period shall be extended by thirty (30) days. The renter shall within thirty (30) days of termination of the rental agreement, notify the owner or designated agent of the location where payment and notice may be made or mailed.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-21-1207 to 1-21-1208 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Wyoming is $992 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Laramie County: $1,160
- Natrona County: $1,016
- Campbell County: $1,009
- Sweetwater County: $911
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $992 before applying the state formula: if owner or agent unreasonably fails to comply with deposit return/itemization or utilities-deposit rules: renter may recover the full deposit and court costs; if renter brings action unreasonably and owner prevails, owner may be awarded court costs.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laramie | Laramie County Circuit Court, Cheyenne | $6,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Natrona | Natrona County Circuit Court, Casper | $6,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Campbell | Campbell County Circuit Court, Gillette | $6,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Sweetwater | Sweetwater County Circuit Court, Rock Springs | $6,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
Free Wyoming template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Wyoming data for this page lists a 30 calendar days (ordinary path; or 15 days after receipt of the renter mailing address if that is later; return is without interest) or 15 calendar days (applies when this date is later than 30 days after termination; statutory rule is the later of 30 days after termination or 15 days after new address) or 60 calendar days (there is damage to the residential rental unit (period extended by 30 days)) return window and cites Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-21-1207 to 1-21-1208.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Cheyenne have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Wyoming law and local rules.
Does Casper have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Wyoming law and local rules.
Does Gillette have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Wyoming law and local rules.
Does Laramie have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Wyoming law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Laramie, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Green River, Evanston.
Tenant resources
- Legal Aid of Wyoming - Housinglegal aid, 877-432-9955
- Equal Justice Wyoming - Legal Helplegal aid in Cheyenne
- Wyoming Attorney General - Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unitag consumer in Cheyenne, 307-777-6397
- Wyoming Judicial Branch - Security Depositscourt self help