How Long Does a Landlord Have to Return a Deposit in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, a landlord has 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)) to return a security deposit. 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 penalty 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 |
| 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. Match the date you can prove to the trigger above, then compare the landlord's response to the rule in Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-21-1207 to 1-21-1208.
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.
What happens if a landlord misses the Wyoming deposit deadline?
The verified penalty 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. Keep the move-out date, forwarding address records, and any itemized statement before you act.
Does a demand letter change the legal deadline?
No. The deadline is still 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 trigger is 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). A letter documents the timeline and asks the landlord to resolve the deposit before the next step.
If the deadline passed
Send the letter that starts the clock and keeps the demand tied to the verified Wyoming deadline.
If the landlord stays silent, review landlord ignoring the deadline before choosing the next step.