Wyoming

A Wyoming residential lease agreement is a legal contract that establishes the terms and conditions under which a landlord rents a property to a tenant. This agreement typically includes a fixed term, specifying both a start date and an end date for the tenancy.

Required Disclosures

1. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

For properties built before 1978, landlords must inform tenants of the potential presence of lead-based paint. This includes providing an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pamphlet detailing the risks associated with lead exposure.

2. Nonrefundable Fees

Any nonrefundable fees, including portions of the security deposit, must be explicitly stated in the lease agreement and agreed upon by the tenant. This ensures transparency regarding any fees that will not be returned at the end of the tenancy.

Security Deposit Laws

  • Maximum Amount: Wyoming does not impose a maximum limit on security deposits, allowing landlords to set the amount based on their discretion.
  • Returning Requirements: Security deposits must be returned to tenants within 30 days after the lease ends or within 15 days of the tenant providing their new mailing address, whichever is later.
  • Itemized List: Landlords are required to provide an itemized list of damages and amounts withheld from the security deposit upon its return.

Rent Payment Laws

  • Grace Period: There is no statutory grace period for rent payments in Wyoming.
  • Maximum Late Fee: Wyoming law does not set a maximum late fee amount, allowing landlords to determine their own late fee policies.
  • NSF Fee: Landlords may charge up to $30 for a bounced check.
  • Withholding Rent: Tenants are not permitted to withhold rent as a remedy for landlord non-compliance.

Landlord Rights and Responsibilities

Right of Entry

Landlords do not need to provide prior notice before entering a rental property. However, it is recommended to do so for courtesy. Tenants are required to allow reasonable access for necessary repairs, inspections, and showings.

Property Repairs

Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property in a safe and habitable condition, which includes ensuring essential services such as plumbing and heating are functioning properly.

Lease Termination

  • Month-to-Month Tenancy: Wyoming law does not specify a notice period for terminating a month-to-month lease, but a 30-day notice is generally considered reasonable.
  • Unclaimed Property: Tenants have seven days to respond to a landlord’s notice regarding personal property left behind. After this period, the landlord may dispose of the property.

FAQs

In Wyoming, landlords must provide a Lead-Based Paint Disclosure for properties built before 1978 and disclose any nonrefundable fees in the lease agreement. These disclosures ensure tenants are informed about potential health risks and the terms of their financial obligations.

Landlords in Wyoming must return security deposits within 30 days after the lease ends or within 15 days of receiving the tenant’s new mailing address, whichever is later. An itemized list of any deductions must also be provided at that time.

Wyoming law does not impose any limits on late fees for rent payments. Landlords can specify the amount of late fees in the lease agreement, but they must comply with any terms outlined in that agreement.

Yes, a lease can automatically renew in Wyoming, but this must be explicitly stated in the lease agreement. Without a renewal clause, an expired lease may lead to a tenancy at sufferance, allowing the landlord to evict the tenant at any time.

If a tenant leaves personal property behind, the landlord must send a written notice regarding the unclaimed property. The tenant has seven days to respond, after which the landlord may dispose of the property, but valuable items can only be disposed of if not claimed within that timeframe.

No, lease agreements do not need to be notarized in Wyoming. A lease is valid as long as it is signed by both parties, although notarization can help establish the identities of the signers in case of disputes.

In Wyoming, landlords do not need to provide prior notice before entering a rental property, but it is recommended to do so for courtesy. Tenants are required to allow reasonable access for repairs, inspections, or showings.

Wyoming does not have a maximum limit on the amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit. However, landlords must return the deposit within the specified time frame after the lease ends.