Are Hidden Cameras Allowed in Rentals in Wyoming?

If you're a renter in Wyoming, protecting your privacy is just as important as having a safe place to live. With new technology making surveillance easier, many renters have questions about whether landlords can put hidden cameras in their rental homes. This article explains your privacy rights as a tenant in Wyoming, whether hidden cameras are legal, and what steps you can take if you have concerns.

Your Privacy Rights in Wyoming Rentals

Wyoming law gives renters the right to enjoy their homes without intrusions, which includes protection from secret or unauthorized surveillance. Privacy is considered part of the "right of quiet enjoyment" of your rental.

• Your landlord must respect your privacy while you occupy the rental
• Any actions that invade your privacy may violate your rights as a tenant

Wyoming does not have a specific state law that regulates all surveillance in rental properties. However, other related laws provide strong protections—especially regarding hidden cameras in private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms.

Are Hidden Cameras Legal in Wyoming Rentals?

In Wyoming, it is illegal to intentionally install or use any device to photograph or record people without their consent in places where they have a "reasonable expectation of privacy". This generally means bathrooms, bedrooms, and other private areas in a rental home. Wyoming Statutes § 6-4-304 make it a criminal offense to "observe or record" a person in such circumstances.^[1]

• Prohibited: Hidden cameras or any recording device in bathrooms, bedrooms, or any area where a person expects privacy—even if the landlord owns the property
• Possible Exception: Cameras in common areas (like a front porch, driveway, or shared hallway) may be allowed if they're not hidden and do not record audio conversations without consent
• Audio Recording: Wyoming is a "one-party consent" state for audio but using hidden cameras/audio without consent is still highly restricted in private areas

If you suspect your landlord has installed a hidden camera, you have the right to ask them about its purpose and location and to request its removal from any private area.

What About Landlord Entry and Notice?

While Wyoming law does not require landlords to give written notice before entering your rental (unless your lease says otherwise), that doesn't allow them to use cameras to monitor you without consent or to enter for no good reason. It's best practice for landlords to provide "reasonable" notice (usually 24 hours) and only enter for repairs, inspections, or emergencies. Learn more from the Wyoming Supreme Court's Self-Help Landlord/Tenant Information.

What Should I Do If I Find a Hidden Camera?

If you discover a hidden camera or believe your privacy has been violated, here are steps a renter in Wyoming can take:

• Document the camera (photos, location, description)
• Check your lease agreement for any mention of surveillance
• Contact your landlord in writing to request its removal if it's in a private area
• If the landlord refuses or you feel unsafe, contact local law enforcement
• You can also reach out to the Wyoming Supreme Court Self-Help Landlord/Tenant or your county attorney's office

Relevant Forms and How to Use Them

Wyoming does not have a specific statewide form solely for reporting hidden cameras in a rental. However, you can use these official options depending on your situation:

• Notice of Demand for Repairs or Remedy Form.
  When to use: If a privacy violation (such as unauthorized surveillance) makes your rental "uninhabitable," you may use this form to formally notify your landlord to correct the problem.
  How to use: Download, fill in details about the privacy concern (e.g., "removal of camera from private area"), deliver to your landlord.
  Download Notice to Landlord: Demand for Repairs or Remedy
• County Circuit Court Complaint Forms
  When to use: If your landlord refuses to remove a camera or violates the law, you can file a complaint with your local circuit court.
  How to use: Find your local circuit court's tenant forms and instructions from the Wyoming Judicial Branch - Circuit Courts site.

Which Tribunal Handles Tenant-Landlord Disputes in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, the Wyoming Circuit Courts handle residential landlord-tenant disputes, including unlawful entry, privacy violations, and habitability claims.^[2]

Wyoming's key tenancy legislation is the Wyoming Residential Rental Property Act (WY Stat § 1-21-1201 to 1-21-1211).^[3]

FAQ: Cameras, Privacy, and Landlords in Wyoming

1. Can my landlord put cameras in shared or common areas?
   Landlords can use visible cameras in shared spaces (like hallways or outside buildings) to protect the property. However, they cannot secretly record or monitor private areas, and it's best practice to inform tenants when cameras are in use.
2. What should I do if I find a hidden camera in my bathroom or bedroom?
   Document the device, notify your landlord in writing requesting immediate removal, and contact law enforcement if you believe your privacy has been violated.
3. Does my landlord have to tell me if there are cameras inside the rental?
   There is no state law specifically requiring landlords to notify tenants about cameras, but any camera in a private space is illegal, and secret surveillance without consent is never allowed in those areas.
4. Is it legal for my landlord to record audio inside my apartment?
   Audio recording in private spaces without at least one party's consent is generally not allowed. Hidden audio surveillance in your living areas is a serious privacy concern and may be a crime.
5. Where can I get help if I think my privacy rights are being violated?
   You can contact Wyoming Circuit Courts, local law enforcement, or tenant resource offices for legal guidance and to file a complaint if necessary.

Key Takeaways for Wyoming Renters

• Hidden cameras are illegal in private spaces of rental homes under Wyoming law
• Landlords should only use visible security cameras in shared or public areas, and not to monitor your personal life
• If you suspect illegal surveillance, act quickly—document everything and seek help if needed

Understanding your rights is essential for a safe, private rental experience in Wyoming.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Wyoming Supreme Court: Landlord/Tenant Self-Help Center
• Wyoming Circuit Courts – Find Your Court (for filing a dispute)
• Wyoming State Bar – Public Resources
• Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation: Crime Reporting & Victim Help

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1. See Wyoming Statutes § 6-4-304 – Voyeurism and Surveillance
2. Wyoming Circuit Courts: Landlord-Tenant Disputes
3. Wyoming Residential Rental Property Act

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