Bill > HB0478

This bill amends existing Utah law regarding landlord and tenant relations, primarily by updating definitions and owner responsibilities. It clarifies that an "owner" of a residential rental unit includes managing agents and defines "rental agreement" and "rental application" more broadly. The bill also specifies owner duties such as maintaining safe and sanitary premises, providing essential services like plumbing and heating, and arranging for waste removal in multi-unit buildings. It introduces new requirements for owners to provide prospective renters with detailed written estimates of rent and other expenses, eligibility criteria, and information on how to recover payments if the rental agreement doesn't proceed as disclosed. The bill also sets limits on late fees and other charges, requiring them to be either a percentage of rent or a fixed amount, and mandates that any new fees not in the original agreement require a 15-day notice for month-to-month leases. Furthermore, owners must now provide a written inventory of the unit's condition or allow a walkthrough inspection before a rental agreement is signed, and must disclose their contact information or that of their authorized agent at the start of the lease. A significant addition is the requirement for owners to give 60 days' notice for monthly rent increases, with exceptions for month-to-month leases or rent increases tied to specific government programs like low-income tax credits or Section 8 housing. Finally, the bill clarifies that a renter cannot use an owner's failure to meet certain disclosure or procedural requirements as a reason to break their rental agreement or sue the owner.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0478.html