In Utah in 2025, the laws governing rent increases have evolved to provide tenants with more advance notice, especially for larger hikes, although there is still no statewide cap on the amount by which landlords can raise rent. Key points that tenants should know include:
- Notice Period: For rent increases exceeding 10%, landlords are now required to give tenants at least 60 days’ written notice before the rent increase takes effect. This is a change from the previous standard where only 15 days’ notice was necessary for month-to-month leases. The 60-day notice aims to give tenants additional time to prepare or decide whether to renew the lease under the new terms.
- No Rent Control Limits: Utah remains a landlord-friendly state with no statewide rent control laws. There is no legal limit on how much a landlord can increase rent once a lease term ends or in a month-to-month tenancy. Rent increases may be large, based on market conditions, and landlords are not required to justify the amount of the increase.
- Lease Terms and Renewals: Rent cannot be increased during the fixed term of a lease unless the lease specifically allows for it. After the lease expires, rent can be raised at renewal or if the tenancy converts to month-to-month, subject to the notice requirements. For month-to-month tenants, proper advance notice must be given before any change to the rental amount.
- Prohibition Against Discriminatory or Retaliatory Increases: Increases cannot be made based on discrimination related to protected classes such as race, religion, familial status, or disability, nor as retaliation for tenant complaints or exercising legal rights. Such increases would be unlawful under federal fair housing laws and Utah statutes.
- Applicability to Utilities and Other Charges: If utilities are included in rent or subject to adjustment, the lease must clearly specify the landlord’s right to modify rent to account for changes in utility costs.
- Recent Legislative Changes: The 2025 Utah legislative session introduced amendments reinforcing the required 60-day notice for significant rent increases, strengthening tenants’ protections and clarifying landlords’ responsibilities in notifying tenants well in advance of any rent hike.
Tenants in Utah should carefully review their lease agreements, watch for new 60-day advance notices for rent hikes over 10%, and understand that while there is no cap on rent increases, landlords must follow notification rules and refrain from discriminatory or retaliatory rent changes. Consulting local tenant resources or legal professionals can provide guidance if tenants suspect unlawful rent practices.
This reflects the evolving legal landscape in Utah for 2025 regarding rent increases and tenant protections.
Sources
[1] https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-utah
[2] https://www.hemlane.com/resources/utah-rent-control-laws/
[3] https://www.tieronerents.com/blog/house-bills-passed-in-utah-for-2025-key-changes-landlords-must-know
[4] https://le.utah.gov/Session/2025/bills/introduced/HB0182.pdf
[5] https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0182.html
