State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
Utah Security Deposit Laws
Under Utah Code § 57-17-3, Utah landlords must return security deposits within 30 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to $100 penalty if no written itemization; balance then due in full.
Quick Answer
In Utah, landlords have 30 days to return your security deposit after you move out and provide a forwarding address. The maximum deposit is No statutory limit. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $11,000) and may recover $100 penalty if no written itemization; balance then due in full under Utah Code § 57-17-3. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
Received deductions from your landlord?
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What Utah Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 30 days to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face $100 penalty if no written itemization; balance then due in full. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $11,000without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A generic complaint gets ignored. A letter citing Utah Code § 57-17-3 deadlines and HUD depreciation schedules gets results. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $500-1,6005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Interior Paint
Typical: $200-7003-year useful life per HUD Handbook 4350.1. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
How It Works
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Each deduction checked against Utah law and HUD guidelines
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Get a Demand Letter That Cites These Laws
Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against Utah Code § 57-17-3 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
"Got charged $350 for cleaning when I hired professional cleaners before leaving. Had the receipt. Was surprised how quickly they gave in."
— Provo, UT
$19 to recover up to $1,400. That's a 73x return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Utah landlord have to return my deposit?
Utah landlords have 30 days to return your deposit with an itemized list of deductions.
What if my Utah landlord doesn't provide written itemization?
They owe you a $100 penalty and forfeit the right to claim any deductions—you get the full deposit back.
How much can I recover in Utah for a wrongful deposit withholding?
Utah allows recovery of the full deposit plus a $100 statutory penalty if the landlord fails to provide written itemization under Utah Code § 57-17-3. Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $11,000. The forfeiture rule makes most cases winnable on documentation alone.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
How long does it take to resolve a security deposit dispute in Utah?
After Utah's 30-day deadline, most disputes resolve within 3-5 weeks of a demand letter. Utah Small Claims Court hearings are typically scheduled within 30-60 days of filing. Salt Lake County courts have especially efficient dockets for deposit cases.
City-Specific Rules
Some Utah cities have additional tenant protections:
- Salt Lake City: Additional tenant resources through city housing programs.
Official Resources
- Utah Attorney General Consumer Protection(Government)
- Utah Legal Services(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how Utah's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
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Average Utah deposit: $1,400 · Based on Utah Code § 57-17-3 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527