§ 34.1-1-203 — Lease distinguished from security interest

Wyoming § 34.1-1-203

• Jurisdiction: Wyoming
• Title 34.1: Uniform Commercial Code

Text

(a) Whether a transaction in the form of a lease creates a
lease or security interest is determined by the facts of each
case.
(b) A transaction in the form of a lease creates a
security interest if the consideration that the lessee is to pay
the lessor for the right to possession and use of the goods is
an obligation for the term of the lease and is not subject to
termination by the lessee and:
(i) The original term of the lease is equal to or
greater than the remaining economic life of the goods;
(ii) The lessee is bound to renew the lease for the
remaining economic life of the goods or is bound to become the
owner of the goods;
(iii) The lessee has an option to renew the lease for
the remaining economic life of the goods for no additional
consideration or for nominal additional consideration upon
compliance with the lease agreement; or
(iv) The lessee has an option to become the owner of
the goods for no additional consideration or for nominal
additional consideration upon compliance with the lease
agreement.
(c) A transaction in the form of a lease does not create a
security interest merely because:
(i) The present value of the consideration the lessee
is obligated to pay the lessor for the right to possession and
use of the goods is substantially equal to or is greater than
the fair market value of the goods at the time the lease is
entered into;
(ii) The lessee assumes risk of loss of the goods;
(iii) The lessee agrees to pay, with respect to the
goods, taxes, insurance, filing, recording, or registration
fees, or service or maintenance costs;
(iv) The lessee has an option to renew the lease or
to become the owner of the goods;
(v) The lessee has an option to renew the lease for a
fixed rent that is equal to or greater than the reasonably
predictable fair market rent for the use of the goods for the
term of the renewal at the time the option is to be performed;
or
(vi) The lessee has an option to become the owner of
the goods for a fixed price that is equal to or greater than the
reasonably predictable fair market value of the goods at the
time the option is to be performed.
(d) Additional consideration is nominal if it is less than
the lessee's reasonably predictable cost of performing under the
lease agreement if the option is not exercised. Additional
consideration is not nominal if:
(i) When the option to renew the lease is granted to
the lessee, the rent is stated to be the fair market rent for
the use of the goods for the term of the renewal determined at
the time the option is to be performed; or
(ii) When the option to become the owner of the goods
is granted to the lessee, the price is stated to be the fair
market value of the goods determined at the time the option is
to be performed.
(e) The "remaining economic life of the goods" and
"reasonably predictable" fair market rent, fair market value, or
cost of performing under the lease agreement shall be determined
with reference to the facts and circumstances at the time the
transaction is entered into.