Utah’s rental market does not have rent control, meaning landlords can set rental prices freely, even increasing rent by significant amounts at the end of a lease term. While the state has no limit on rent hikes, tenants do have some protections in terms of notice requirements and tenant rights, especially as new laws are set to take effect in 2025.
No Rent Control in Utah
Utah does not impose rent control, which means landlords can raise rents at their discretion, even in times of rising or falling market conditions. There is no cap on how much a landlord can increase the rent when the lease expires. Rent increases can happen freely, as long as they are stated in the lease agreement or at the time of renewal.
Notice Requirements for Rent Increases
Fixed-Term Lease
For tenants on a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be increased in the middle of the lease term. Any rent change can only happen at the time of renewal. Although landlords typically provide notice about rent increases, the law does not require it unless explicitly stated in the lease agreement.
Month-to-Month Lease
For month-to-month leases, the landlord must give a notice before raising the rent:
Under current law (2024), the notice period is 15 days before the new rent takes effect.
However, starting May 7, 2025, if the rent increase exceeds 10%, the landlord must provide at least 60 days’ notice. For smaller increases, the notice period could remain 15 days unless otherwise specified in the lease agreement.
Other Periodic Tenancies
Other periodic tenancies (such as week-to-week leases) typically follow the same notice rules as month-to-month leases, with the notice period being 15 days unless a larger increase triggers the new 60-day notice requirement under the 2025 law.
New Laws Effective May 7, 2025
The following changes will take effect in May 2025:
Rent Increase over 10%: If your rent is increased by more than 10%, landlords must provide 60 days’ written notice before the new rent rate is implemented.
Lower Rent Increases: For smaller increases, the notice period could still be as short as 15 days, but this will depend on the lease and the increase percentage.
Written Notices: All notices regarding rent increases must be given in writing. Verbal notices will not be valid under the law.
Additional Tenant Protections in 2025
Starting in May 2025, additional tenant protections will come into play:
Rental Screening Criteria: Landlords with four or more rental units must disclose their rental screening criteria upfront. If an application is denied, landlords must provide a written explanation.
Disclosure of Fees: All fees and rent charges must be disclosed in advance, before any payment is collected from tenants.
Electronic Security Deposit Returns: Landlords are allowed to return security deposits electronically, but only if the tenant agrees.
Eviction Protections: If evicted, tenants will have five business days to retrieve their personal essentials, such as IDs, medicine, and important documents.
What Tenants Should Do
Read Your Lease Agreement Carefully
Ensure that you understand the terms of your lease, especially regarding rent increases. Some leases may include clauses that specify how and when rent can change, so be aware of those conditions.
Confirm Notice Periods
When a landlord increases rent, check whether the notice period is correct. If the rent increase exceeds 10%, ensure that you receive the required 60 days’ written notice as per the new 2025 laws. For smaller increases, 15 days may still apply.
Communicate Early
If you receive a rent increase notice and are considering negotiating or moving, respond to the landlord as soon as possible. Timely communication can give you more options to address the situation.
Seek Legal Help if Needed
Rent increases that are used as retaliation or for discriminatory reasons are illegal. If you believe that your rent increase is unfair or unlawful, you can contact tenant resources or seek legal aid to help you navigate your rights.
Sources:
1. https://www.hemlane.com/resources/utah-rent-control-laws/
2. https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1779124/.multi-collapse
3. https://innago.com/utah-landlord-tenant-laws/
