Wyoming Security Deposit Return Deadline
- Penalty for missing it
- full deposit + court costs (no multiplier) (owner 'unreasonably fails' to comply — renter recovers the full deposit and court costs (§1-21-1208(c)). NOTE: many secondary sources claim 2x, but that comes from a 2011 bill (HB0210) that was never enacted)
- The law
- Wyo. Stat. §1-21-1208
The rule
30 days after termination of the rental agreement, OR 15 days after the landlord receives the renter's new mailing address — whichever is LATER. Extended 30 more days if there is damage. The renter must notify the owner of the new address within 30 days of termination (§1-21-1208).
- Forwarding-address trap: if you never provide an address, the landlord's clock never starts — provide it within 30 days of move-out.
- No deposit cap under state law.
- Utility deposits have their own 10-day rule.
- CORRECTED: no multiplier — a 2011 bill to make it double the deposit (HB0210) never became law. Current remedy is the full deposit + court costs.
What happens if your landlord misses the deadline
In Wyoming, a missed deadline seriously weakens your landlord's position. Depending on the circumstances, they may forfeit the right to deduct anything at all, owe you the penalty above, or both. The exact consequence depends on Wyo. Stat. §1-21-1208 and whether they provided the required itemized statement. Don't assume the money is gone — a missed deadline is often the strongest fact pattern for getting it back.
Your next steps in Wyoming
- Confirm the clock ran. Make sure you provided a forwarding address in writing — in Wyoming this step starts the clock, so it matters more than usual, and that the full deadline has passed.
- Send a demand letter citing Wyo. Stat. §1-21-1208 and the full deposit + court costs (no multiplier) penalty. Most landlords pay at this stage.
- If they ignore it, file in small claims. See our walkthrough for the process.
Wyoming deposit questions
How long does my Wyoming landlord have to return my deposit?
30 days after termination of the rental agreement, OR 15 days after the landlord receives the renter's new mailing address — whichever is LATER. Extended 30 more days if there is damage. The renter must notify the owner of the new address within 30 days of termination (§1-21-1208).
What if my landlord never sends an itemized list of deductions?
In most states — including Wyoming — failing to provide the required itemized statement within the deadline forfeits the landlord's right to withhold anything. Check Wyo. Stat. §1-21-1208 for the exact rule.
Can I get more than my deposit back in Wyoming?
Wyoming law allows full deposit + court costs (no multiplier) for owner 'unreasonably fails' to comply — renter recovers the full deposit and court costs (§1-21-1208(c)). NOTE: many secondary sources claim 2x, but that comes from a 2011 bill (HB0210) that was never enacted. See our penalties guide for how judges apply this.
Source: https://rocketrent.com/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/07121837/Wyoming_Landlord_Laws.pdf · Verified 2026-10-09