Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-21-403, 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1017, 1-21-1201 to 1-21-1211, 1-21-1301 to 1-21-1304, 1-21-1401 to 1-21-1403 § 1-21-1208
Deductions from deposit; written itemization; time limits; failure to give notice; recovery by renter; utilities deposit; penalty.
Operative Text
1-21-1208. Deductions from deposit; written itemization;
time limits; failure to give notice; recovery by renter;
utilities deposit; penalty.
(a) 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.
(b) After termination of the rental agreement, property or
money held and separately identified as a utilities deposit
shall be refunded by the owner to the renter within ten (10)
days of a satisfactory showing that all utility charges incurred
by the renter have been paid. Absent such showing within forty-
five (45) days of termination, the owner shall within fifteen
(15) days thereafter, apply the utilities deposit to the
outstanding utility debt incurred by the renter. Any refund due
to the renter shall be paid within seven (7) days after the
utility deposit has been applied to the renter's utility debt,
or within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the renter's new
mailing address, whichever is later.
(c) If the owner of a residential rental unit or his agent
unreasonably fails to comply with subsection (a) or (b) of this
section, the renter may recover the full deposit and court
costs. In an action by a renter pursuant to this section, if the
owner is the prevailing party and the court finds the renter
acted unreasonably in bringing the action, the owner may be
awarded court costs in addition to any other relief available.Wyoming Stat. § 1-21-1208 governs how landlords must handle security deposits and utilities deposits after a rental agreement ends. Standard deposits must be returned—with a written itemization of any deductions—within 30 days of termination or 15 days after receiving the tenant's new address, whichever is later, with a possible 30-day extension if there is unit damage. Utilities deposits follow a separate, shorter timeline. If a landlord unreasonably fails to comply, the tenant may recover the full deposit plus court costs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 1-21-1208, compliant operators return the deposit balance along with a written itemization of all deductions—covering accrued rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and cleaning costs—within the statutory deadlines. Keeping clear move-in and move-out condition records supports accurate itemization and helps document any damage that triggers the 30-day extension. Utilities deposits must be tracked separately and refunded on their own distinct timeline once the tenant demonstrates all utility charges are paid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 1-21-1208 gives renters the right to receive their deposit back with a written explanation of any deductions within the timeframes the statute sets. Tenants are required to notify the owner of a forwarding address within 30 days of termination, which starts the clock on the landlord's return obligation. If a landlord unreasonably withholds the deposit, renters may pursue recovery of the full deposit and court costs through small claims or district court, and tenant-rights organizations can help explain available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation