Wyoming Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
Wyoming rules on lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that expressly bans a landlord from changing locks or removing a renter without a court order, or that sets damages for doing so. W.S. 1-21-1003, 1-21-1211(a); W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1211 (reviewed)
The rules in Wyoming
| Lockouts and illegal eviction | Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that expressly bans a landlord from changing locks or removing a renter without a court order, or that sets damages for doing so. The statutes provide a court eviction process (forcible entry and detainer) with a written notice to quit served at least three days before filing; after a court order, the sheriff may remove the renter's belongings and prevent re-entry. Reviewed W.S. 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1017 (forcible entry and detainer) and 1-21-1201 through 1-21-1211 (Residential Rental Property Act) on 2026-10-28; no provision found. |
|---|---|
| Landlord shutting off utilities | Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that specifically bans a landlord from shutting off utilities to force a renter out or sets damages for it. Separately, owners must maintain electrical systems, plumbing, heating, and hot and cold water, and a renter who is current on payments can use the written notice and court process for health and safety problems. Reviewed W.S. 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1017 (forcible entry and detainer) and 1-21-1201 through 1-21-1211 (Residential Rental Property Act) on 2026-10-28; no provision found. |
| Landlord retaliation | No statute — Wyoming has no general law barring landlord retaliation (for example, for complaining about repairs or contacting an inspector). The only related rule: a landlord may not end a tenancy based solely on a tenant's or household member's status as a victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence. Federal fair housing law separately bars retaliation for asserting fair housing rights (42 U.S.C. 3617). Lease terms and general contract law govern otherwise. |
Related questions
Wyoming vs. neighboring states
| State | Lockouts and illegal eviction | Landlord shutting off utilities | Landlord retaliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that expressly bans a landlord from changing locks or removing a renter without a court order, or that sets damages for doing so. The statutes provide a court eviction process (forcible entry and detainer) with a written notice to quit served at least three days before filing; after a court order, the sheriff may remove the renter's belongings and prevent re-entry. W.S. 1-21-1003, 1-21-1211(a); W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1211 (reviewed) | Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that specifically bans a landlord from shutting off utilities to force a renter out or sets damages for it. Separately, owners must maintain electrical systems, plumbing, heating, and hot and cold water, and a renter who is current on payments can use the written notice and court process for health and safety problems. W.S. 1-21-1203(a)(iii), 1-21-1206; W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1211 (reviewed) | No statute — Wyoming has no general law barring landlord retaliation (for example, for complaining about repairs or contacting an inspector). The only related rule: a landlord may not end a tenancy based solely on a tenant's or household member's status as a victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence. W.S. 1-21-1303(c); Title 1, Ch. 21, Arts. 10, 12, 13 and 14 checked |
| Colorado | It is unlawful for a landlord to remove or exclude a tenant without court process, including by willfully removing doors, windows or locks other than for repair, unless the tenant agreed, the unit was abandoned (shown by things like returned keys, removal of belongings, notice, or long absence with rent unpaid), or it is required for an illegal drug-lab cleanup. The tenant may sue to stop the violation and must be awarded actual damages plus the greater of three times the monthly rent or $5,000, along with costs and reasonable attorney fees; the court may order possession restored. C.R.S. § 38-12-510 | A landlord may not remove or shut out a tenant without going to court, and unlawful removal includes willfully cutting off utilities. If a landlord willfully and unlawfully causes heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas or other essential services to be cut off, the tenant may sue to stop it and must be awarded actual damages plus statutory damages of the greater of three times the monthly rent or $5,000, along with costs and reasonable attorney fees; the court may also restore possession. C.R.S. § 38-12-510 | A landlord may not retaliate (raise rent, cut services, end or not renew the lease, bring or threaten eviction, harass, or charge fees) because the tenant made a good-faith complaint about a habitability condition to the landlord, a nonprofit, or a government agency; joined or organized a tenants' association; or used habitability remedies. The tenant need only show that the protected activity was a motivating factor. Remedies: the greater of three months' rent or three times actual damages, plus attorney fees. The tenant may also terminate the lease and raise retaliation as a defense to eviction. C.R.S. § 38-12-509 |
| Idaho | Self-help eviction is unlawful in Idaho. The Attorney General's manual says a landlord may not shut off utilities, change the locks, take the tenant's belongings or do anything other than file a lawful eviction case. Turning a person out of possession by force, threats or menacing conduct is a forcible entry under Idaho law, and a tenant who recovers damages for a forcible or unlawful entry or detention may be awarded three times the actual damages. Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 27-28; Idaho Code §§ 6-301, 6-317 | The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual lists shutting off the utilities among the self-help steps that are unlawful for a landlord trying to force a tenant out; the landlord must use a court eviction instead. The manual notes a landlord or utility may shut off a utility for a reasonable time when repairs are needed. Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 15-16, 27-28 | No statute — Idaho has no general anti-retaliation statute for residential tenants. The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual says a landlord may not evict a tenant for asking for repairs or joining a tenants' association, but it cites no statute and sets no presumption period. Tenants in manufactured home communities are protected by statute: the landlord may not end or refuse to renew the tenancy, raise rent, cut services, or threaten eviction because the resident complained in good faith to a code agency or to the landlord, joined or led a resident association, or hired a lawyer or agent. No statute (Idaho Code Title 6 ch. 3 and Title 55 chs. 2-3 checked); Idaho Code § 55-2015 (manufactured home communities only) |
| Montana | Self-help eviction is banned. Except after abandonment or surrender, or as the Act permits, a landlord may not recover or take possession of the unit by action or otherwise. If a landlord unlawfully removes or shuts out the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the rental agreement and recover up to 3 months' periodic rent or treble damages, whichever is greater; if the agreement ends, the landlord must return all recoverable security and prepaid rent. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-24-428, 70-24-411 | No. A landlord may not take possession by purposefully cutting off heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, or other essential services. If a landlord purposefully interrupts those services, the tenant may recover possession or end the rental agreement and, either way, recover up to 3 months' periodic rent or treble damages, whichever is greater. If the agreement ends, the landlord must return all recoverable security and prepaid rent. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-24-428, 70-24-411, 70-24-408 | Landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, or bring or threaten a possession action after the tenant complained to a government code-enforcement agency, made a written complaint to the landlord about § 70-24-303 duties, or organized/joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the act creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation. Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-431 |
| Nebraska | Self-help eviction is banned. A landlord may not recover or take possession of the unit by action or otherwise, except after abandonment, surrender, or as the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act permits. If a landlord unlawfully removes or shuts out the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and recover three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1436, 76-1430 | No. A landlord may not take possession by willfully interrupting electric, gas, water, or other essential services. If the landlord willfully and wrongfully cuts those services, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee; if the lease ends, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and recoverable security. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1436, 76-1430, 76-1427 | Landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or bring/threaten a possession action because the tenant complained to a government agency about a housing-code violation affecting health and safety, or organized/joined a tenants' union. Tenant may use § 76-1430 remedies and raise retaliation as a defense. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439 |
| South Dakota | If a residential landlord unlawfully removes or locks out a tenant, the tenant may sue for an injunction, recover possession by suit, or end the rental agreement, and in any case recover damages equal to two months' rent plus return of any advance rent and deposit. Belongings left after a tenant has moved out are presumed abandoned after 10 days if worth $500 or less; property worth more must be stored for at least 30 days before it can be treated as abandoned. SDCL 43-32-6, 43-32-25, 43-32-26 | If a residential landlord willfully interrupts electric, gas, water or another essential service to the tenant, the tenant may sue for an injunction, recover possession by suit, or end the rental agreement, and in any case recover damages equal to two months' rent plus return of any advance rent and deposit. SDCL 43-32-6 | No statutory presumption. After a protected act, a tenant may sue if the landlord retaliates by raising rent above fair market value, decreasing electric, gas, water, or sewer service, or giving a notice to vacate that is not based on a lease breach. Protected acts are a good-faith complaint to a government agency about a housing or building code violation affecting health and safety (once the landlord has written notice of it), a written repair notice under 43-32-9, and organizing or joining a tenants' union or organization. The landlord has a defense if the notice to vacate came more than 180 days after the protected act. Not renewing a written lease is not retaliation. SDCL 43-32-27, 43-32-28 |
| Utah | It is unlawful for an owner to willfully exclude a tenant from the premises in any manner except by court process (judicial eviction). 'Willful exclusion' means preventing the tenant from entering with intent to deprive the tenant of entry. The only exception is when the tenant has abandoned the premises: the owner may then remove the contents under the abandoned-property procedure and re-rent. The section does not itself list damages for a lockout. Utah Code §§ 78B-6-814, 78B-6-801(11), 78B-6-816 | Utah's landlord-tenant statutes do not specifically address a landlord shutting off utilities to force a renter out. It is unlawful for an owner to willfully keep a tenant out of the premises in any manner except by court process. Separately, owners must maintain electrical systems, plumbing, heating, and hot and cold water, and a renter may use the written notice-of-deficient-condition process (rent abatement and ending the lease, or repair and deduct) if the owner does not correct such a problem. Utah Code §§ 78B-6-814, 57-22-3, 57-22-4(1), 57-22-6 | No statute — Utah has no general law barring landlord retaliation (for example, for complaining about repairs). One limited rule: an owner may not restrict a renter's ability to ask a public safety agency (such as police or fire) for help, and may not penalize or evict a renter for making reasonable requests for that help. Utah Code 57-22-5.1(10); Utah Fit Premises Act (57-22) and Forcible Entry and Detainer (78B-6 Part 8) checked |
More Wyoming rental law
- Wyoming Security Deposit Law
- Wyoming Eviction Laws
- Wyoming Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Wyoming
- Wyoming Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Wyoming Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in Wyoming
- Squatters' Rights in Wyoming
- Wyoming Rental Fee Rules
- Wyoming Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Wyoming Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Wyoming Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Wyoming Landlord Selling the House
- Wyoming Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Wyoming landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Wyoming
Compare lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation in all 50 states and DC →
Wyoming Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation FAQ
Can a landlord change the locks without a court order in Wyoming?
Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that expressly bans a landlord from changing locks or removing a renter without a court order, or that sets damages for doing so. The statutes provide a court eviction process (forcible entry and detainer) with a written notice to quit served at least three days before filing; after a court order, the sheriff may remove the renter's belongings and prevent re-entry. (W.S. 1-21-1003, 1-21-1211(a); W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1211 (reviewed))
Can a landlord shut off utilities in Wyoming?
Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that specifically bans a landlord from shutting off utilities to force a renter out or sets damages for it. Separately, owners must maintain electrical systems, plumbing, heating, and hot and cold water, and a renter who is current on payments can use the written notice and court process for health and safety problems. (W.S. 1-21-1203(a)(iii), 1-21-1206; W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1211 (reviewed))
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Wyoming?
No statute — Wyoming has no general law barring landlord retaliation (for example, for complaining about repairs or contacting an inspector). The only related rule: a landlord may not end a tenancy based solely on a tenant's or household member's status as a victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence. (W.S. 1-21-1303(c); Title 1, Ch. 21, Arts. 10, 12, 13 and 14 checked)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.