Utah Security Deposit Law (Utah Code §§ 57-17-1 to 57-17-5)

Under Utah Code § 57-17-3, a landlord may apply a deposit toward unpaid rent, damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, contract costs, or cleaning. No later than 30 days after the renter "vacates and returns possession" of the unit, the landlord must mail, deliver, or electronically send the balance of the deposit, any prepaid rent, and "if the owner or the owner's agent made any deductions ... a written notice that itemizes and explains the reason for each deduction." Utah law sets no maximum dollar amount or month-based cap on the deposit itself. If the landlord misses the 30-day deadline, the renter may serve a statutory "Tenant's Notice to Provide Deposit Disposition," after which the landlord has five business days to comply (§ 57-17-3(5)).

If the landlord still fails to comply within five business days after the renter serves the statutory notice, Utah Code § 57-17-5 lets the renter recover the full deposit, any prepaid rent, and a $100 civil penalty. The court awards costs and attorney fees to the prevailing party only if it finds the opposing party acted in bad faith. The renter must serve the notice first to be entitled to relief.