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Security deposit · Utah

30 days after you vacate and return possession.

By housr editorsStatute text checked 2026-10-05Legal review pending
A named legal reviewer hasn't signed this page yet. We read and quoted the statute ourselves on 2026-10-05. Until review, this page isn't indexed by search engines. This is information, not legal advice. See legal review.
The short answerUtah Code §57-17-3(2)
Deadline30 calendar days
Before it appliesNone
If kept in bad faithIf the owner ignores the tenant's notice: the entire deposit, any prepaid rent and a $100 penalty, with court costs and attorney fees if the owner acted in bad faith

The rule

In Utah, the clock starts when: you vacate and return possession. The landlord then has 30 calendar days. The statute says:

“No later than 30 days after the day on which a renter vacates and returns possession of a rental property to the owner or the owner's agent, the owner or the owner's agent shall mail or deliver to the renter…”

If nothing arrives, Utah's statute prints a 'Tenant's notice to provide deposit disposition' giving the owner five business days.

For example, if you returned the keys on Oct 25, 2026, the date would be Nov 24, 2026. Use the Clock for your own dates.

What the landlord has to send

A written notice that itemizes and explains the reason for each deduction.

Do this

On move-out day

Give your forwarding address in writing and keep proof of sending. Photograph every room before you return the keys.

Deductions and wear and tear

Utah's statute limits what can be kept to the purposes it lists. We haven't summarised its wear-and-tear language yet; read the section linked above.

For a charge to replace something old, Fair Charge works out a prorated estimate from the item's age and useful life, and says where the useful life comes from. See also the item guides for carpet, paint and cleaning.

If the deadline passes

If the owner ignores the tenant's notice: the entire deposit, any prepaid rent and a $100 penalty, with court costs and attorney fees if the owner acted in bad faith.

“…failure to comply with this notice will require the owner to refund the entire security deposit, the full amount of any prepaid rent, and a penalty of $100.”
Utah Code §57-17-3(3)

The usual first step is a written demand that states the date the deposit was due and cites the statute. Our demand letter does that and carries any disputed deductions.

Your next steps

Sources

  1. Utah Code §57-17-3(2) · checked 2026-10-05

Information, not legal advice. Statutes are quoted from official legislature sites; summaries are ours. Spotted an error? Tell us.