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State rental laws and regulations

Rental laws vary from state to state, so learn and follow your state laws. We have a comprehensive guide on landlord and renter state laws and regulations in all 50 states.

State Laws & Regulations

State Laws & Regulations

Rental laws vary from state to state. Select your state to learn more.

Utah

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Landlords and tenants will face legal issues during the rental process, but not every issue needs to involve the courts. This article will help you learn how the rental laws in Utah handle everything from security deposits to termination notices so you can navigate these with ease.

This article is not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for qualified legal advice. Utah rental laws and statutes are always subject to change and may vary by county or city. You are responsible for performing your own research and complying with all Utah laws applicable to your unique situation.

If you have legal questions or concerns, we recommend consulting with the appropriate government agencies and a qualified lawyer in Utah. The Utah state bar association may have a referral service that can help you find a lawyer with experience in Utah landlord-tenant law.

Official Utah Rental Rules and Regulations

Utah Security Deposit Laws:

  • Security Deposit Maximum: No limit (UCA §§ 57-17).
  • Security Deposit Interest: No statute.
  • Separate Security Deposit Bank Account: No statute.
  • Nonrefundable Fees: Allowed, but only if disclosed in writing at the time that the deposit is accepted by the landlord (UCA §§ 57-17-2).
  • Pet Deposits and Additional Fees: No statute.
  • Deadline for Returning Security Deposit: 30 days after termination of the tenancy or within 15 days after receipt of the renter’s new mailing address, whichever is later (UCA §§ 57-17-3).
  • Permitted Uses of the Security Deposit: No statute.
  • Advance Notice of Withholding: No (UCA §§ 57-17-1).
  • Move-In Condition Checklist: Yes. Before a lease begins, the owner must provide the prospective renter a written inventory of the condition of the residential rental unit, excluding ordinary wear and tear (UCA §§ 57-22-4(3)).
  • Move-Out Checklist/Itemized List of Damages and Charges: Yes (UCA §§ 57-17-3)
  • Receipt of Deposit: No statute.
  • Record Keeping of Deposit Withholdings: No statute.
  • Failure to Comply: The renter may recover the full deposit, a civil penalty of $100, and court costs if the owner or landlord fails to meet statutory obligations related to returning the security deposit. (UCA §§ 57-17-5)

Utah Lease, Rent, and Fees:

  • Rent Is Due: No statute.
  • Rent Increase Notice: No statute.
  • Rent Grace Period: No statute.
  • Late Fees: No statute.
  • Application Fees:
  • Prepaid Rent: No statute.
  • Returned Check Fees: $20 (UCA §§ 7-15-2).
  • Tenant Allowed to Withhold Rent for Failure to Provide Essential Services (Water, Heat, etc.): Yes, tenants are allowed “rent abatement” as defined in UCA §§ 57-22-6.
  • Tenant Allowed to Repair and Deduct Rent: Yes, tenants are allowed to “repair and deduct” as defined in UCA §§ 57-22-6.
  • Landlord Allowed to Recover Court and Attorney Fees: Yes.
  • Landlord Must Make a Reasonable Attempt to Mitigate Damages, including an Attempt to Rerent: No statute.

Utah Rental Notices and Entry:

  • Notice to Terminate Tenancy – Lease with No End Date: 15 days (UCA §§ 78B-6-802)
  • Notice to Terminate Tenancy – Fixed End Date in Lease: No statute. Typically no notice is needed as the lease simply expires.
  • Notice to Terminate Tenancy – Month-to-Month Lease: 15 days (UCA §§ 78B-6-802)
  • Notice of Date/Time of Move-Out Inspection: No statute.
  • Termination for Nonpayment: 3 days (UCA §§ 78B-6-802).
  • Termination for Lease Violation: 3 days (UCA §§ 78B-6-802).
  • Required Notice before Entry: 24 hours, unless specified differently in the lease. (UCA §§ 57-22-4(2)).
  • Entry Allowed with Notice for Maintenance and Repairs (non-emergency): Yes (UCA §§ 57-22-5(2)(c)).
  • Entry Allowed with Notice for Showings: No statute.
  • Emergency Entry Allowed without Notice: No statute.
  • Entry Allowed During Tenant’s Extended Absence: No statute.
  • Notice to Tenants for Pesticide Use: No statute.
  • Lockouts Allowed: No (UCA §§ 78B-6-814).
  • Utility Shut-offs Allowed: No (UCA §§ 78B-6-814).
  • Abandonment of Premises: Landlord can assume abandonment by the tenant if either: (UCA §§ 78B-6-815)
    • the rent is more than 15 days overdue and the tenant’s possessions are still in the rental unit but there is no other reasonable evidence that the tenant is still living there, or
    • the rent is one or more days overdue, the tenant’s possessions are gone, and there is no other reasonable evidence that the tenant is still living there.
  • Abandonment of Personal Property: The owner may remove the property from the dwelling, store it for the tenant, and recover actual moving and storage costs from the tenant (UCA §§ 78B-6-816(2-3)).
    • Post and Mail Notice: The owner shall post a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place and sent by first class mail to the last known address for the tenant a notice that the property is considered abandoned.
    • 15 Days: The tenant may retrieve the property within 15 calendar days from the date of the notice if the tenant tenders payment of all costs of inventory, moving, and storage to the owner.
    • Allowed to Sell: If tenant fails to claim the property within 15 calendar days, the owner may sell the property at a public sale and apply the proceeds toward any amount the tenant owes; or donate the property to charity if the donation is a commercially reasonable alternative.
    • No Vehicles: The term “personal property” does not include motor vehicles.

Utah Rental Disclosures and Miscellaneous Notes:

  • Name and Addresses: Before a lease begins, the owner must disclose the name and address of the property owner as well as that of anyone authorized to manage the property or allowed to receive notice on the owner’s behalf. (UCA §§ 57-22-4(4))
  • Copy of Lease and Rules: Before a lease begins, the owner must deliver an executed copy of the rental agreement, if the rental agreement is a written agreement; and a copy of any rules and regulations applicable to the residential rental unit. (UCA §§ 57-22-4(4).
  • Domestic Violence Situations:
    • Proof of Status: Landlord is entitled to verify claim of Domestic Violence status. (UCA §§ 57-22-5.1)
    • Termination of Lease: A tenant is allowed to terminate a lease if: (UCA §§ 57-22-5.1)
      • the tenant is in compliance with all provisions of Section 57-22-5; and all obligations under the rental agreement,
      • provides the owner a written notice of termination, and a protective order protecting the renter from a domestic violence perpetrator or a copy of a police report documenting that the renter is a victim of domestic violence and did not participate in the violence; and
      • no later than the date that the renter provides a notice of termination under Subsection (4)(b)(i), pays the owner the equivalent of 45 days’ rent for the period beginning on the date that the renter provides the notice of termination.
    • Locks: Upon request, the landlord must change or rekey the locks at the tenant’s expense. (UCA §§ 57-22-5.1)
  • Landlord Duties: A detailed list of landlord responsibilities is provided at UCA §§ 57-22-4.
  • Tenant’s Duties: A detailed list of tenant responsibilities is provided at UCA §§ 57-22-5.
  • Trash Removal: For buildings containing more than two residential rental units, provide and maintain appropriate receptacles for garbage and other waste and arrange for its removal, except to the extent that the renter and owner otherwise agree. (UCA §§ 57-22-4)
  • Lead Disclosure: Landlords must disclose all known lead paint hazards. Landlords must also provide tenants, as an attachment to a written lease, with an information pamphlet on lead-based paint hazards.

Utah Court and Legal Related:

Utah Business Licenses:

  • Business License Required: No statewide statute, but local cities and counties may have regulations and requirements. Check with your local governing authority.

Related Links

State Agencies & Regulatory Bodies

Housing Authorities

Utah Realtor, Landlord, and Tenant Associations

State Rental Laws Neighboring Utah