What are the renters' rights in Utah?

Asked by: Tessie Marquardt V | Last update: February 4, 2026

Score: 4.4/5 (35 votes)

In Utah, tenants have rights to a safe, habitable home, privacy (with notice for entry), and timely repairs, protected under the Fit Premises Act, allowing them to deduct repair costs from rent after a 3-day notice if landlords fail to act on significant issues. Landlords must follow proper eviction procedures, giving a 3-day notice for lease violations, and have 30 days to return security deposits.

What are my rights as a renter in Utah?

The tenant has the right to dwell in a safe and sanitary housing unit. They have the right to have their dangers and issues responded to in a safe and timely manner. They have the right to quiet contentment and they should be given a reasonable notice before the landlord enters their house or premises.

What not to say to a landlord?

When talking to a landlord, avoid lying, badmouthing previous landlords, mentioning illegal activities, promising unrealistic payments (like cash or future crypto), or making excessive demands, as it signals you might be a problematic or unreliable tenant; instead, be honest about your ability to pay and respect lease terms to build trust and a positive relationship.

Which of the following actions by a landlord would be illegal?

It's illegal for landlords to discriminate, harass, or retaliate against tenants, as well as to enter without proper notice (except emergencies) or conduct illegal evictions like changing locks or shutting off utilities; they must also provide habitable housing, make repairs, follow legal procedures for security deposits, and give proper notice for rent increases. Landlords cannot take "self-help" evictions or penalize tenants for exercising their rights, ensuring fair treatment and adherence to established legal processes.

Is it hard to evict a tenant in Utah?

You MUST Get a Court Order to Evict

Only a court order allows a legal eviction. It is illegal to do things like: Change locks. Shut off utilities (power, water, heat).

Utah Rental Laws Lease and Eviction Rules

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What's the quickest way to get someone out of your house?

The Landlord and Tenant Branch is eviction court, and you do not have to be a landlord to file a case to evict someone. You do not have to use the Landlord and Tenant Branch, but it is usually the fastest way to get a judgment to remove a person from your property.

How quickly can a tenant be evicted?

A landlord can evict a tenant quickly, often within weeks, but the exact speed depends on the reason for eviction, state laws, and tenant response, starting with a written notice (e.g., 3-day for nonpayment, longer for lease violations) that gives the tenant time to comply, followed by a court filing if they don't, which can take several weeks for a hearing and judgment, leading to an order for the sheriff to remove the tenant.

On what grounds can I evict a tenant?

Eviction during the fixed term

During the fixed term, your landlord can only evict you for certain reasons - for example: you have not paid the rent. you're engaging in antisocial behaviour. there's a 'break clause' in your contract - this allows your landlord to take back the property before the end of the fixed term.

What is the most common reason for eviction?

The most common reasons for eviction are non-payment of rent, violating lease terms (like property damage, unauthorized pets, or illegal activities), and lease expiration, where a landlord chooses not to renew. Other significant reasons include creating a nuisance, engaging in criminal activity, or the landlord needing the property for personal use, demolition, or sale.

What is the most common action taken by landlords against tenants in breach of contract?

The most common actions landlords take against tenants in breach of contract involve eviction proceedings (often called "unlawful detainer") to regain possession of the property, especially for nonpayment of rent, and lawsuits to recover money for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and associated costs like attorney fees, often starting with a formal written notice to "pay or quit" or cure the violation.

What do landlords fear the most?

What Landlords Fear Most. We conducted a pre-Halloween survey where we asked the question, “What is the scariest part of being a landlord?” Of the options offered, ranging from tenant screening worries to foreclosures and finance, one area emerged as a strong concern: that a tenant would damage a rental unit.

What rights does a tenant have?

As a tenant, you have the right to:

live in a property that's safe and in a good state of repair.
have your deposit returned when the tenancy ends - and in some circumstances have your deposit protected.
challenge excessively high charges.
know who your landlord is.
live in the property undisturbed.

What is the 50% rule in rental property?

The 50% rule is a real estate investing guideline estimating that about half of a rental property's gross income covers operating expenses (taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancies, management), leaving the other half for the mortgage and profit, acting as a quick screening tool to avoid underestimating costs, though a detailed analysis is needed for actual investment decisions.

What are red flags in a lease agreement?

Knowing when to walk away from a deal is crucial

Here are some red flags to watch out for when signing a lease: Unclear terms: Ensure every term in the lease is clear. Vague language can lead to misunderstandings about responsibilities and rights. Maintenance responsibilities: Check who handles repairs.

Where can I file a complaint against my landlord in Utah?

Fair Housing Enforcement Offices

If you have a fair housing complaint, you can contact the Utah Anti-discrimination & Labor Division, Fair Housing at 160 East 300 South, 3rd Floor, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6630.

What does a landlord have to give a tenant?

A landlord must provide a tenant with a habitable living space (safe structure, heat, water, electricity, plumbing), essential safety features (smoke/CO detectors, locks), key documents (lease, deposit info, safety certificates like gas/energy), and contact details, while generally providing essential services like repairs and quiet enjoyment, all according to specific federal, state, and local laws.

Who is most likely to get evicted?

Those Living with Children are at the Highest Risk of Eviction. Households that include children are filed against for eviction at high rates.

What are the grounds of eviction of a tenant?

Rent arrears: If the tenant has fallen behind on rent payments. Breach of tenancy agreement: This could include subletting without permission, causing damage to the property, or engaging in anti-social behaviour. Persistent late payment of rent: Consistently paying rent late can also be grounds for eviction.

What are valid reasons to end a tenancy?

Landlords must now provide a valid reason—such as rent arrears, property sale, or tenant misconduct—when seeking to end a tenancy. These reforms aim to improve clarity and fairness while protecting landlords' ability to manage their properties effectively.

How many months notice should a landlord give a tenant?

3 months' notice for a quarterly tenant; 3 months' notice for a half-yearly tenant; and. 6 months' notice for a yearly tenant.

What happens if someone refuses to leave?

If they don't leave by that date, you can call the police and ask the officers to remove the person as a trespasser. You have the notice as proof that you asked them to leave. If the police remove the guest, they could end up with an arrest record.

What are the rules around eviction?

All notices must:

be in writing.
give the address of the residential premises.
be signed by the landlord or the landlord's agent.
set out the rent that is due and any additional rent that may become due during the notice period.
state the reasons for the eviction.
state the date the tenancy ends.

How difficult is it to remove a tenant?

If you want to evict a tenant, you must issue them with a 'Notice to Leave' and at least one of the 18 grounds for eviction must apply. That means you can't ask a tenant to leave without a legally valid reason. - At least 84 days' notice if they've lived in the property for more than six months.

How to get a tenant to leave without eviction?

How to make a tenant want to leave

Ask politely. If you get along well with your tenants but need them to leave because of changes in your business plans, you can handle the situation without going through an eviction process. ...
Offer cash incentive. ...
Check for any illegal activity. ...
Increase their rent. ...
Propose legal recourse.

What is a valid reason to evict a tenant?

Legal reasons to evict a tenant primarily involve non-payment of rent, breaches of the lease agreement (like unauthorized pets, subletting, or significant property damage), engaging in illegal activities or creating a nuisance, and failing to move out after a lease ends or when the property is sold/renovated. Landlords must follow specific legal procedures, including providing proper written notices, and cannot use self-help evictions like changing locks.