Utah Code § 57-22 § 57-22-4.1
Failure to deliver possession of residential rental unit -- Renter's option to terminate rental agreement -- Abatement of rent.
Operative Text
Failure to deliver possession of residential rental unit -- Renter's option to terminate rental agreement -- Abatement of rent. (1) If an owner fails to deliver possession of a residential rental unit on the date provided in the rental agreement: (a) the renter may, by written notice to the owner, terminate the rental agreement; or (b) if the renter chooses not to terminate the rental agreement, rent abates until the owner delivers possession as provided in the rental agreement. (2) If a renter terminates a rental agreement under Subsection (1)(a), the owner shall, as promptly as reasonable, return to the renter all prepaid rent and any security deposit.
Utah Code Ann. § 57-22-4.1 addresses what happens when a landlord does not hand over a rental unit on the move-in date specified in the lease. Under this provision, the renter has two options: end the rental agreement entirely by giving written notice, or keep the agreement in place while paying no rent until the landlord actually delivers the unit. If the renter chooses to end the agreement, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and any security deposit as promptly as reasonably possible.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Utah Code Ann. § 57-22-4.1 places a clear obligation on property owners and managers to deliver possession of a rental unit on the date the rental agreement specifies. Compliant operators generally ensure that units are vacated, cleaned, and legally available before a new lease start date to avoid triggering the renter's right to terminate or to have rent abated. When a renter does exercise the termination option under this provision, operators are expected to return all prepaid rent and security deposits promptly.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Utah Code Ann. § 57-22-4.1, if your landlord does not give you access to your unit on the date your lease says, you have the right to either cancel the agreement in writing or stay in the agreement while owing no rent until possession is delivered. If you choose to cancel, the landlord is required to return your prepaid rent and security deposit as soon as reasonably possible. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization or consulting a legal aid office to understand the enforcement paths available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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