A Utah rental agreement is a legal contract between a landlord overseeing a rental property and a tenant using the property. Utah landlord-tenant law governs and regulates these agreements.
Utah Rental Agreement Types
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Common Residential Rental Agreements in Utah
- Utah Association of REALTORS® Lease Agreement With Option for Purchase – This form is for use by members of the Utah Association of REALTORS®. It is in common use in Utah for purchase-optioned residential rentals. This template outlines both leasing terms (landlord disclosures, lease payments, late charges, etc.) and purchasing terms (purchase price, fee obligations, notice of intent, etc.).
Utah Required Residential Lease Disclosures
- Landlord’s Name and Address (required for all leases) – Utah requires that landlords provide their contact information or that of an authorized agent. This helps ensure smooth communication and payment of rent in the event of any unusual situations. Typically includes additional contact information for the landlord and authorized agents, such as phone numbers and email addresses.
- New Tenant Disclosure (required for all leases) – Utah leases must provide a disclosure which includes tenant eligibility criteria, information about all rent and fixed fees, and a move-in checklist which documents the current condition of the rental property.
- Methamphetamine Contamination Disclosure (required for some leases) – Utah property can’t be rented with untreated methamphetamine contamination. A landlord renting properties with potential contamination must disclose this fact and provide information about active treatment efforts.
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (required for some leases) – Landlords must provide an EPA-approved disclosure and informational pamphlet to tenants renting any property built before 1978.
To learn more about required disclosures in Utah, click here.
Utah Landlord Tenant Laws
- Warranty of Habitability – Utah landlords can only rent out habitable property. This means providing certain basic health and safety features like heat, plumbing, and electricity. Landlords must repair any issues within 1-10 days, depending on the type and severity of issue. Failure to repair lets the tenant end the rental agreement (called “rent abatement” in Utah), or repair and deduct, depending on specifics in the written notice. Tenants also may recover their attorney fees.
- Evictions – Utah landlords may evict tenants for reasons including rent default, lease violations, or illegal acts. Landlords must provide notice to pay or quit, depending on the type of eviction. Most Utah evictions take 1-4 months.
- Security Deposits – Utah does not limit the amount of a security deposit. When the lease ends, the landlord must return any unused portion of a tenant’s deposit within 30 days.
- Lease Termination – Utah tenants can end a month-to-month lease with 15 days of advance notice. Terminating a fixed-term lease early usually requires active military duty, landlord harassment, uninhabitable property, or domestic abuse.
- Rent Increases and Fees – Utah does not limit the timing or amount of a rent increase. Most fees also have no statewide limit. Returned check fees are $20 if paid within 15 days of mailed notice (otherwise, $55).
- Landlord Entry – Utah landlords may enter rental property for reasonable business purposes, like repairs and inspections. Except in emergencies, they must provide at least 24 hours of advance notice.
- Settling Legal Disputes – Utah lets small claims courts hear landlord-tenant disputes as long as the amount in controversy is under $10,000. The state does not allow eviction cases in small claims.
To learn more about landlord tenant laws in Utah, click here.
Sources
- 1 Utah Code § 7-15-1(2)(b) & (4)(2)(b)
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If an issuer of a check is liable under Subsection (2)(a), the issuer is liable for:
(i) the check amount; and
(ii) a service charge of $20.
…
(4) If the issuer does not pay the amount owed under Subsection (2)(b) within 15 calendar days from the day on which the notice required under Subsection (5) is mailed, the issuer is liable for:
(a) the amount owed under Subsection (2)(b); and
(b) collection costs not to exceed $35.
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