Renting out a room in your Wyoming home isn’t always about becoming a landlord in the traditional sense. Sometimes, it’s just about lowering your costs or making your house work for you. However, even casual living arrangements benefit from a little structure.
A room rental agreement Wyoming landlords use should clearly outline all key terms of the lease, as well as the rights and responsibilities of both parties. With everything in writing, both the landlord and the tenant understand the rules from the start, and the tenancy is subject to Wyoming landlord-tenant law.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at what Wyoming law requires and how to create a lease agreement correctly.
Room Rental Laws
Wyoming rental relationships are governed primarily by Wyoming landlord-tenant law, which oversees key aspects of your Wyoming room rental agreement, including:
- Security deposits
- Rent and fees
- Access and privacy
- Maintenance and habitability
- Lease terms and termination
- Eviction and breaches
Every room rental agreement Wyoming landlords use must comply with all federal and state laws.
Different Types of Room Rental Agreements in Wyoming
Before drafting any type of Wyoming room rental agreement, decide which arrangement works best for you.
Verbal agreement: Although Wyoming does not prohibit verbal or written agreements, they are often difficult to enforce and can create unnecessary disputes. A written agreement protects both parties.
Fixed-term lease: A fixed-term room rental agreement lasts for a defined period, typically 1 year. This type of arrangement offers stability and predictability.
Month-to-month lease: A month-to-month room rental agreement, also referred to as a tenancy at will, renews each month until either party gives notice to end the arrangement. This option offers flexibility but requires closer attention to notice the rules.
Required Landlord Disclosures
Wyoming gives landlords considerable discretion regarding required disclosures. Here’s what you must include with your room rental agreement in Wyoming.
Lead-based paint: For any home built before 1978, you must disclose any known information about lead-based paint and its hazards and provide the required EPA pamphlet.
Security deposit: If your tenant pays a security deposit, you must provide a statement stating that a certain amount of the deposit is nonrefundable, if applicable (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1207).
Security Deposit Rules
When signing a room rental agreement, Wyoming landlords often collect a security deposit. This deposit helps offset potential losses from unpaid rent or excessive damages.
Maximum security deposit: Wyoming does not limit how much you can collect as a security deposit.
Pet deposits: Wyoming landlords may charge a pet deposit. There is no state-imposed limit, but the deposit should be reasonable, and you should clearly outline it in your lease template.
Security deposit receipt: You are not required to provide your tenant a receipt for their security deposit.
Deduction tracking: If you deduct funds from the security deposit, you must provide your tenant with an itemized list of expenses within 30 days of lease termination (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a)).
Security deposit return: If you do not withhold funds for unpaid rent or repairs, you must return the deposit to your tenant within 30 days of the lease termination. If there are damages, you have 60 days to return the deposit (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a)).
Rent Payment Rules
It is important to spell out the rules around rent payment, especially in a shared living situation.
Late rent fees: Wyoming does not limit the amount you can charge for late rent, but you must disclose this fee in your rental agreement.
Right to withhold rent: Wyoming tenants may not withhold rent for any repair issues (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1203).
Grace period: There is no mandatory grace period for late rent payments in Wyoming (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1204(vi)).
Pet rent: Pet rent is permitted, but you must clearly disclose it in the lease agreement.
Rent Payment Increase Rules
Wyoming allows landlords to increase rent as needed; however, you must follow the state’s notice guidelines.
Rent payment frequency increase: You cannot increase rent during a fixed-term lease unless your rental agreement clearly allows it. For month-to-month tenancies, you must give at least 30 days’ written notice before increasing rent.
Rent payment increase maximum: Wyoming does not limit how much you can increase rent.
Rent control/stabilization: Rent control and stabilization laws do not exist in Wyoming.
Wyoming Room Rental Agreement Breaches
From time to time, your tenant may violate part of their room rental agreement in Wyoming. Here’s what to do to help get everything back on track.
Failure to pay: In Wyoming, if your tenant misses a rent payment, you may issue a 3-day Notice to Pay or Quit (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1002(a), § 1-21-1003).
Lease violations: For other lease violations, you may issue a Notice to Cure, allowing the tenant time to fix the issue before the eviction process begins (Wyo. Stat. §1-21-1204).
Self-help evictions: In Wyoming, self-help evictions are illegal. To evict a tenant, you must follow the legal process.
Terminating a Wyoming Room Rental Agreement
When it’s time to terminate your Wyoming room rental agreement, it’s important to follow state law and give proper notice.
Fixed-term: A fixed-term lease ends on the date specified in the contract. No additional notice is required. A tenant may end their lease early if they meet a qualifying condition, like active-duty military service or domestic violence (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1303).
Month-to-month: In Wyoming, either party may terminate a month-to-month without giving notice, but it is best practice to give at least 30 days’ written notice before terminating.
Tenant’s right to terminate: As mentioned, tenants who wish to terminate their lease early must meet a legally qualifying condition, such as active-duty military service, domestic violence, tenant death, uninhabitable living conditions, or landlord harassment.
Room abandonment: If a tenant abandons their room rental agreement in Wyoming, they are often financially responsible for the remainder of the lease term or until you find a new tenant (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a)).
Landlord Access Laws
It is important to respect your tenant’s privacy and right to quiet enjoyment of their home, even when sharing a living space.
Advance notice: Although Wyoming does not require you to give your tenant notice before entering the room for maintenance or repairs, it is a good idea to give your tenant at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible.
Immediate access: In an emergency, you may enter the room without notice or permission.
Landlord harassment: Although state law does not require notice, it still protects tenants’ right to quiet enjoyment. Always respect your tenant’s privacy and only enter when needed. Otherwise, it is often considered harassment.
Lease Agreement Renewal and Termination
Termination rules for your room rental agreement in Wyoming will depend on the type of arrangement you have. Here’s what you need to know.
Required renewals: You are not required to renew your tenant’s Wyoming room rental agreement upon expiration.
Required notice: Wyoming does not require you to give your tenant notice that you will not be renewing their lease; however, we always recommend that either party give at least 30 days’ notice if possible.
Month-to-month considerations: Although not legally required, if either party does not plan to renew a month-to-month agreement, they should give at least 30 days’ notice. Doing so helps the other party plan accordingly.
Room Rental Agreement Wyoming FAQs
What to include in a Wyoming room rental agreement?
Your Wyoming room rental agreement should include all of the most important details of the tenancy. This includes rent, due dates, security deposits, house rules and policies, required disclosures, and more.
How do I legally rent out a room?
If you want to rent a room in your Wyoming home, the most important thing is to draft a good rental agreement. Property management software can help get you started.
How to make a Wyoming room rental agreement?
To write a room rental agreement, Wyoming landlords should start with landlord software that lets them customize their agreement. Select a simple printable PDF for Wyoming that you can customize with your details. Lastly, have both parties sign and keep a copy for your records.
