Fourth Substitute S.B. 147
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies provisions of Title 57, Real Estate, relating to rentals.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . prohibits, except under certain circumstances, an association or an association of
13 unit owners from requiring a lot owner or a unit owner to:
14 . obtain the association's or the association of unit owners' approval of a
15 prospective renter; or
16 . give the association or the association of unit owners a copy of certain
17 documents relating to a renter;
18 . provides that no later than 30 days after the day on which a renter vacates a rental
19 property, the owner or the owner's agent shall return to the renter the balance of any
20 deposit and the balance of any prepaid rent and provide an itemized notice of any
21 deductions;
22 . establishes a procedure by which a renter may:
23 . notify the owner or the owner's agent of the owner or the owner's agent's failure
24 to comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph; and
25 . provide the owner or the owner's agent a five-day opportunity to comply;
26 . provides that if the owner or the owner's agent fails to comply within five days after
27 the day on which a notice is served, the renter may recover the full deposit, the full
28 amount of any prepaid rent, and a civil penalty of $100;
29 . provides that in an action to enforce compliance with the provisions of this bill, a
30 court shall award costs and attorney fees to the prevailing party if the court
31 determines that the opposing party acted in bad faith; and
32 . makes technical and conforming changes.
33 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
34 None
35 Other Special Clauses:
36 None
37 Utah Code Sections Affected:
38 AMENDS:
39 57-8-10 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 355
40 57-8-13.8 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 1992, Chapter 12
41 57-8-13.10 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 265
42 57-8a-209 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 178
43 57-17-3 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter 74
44 ENACTS:
45 57-8-10.1 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
46 REPEALS AND REENACTS:
47 57-17-5 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 1983, Chapter 208
48
49 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
50 Section 1. Section 57-8-10 is amended to read:
51 57-8-10. Contents of declaration.
52 (1) [
53 declaration shall be recorded that contains the covenants, conditions, and restrictions relating to
54 the project that shall be enforceable equitable servitudes, where reasonable, and which shall run
55 with the land. Unless otherwise provided, these servitudes may be enforced by [
56 owner [
57 (2) (a) For every condominium project, the declaration shall:
58 (i) [
59 included within the project[
60 (ii) [
61 the number of storeys and basements, the number of units, the principal materials of which the
62 building is or is to be constructed, and a description of all other significant improvements
63 contained or to be contained in the project[
64 (iii) [
65 each unit, and any other description or information necessary to properly identify each unit[
66 (iv) [
67 and
68 (v) [
69 state to which units the use of the common areas and facilities is reserved.
70 (b) Any shutters, awnings, window boxes, doorsteps, porches, balconies, patios, or
71 other apparatus intended to serve a single unit, but located outside the boundaries of the unit,
72 shall constitute a limited common area and facility appertaining to that unit exclusively,
73 whether or not the declaration makes such a provision.
74 (c) The condominium plat recorded with the declaration may provide or supplement
75 the information required under Subsections (2)(a) and (b).
76 (d) (i) The declaration shall include the percentage or fraction of undivided interest in
77 the common areas and facilities appurtenant to each unit and [
78 purposes, including voting, derived and allocated in accordance with Subsection 57-8-7 (2).
79 (ii) If any use restrictions are to apply, the declaration shall state the purposes for which
80 the units are intended and [
81 (iii) (A) The declaration shall include the name and address of a person to receive
82 service of process on behalf of the project, in the cases provided by this chapter[
83
84 (B) The person described in Subsection (2)(d)(iii)(A) shall be a resident of, or shall
85 maintain a place of business within, this state.
86 (iv) The declaration shall describe the method by which [
87 amended consistent with this chapter.
88 (v) Any further matters in connection with the property may be included in the
89 declaration, which the person or persons executing the declaration may consider desirable,
90 consistent with this chapter.
91 (vi) The declaration shall contain a statement of intention that this chapter applies to
92 the property.
93 (e) The initial recorded declaration shall include:
94 (i) an appointment of a trustee who qualifies under Subsection 57-1-21 (1)(a)(i) or (iv);
95 and
96 (ii) the following statement: "The declarant hereby conveys and warrants pursuant to
97 U.C.A. Sections 57-1-20 and 57-8-45 to (name of trustee), with power of sale, the unit and all
98 improvements to the unit for the purpose of securing payment of assessments under the terms
99 of the declaration."
100 (3) (a) If the condominium project contains any convertible land, the declaration shall:
101 (i) [
102 of convertible land within the condominium project[
103 (ii) [
104 within each area of convertible land[
105 (iii) [
106 maximum percentage of the aggregate land and floor area of all units that may be created and
107 the use of which will not or may not be restricted exclusively to residential purposes[
108
109 units on other portions of the land within the project are restricted exclusively to residential
110 use[
111 (iv) [
112 convertible land will be compatible with structures on other portions of the land within the
113 condominium project in terms of quality of construction, the principal materials to be used, and
114 architectural style[
115 (v) [
116 area of convertible land within the condominium project[
117 (vi) [
118 land will be substantially identical to the units on other portions of the land within the project
119 or [
120 (vii) [
121 limited common areas and facilities within any convertible land in terms of the types, sizes, and
122 maximum number of the limited common areas within each convertible land.
123 (b) The condominium plat recorded with the declaration may provide or supplement
124 the information required under Subsection (3)(a).
125 (4) (a) If the condominium project is an expandable condominium project, the
126 declaration shall:
127 [
128 expand the project[
129 [
130 expand, including a statement as to whether the consent of any unit owners [
131 required and, a statement as to the method by which consent shall be ascertained, or a
132 statement that there are no such limitations[
133 [
134
135 option to expand the condominium project [
136 of any circumstances [
137 specified time limits[
138 [
139 land that may be added to the condominium project, which is known as additional land[
140 [
141 (A) if any of the additional land is added to the condominium project, whether all of it
142 or any particular portion of it must be added;
143 (B) any limitations as to what portions may be added; or
144 (C) a statement that there are no such limitations[
145 [
146 additional land may be added to the condominium project at different times, [
147 including any limitations fixing the boundaries of those portions by legal descriptions setting
148 forth the metes and bounds of these lands and regulating the order in which they may be added
149 to the condominium project[
150 [
151 locations of any improvements that may be made on any portions of the additional land added
152 to the condominium project, or a statement that no assurances are made in that regard[
153 [
154 created on the additional land[
155 (B) if portions of the additional land may be added to the condominium project and the
156 boundaries of those portions are fixed in accordance with Subsection (4)(a)[
157
158 added to the condominium project[
159 (C) if portions of the additional land may be added to the condominium project and the
160 boundaries of those portions are not fixed in accordance with Subsection (4)(a)[
161
162 any portion added to the condominium project[
163 [
164 additional land that may be added to the condominium project, [
165 maximum percentage of the aggregate land and floor area of all units that may be created on it,
166 the use of which will not or may not be restricted exclusively to residential purposes[
167
168 originally within the project are restricted exclusively to residential use[
169 [
170 portion of the additional land added to the condominium project will be compatible with
171 structures on the land originally within the project in terms of quality of construction, the
172 principal materials to be used, and architectural style[
173 no assurances are made in those regards[
174 [
175 any portion of the additional land added to the condominium project, [
176
177
178 regard[
179 [
180 portion of the additional land added to the condominium project will be substantially identical
181 to the units on the land originally within the project, [
182 on what types of units may be created on [
183 land, or a statement that no assurances are made in that regard[
184 [
185 create limited common areas and facilities within any portion of the additional land added to
186 the condominium project, in terms of the types, sizes, and maximum number of limited
187 common areas within each portion[
188 made in those regards.
189 (b) The condominium plat recorded with the declaration may provide or supplement
190 the information required under Subsections (4)(a)[
191 (a)[
192 (5) (a) If the condominium project is a contractible condominium, the declaration shall:
193 [
194 the condominium project[
195 (ii) [
196 contract, including a statement [
197
198 be ascertained[
199 limitations[
200 (iii) [
201
202 contract the condominium project [
203 circumstances [
204 specified time limit[
205 [
206 all land that may be withdrawn from the condominium project, which is known as
207 withdrawable land[
208 [
209 withdrawable land may be withdrawn from the condominium project at different times,
210 together with any limitations fixing the boundaries of those portions by legal descriptions
211 setting forth the metes and bounds and regulating the order in which they may be withdrawn
212 from the condominium project[
213 [
214 of the land within the condominium project to which the option to contract the project does not
215 extend.
216 [
217 supplement the information required under [
218 (vi).
219 (6) (a) If the condominium project is a leasehold condominium, [
220 shall, with respect to any ground lease or other leases the expiration or termination of which
221 will or may terminate or contract the condominium project:
222 (i) [
223 lease in the official records of the county recorder[
224 (ii) [
225 (iii) [
226 the unit owners in fee simple[
227 (iv) if there is to be fee simple ownership of any land or improvement, as described in
228 Subsection (6)(a)(iii), [
229 (A) a description of the land or improvements, including [
230 description by metes and bounds of the land; or
231 (B) a statement of any rights the unit owners have to remove these improvements
232 within a reasonable time after the expiration or termination of the lease or leases involved, or a
233 statement that they shall have no such rights[
234 [
235 to extend or renew any of the leases or to redeem or purchase any of the reversions, or a
236 statement that they have no such rights.
237 (b) After the recording of the declaration, [
238 [
239 terminate any part of the leasehold interest of any unit owner who:
240 (i) makes timely payment of [
241 designated in the declaration for the receipt of the rent; and
242 (ii) otherwise complies with all covenants which would entitle the lessor to terminate
243 the lease if [
244 (7) (a) If the condominium project contains time period units, the declaration shall also
245 contain the location of each condominium unit in the calendar year. This information shall be
246 set out in a fourth column of the exhibit or schedule referred to in Subsection 57-8-7 (2), if the
247 exhibit or schedule accompanies the declaration.
248 (b) The declaration shall also put timeshare owners on notice that tax notices will be
249 sent to the management committee, not each timeshare owner.
250 (c) The time period units created with respect to any given physical unit shall be such
251 that the aggregate of the durations involved constitute a full calendar year.
252 (8) (a) The declaration, bylaws, and condominium plat shall be duly executed and
253 acknowledged by all of the owners and any lessees of the land which is made subject to this
254 chapter.
255 (b) As used in Subsection (8)(a), "owners and lessees" does not include, in their
256 respective capacities, any mortgagee, any trustee or beneficiary under a deed of trust, any other
257 lien holder, any person having an equitable interest under any contract for the sale or lease of a
258 condominium unit, or any lessee whose leasehold interest does not extend to any portion of the
259 common areas and facilities.
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317 Section 2. Section 57-8-10.1 is enacted to read:
318 57-8-10.1. Rental restrictions.
319 (1) As used in this section, "rentals" or "rental unit" means:
320 (a) a unit owned by an individual not described in Subsection (1)(b) that is occupied by
321 someone while no unit owner occupies the unit as the unit owner's primary residence; and
322 (b) a unit owned by an entity or trust, regardless of who occupies the unit.
323 (2) (a) Subject to Subsections (2)(b), (6), and (7), an association of unit owners may:
324 (i) create restrictions on the number and term of rentals in a condominium project; or
325 (ii) prohibit rentals in the condominium project.
326 (b) An association of unit owners that creates a rental restriction or prohibition in
327 accordance with Subsection (1)(a)(i) shall create the rental restriction or prohibition in a
328 declaration or by amending the declaration.
329 (3) If an association of unit owners prohibits or imposes restrictions on the number and
330 term of rentals, the restrictions shall include:
331 (a) a provision that requires a condominium project to exempt from the rental
332 restrictions the following unit owner and the unit owner's unit:
333 (i) a unit owner in the military for the period of the unit owner's deployment;
334 (ii) a unit occupied by a unit owner's parent, child, or sibling;
335 (iii) a unit owner whose employer has relocated the unit owner for no less than two
336 years; or
337 (iv) a unit owned by a trust or other entity created for estate planning purposes if the
338 trust or other estate planning entity was created for the estate of:
339 (A) a current resident of the unit; or
340 (B) the parent, child, or sibling of the current resident of the unit;
341 (b) a provision that allows a unit owner who has a rental in the condominium project
342 before the time the rental restriction described in Subsection (2)(a) is recorded with the county
343 recorder of the county in which the condominium project is located to continue renting until:
344 (i) the unit owner occupies the unit; or
345 (ii) an officer, owner, member, trustee, beneficiary, director, or person holding a
346 similar position of ownership or control of an entity or trust that holds an ownership interest in
347 the unit, occupies the unit; and
348 (c) a requirement that the association of unit owners create, by rule or resolution,
349 procedures to:
350 (i) determine and track the number of rentals and units in the condominium project
351 subject to the provisions described in Subsections (3)(a) and (b); and
352 (ii) ensure consistent administration and enforcement of the rental restrictions.
353 (4) For purposes of Subsection (3)(b), a transfer occurs when one or more of the
354 following occur:
355 (a) the conveyance, sale, or other transfer of a unit by deed;
356 (b) the granting of a life estate in the unit; or
357 (c) if the unit is owned by a limited liability company, corporation, partnership, or
358 other business entity, the sale or transfer of more than 75% of the business entity's share, stock,
359 membership interests, or partnership interests in a 12-month period.
360 (5) This section does not limit or affect residency age requirements for an association
361 of unit owners that complies with the requirements of the Housing for Older Persons Act, 42
362 U.S.C. Sec. 3607.
363 (6) A declaration or amendment to a declaration recorded before transfer of the first
364 unit from the initial declarant may prohibit or restrict rentals without providing for the
365 exceptions, provisions, and procedures required under Subsection (3)(a).
366 (7) Subsections (2) through (6) do not apply to:
367 (a) a condominium project that contains a time period unit as defined in Section
368 57-8-3 ;
369 (b) any other form of timeshare interest as defined in Section 57-19-2 ; or
370 (c) a condominium project in which the initial declaration is recorded before May 12,
371 2009.
372 (8) Notwithstanding this section, an association of unit owners may, upon unanimous
373 approval by all unit owners, restrict or prohibit rentals without an exception described in
374 Subsection (3).
375 (9) Except as provided in Subsection (10), an association of unit owners may not
376 require a unit owner who owns a rental unit to:
377 (a) obtain the association of unit owners' approval of a prospective renter; or
378 (b) give the association of unit owners:
379 (i) a copy of a rental application;
380 (ii) a copy of a renter's or prospective renter's credit information or credit report;
381 (iii) a copy of a renter's or prospective renter's background check; or
382 (iv) documentation to verify the renter's age.
383 (10) (a) A unit owner who owns a rental unit shall give an association of unit owners
384 the documents described in Subsection (9)(b) if the unit owner is required to provide the
385 documents by court order or as part of discovery under the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
386 (b) If an association of unit owners' declaration lawfully prohibits or restricts
387 occupancy of the units by a certain class of individuals, the association of unit owners may
388 require a unit owner who owns a rental unit to give the association of unit owners the
389 information described in Subsection (9)(b), if:
390 (i) the information helps the association of unit owners determine whether the renter's
391 occupancy of the unit complies with the association of unit owners' declaration; and
392 (ii) the association of unit owners uses the information to determine whether the
393 renter's occupancy of the unit complies with the association of unit owners' declaration.
394 Section 3. Section 57-8-13.8 is amended to read:
395 57-8-13.8. Contraction of project.
396 A condominium project may be contracted under the provisions of the declaration and
397 the provisions of this chapter. Any such contraction shall be considered to have occurred at the
398 time of the recordation of an amendment to the declaration, executed by the declarant,
399 containing a legal description by metes and bounds of the land withdrawn from the
400 condominium project. If portions of the withdrawable land were described pursuant to
401 Subsection 57-8-10 (5)[
402 conveyance of any unit on the portion. If no withdrawable portions were described, then none
403 of the withdrawable land may be withdrawn after the first conveyance of any unit on the
404 portion.
405 Section 4. Section 57-8-13.10 is amended to read:
406 57-8-13.10. Condominiums containing convertible land -- Expandable
407 condominiums -- Allocation of interests in common areas and facilities.
408 (1) If a condominium project contains any convertible land or is an expandable
409 condominium, then the declaration may not allocate undivided interests in the common areas
410 and facilities on the basis of par value unless the declaration:
411 (a) prohibits the creation of any units not substantially identical to the units depicted on
412 the condominium plat recorded pursuant to Subsection 57-8-13 (1); or
413 (b) prohibits the creation of any units not described under Subsection
414 57-8-10 (3)(a)(vii) in the case of convertible land, Subsection 57-8-10 (4)(a)[
415 case of additional land, and contains from the outset a statement of the par value that shall be
416 assigned to every unit that may be created.
417 (2) (a) Interests in the common areas and facilities may not be allocated to any units to
418 be created within any convertible land or within any additional land until a condominium plat
419 depicting the same is recorded pursuant to Subsection 57-8-13 (2).
420 (b) Simultaneously with the recording of the supplemental condominium plat required
421 under Subsection (2)(a), the declarant shall execute and record an amendment to the
422 declaration which reallocates undivided interests in the common areas and facilities so that the
423 units depicted on the supplemental condominium plat shall be allocated undivided interests in
424 the common areas and facilities on the same basis as the units depicted on the condominium
425 plat that was recorded simultaneously with the declaration pursuant to Subsection 57-8-13 (1).
426 (3) If all of a convertible space is converted into common areas and facilities, including
427 limited common areas and facilities, then the undivided interest in the common areas and
428 facilities appertaining to the convertible space shall afterward appertain to the remaining units
429 and shall be allocated among them in proportion to their undivided interests in the common
430 areas and facilities. The principal officer of the unit owners' association or of the management
431 committee, or any other officer specified in the declaration, shall immediately prepare, execute,
432 and record an amendment to the declaration reflecting the reallocation of undivided interest
433 produced by the conversion.
434 (4) (a) If the expiration or termination of any lease of a leasehold condominium causes
435 a contraction of the condominium project which reduces the number of units, or if the
436 withdrawal of withdrawable land of a contractible condominium causes a contraction of the
437 condominium project which reduces the number of units, the undivided interest in the common
438 areas and facilities appertaining to any units so withdrawn shall afterward appertain to the
439 remaining units, being allocated among them in proportion to their undivided interests in the
440 common areas and facilities.
441 (b) The principal officer of the unit owners' association or of the management
442 committee, or any other officer specified in the declaration shall immediately prepare, execute,
443 and record an amendment to the declaration, reflecting the reallocation of undivided interests
444 produced by the reduction of units.
445 Section 5. Section 57-8a-209 is amended to read:
446 57-8a-209. Rental restrictions.
447 (1) As used in this section, "rentals" or "rental lot" means:
448 (a) a lot owned by an individual not described in Subsection (1)(b) that is occupied by
449 someone while no lot owner occupies the lot as the lot owner's primary residence; and
450 (b) a lot owned by an entity or trust, regardless of who occupies the lot.
451 (2) (a) Subject to Subsections (2)(b), (6), and (7), an association may:
452 (i) create restrictions on the number and term of rentals in an association; or
453 (ii) prohibit rentals in the association.
454 (b) An association that creates a rental restriction or prohibition in accordance with
455 Subsection (1)(a)(i) shall create the rental restriction or prohibition in a recorded declaration of
456 covenants, conditions, and restrictions, or by amending the recorded declaration of covenants,
457 conditions, and restrictions.
458 (3) If an association prohibits or imposes restrictions on the number and term of
459 rentals, the restrictions shall include:
460 (a) a provision that requires the association to exempt from the rental restrictions the
461 following lot owner and the lot owner's lot:
462 (i) a lot owner in the military for the period of the lot owner's deployment;
463 (ii) a lot occupied by a lot owner's parent, child, or sibling;
464 (iii) a lot owner whose employer has relocated the lot owner for no less than two years;
465 or
466 (iv) a lot owned by a trust or other entity created for estate planning purposes if the
467 trust or other estate planning entity was created for:
468 (A) the estate of a current resident of the lot; or
469 (B) the parent, child, or sibling of the current resident of the lot;
470 (b) a provision [
471 before the time the rental restriction described in Subsection (2)(a) is recorded with the county
472 recorder of the county in which the association is located to continue renting until:
473 (i) the lot owner occupies the lot; or
474 (ii) an officer, owner, member, trustee, beneficiary, director, or person holding a
475 similar position of ownership or control of an entity or trust that holds an ownership interest in
476 the lot, occupies the lot; and
477 (c) a requirement that the association create, by rule or resolution, procedures to:
478 (i) determine and track the number of rentals and lots in the association subject to the
479 provisions described in Subsections (3)(a) and (b); and
480 (ii) ensure consistent administration and enforcement of the rental restrictions.
481 (4) For purposes of Subsection (3)(b), a transfer occurs when one or more of the
482 following occur:
483 (a) the conveyance, sale, or other transfer of a lot by deed;
484 (b) the granting of a life estate in the lot; or
485 (c) if the lot is owned by a limited liability company, corporation, partnership, or other
486 business entity, the sale or transfer of more than 75% of the business entity's share, stock,
487 membership interests, or partnership interests in a 12-month period.
488 (5) This section does not limit or affect residency age requirements for an association
489 that complies with the requirements of the Housing for Older Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec.
490 3607.
491 (6) The declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions or amendments to the
492 declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions recorded [
493 the first lot from the initial declarant may prohibit or restrict rentals without providing for the
494 exceptions, provisions, and procedures required under Subsection (3)(a).
495 (7) [
496 (a) an association [
497 57-8-3 ;
498 (b) any other form of timeshare interest as defined in Section 57-19-2 ; or
499 (c) an association in which the initial declaration of covenants, conditions, and
500 restrictions is recorded before May 12, 2009.
501 (8) Notwithstanding this section, an association may, upon unanimous approval by all
502 lot owners, restrict or prohibit rentals without an exception described in Subsection (3).
503 (9) Except as provided in Subsection (10), an association may not require a lot owner
504 who owns a rental lot to:
505 (a) obtain the association's approval of a prospective renter; or
506 (b) give the association:
507 (i) a copy of a rental application;
508 (ii) a copy of a renter's or prospective renter's credit information or credit report;
509 (iii) a copy of a renter's or prospective renter's background check; or
510 (iv) documentation to verify the renter's age.
511 (10) (a) A lot owner who owns a rental lot shall give an association the documents
512 described in Subsection (9)(b) if the lot owner is required to provide the documents by court
513 order or as part of discovery under the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
514 (b) If an association's declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions lawfully
515 prohibits or restricts occupancy of the lots by a certain class of individuals, the association may
516 require a lot owner who owns a rental lot to give the association the information described in
517 Subsection (9)(b), if:
518 (i) the information helps the association determine whether the renter's occupancy of
519 the lot complies with the association's declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions;
520 and
521 (ii) the association uses the information to determine whether the renter's occupancy of
522 the lot complies with the association's declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions.
523 Section 6. Section 57-17-3 is amended to read:
524 57-17-3. Deductions from deposit -- Written itemization -- Time for return.
525 (1) Upon termination of [
526 property or money held as a deposit [
527
528 wear and tear, other costs and fees provided for in the contract [
529 [
530
531
532
533
534
535 (2) No later than 30 days after the day on which a renter vacates and returns possession
536 of a rental property to the owner or the owner's agent, the owner or the owner's agent shall
537 deliver to the renter at the renter's last known address:
538 (a) the balance of any deposit;
539 (b) the balance of any prepaid rent; and
540 (c) if the owner or the owner's agent made any deductions from the deposit or prepaid
541 rent, a written notice that itemizes and explains the reason for each deduction.
542 (3) If an owner or the owner's agent fails to comply with the requirements described in
543 Subsection (2), the renter may serve the owner or the owner's agent, in accordance with
544 Subsection (4), a notice that:
545 (a) states:
546 (i) the names of the parties to the rental agreement;
547 (ii) the day on which the renter vacated the rental property;
548 (iii) that the owner or the owner's agent has failed to comply with the requirements
549 described in Subsection (2); and
550 (vi) the address where the owner or the owner's agent may send the items described in
551 Subsection (2); and
552 (b) is substantially in the following form:
553
554 TO: (insert owner or owner's agent's name)
555 RE: (insert address of rental property)
556 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT WITHIN FIVE (5) CALENDAR DAYS
557 pursuant to Utah Code Sections 57-17-3 et seq., the owner or the owner's agent must provide
558 the tenant, at the address below, a refund of the balance of any security deposit, the balance of
559 any prepaid rent, and a notice of any deductions from the security deposit or prepaid rent as
560 allowed by law.
561 NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that failure to comply with this notice will require the
562 owner to refund the entire security deposit, the full amount of any prepaid rent, and a penalty of
563 $100. If the entire security deposit, the full amount of any prepaid rent, and the penalty of $100
564 is not tendered to the tenant, and the tenant is required to initiate litigation to enforce the
565 provisions of the statute, the owner may be liable for the tenant's court costs and attorney fees.
566 Tenant's Name(s):_____________________________________
567 Mailing Address_____________________ City____________ State_____ Zip_______
568 This is a legal document. Please read and comply with the document's terms.
569 Dated this ______ day of _____________, 20____
570
571 On this _____ day of ____________, 20____, I swear and attest that I served this notice
572 in compliance with Utah Code Section 57-17-3 by:
573 ____ Delivering a copy to the owner or the owner's agent personally at the address
574 provided in the lease agreement;
575 ____ Leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion at the address
576 provided in the lease agreement because the owner or the owner's agent was absent from the
577 address provided in the lease agreement;
578 ____ Affixing a copy in a conspicuous place at the address provided in the lease
579 agreement because a person of suitable age or discretion could not be found at the address
580 provided in the lease agreement; or
581 ____ Sending a copy through registered or certified mail to the owner or the owner's
582 agent at the address provided in the lease agreement.
583 The owner's address to which the service was effected is:
584 Address________________________ City______________ State_____ Zip_______
585 _________________ (server's signature)
586
587 Pursuant to Utah Code Section 46-5-101 , I declare under criminal penalty of the State of Utah
588 that the foregoing is true and correct.
589 Executed this _____ day of _____________, 20____.
590 ___________________ (server's signature)
591 (4) A notice described in Subsection (3) shall be served:
592 (a) (i) by delivering a copy to the owner or the owner's agent personally at the address
593 provided in the lease agreement;
594 (ii) if the owner or the owner's agent is absent from the address provided in the lease
595 agreement, by leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion at the address
596 provided in the lease agreement; or
597 (iii) if a person of suitable age or discretion cannot be found at the address provided in
598 the lease agreement, by affixing a copy in a conspicuous place at the address provided in the
599 lease agreement; or
600 (b) by sending a copy through registered or certified mail to the owner or the owner's
601 agent at the address provided in the lease agreement.
602 (5) Within five business days after the day on which the notice described in Subsection
603 (3) is served, the owner or the owner's agent shall comply with the requirements described in
604 Subsection (2).
605 Section 7. Section 57-17-5 is repealed and reenacted to read:
606 57-17-5. Failure to return deposit or prepaid rent or to give required notice --
607 Recovery of deposit, penalty, costs, and attorney fees.
608 (1) If an owner or the owner's agent fails to comply with the requirements described in
609 Subsection 57-17-4 (4), the renter may:
610 (a) recover from the owner:
611 (i) if the owner or the owner's agent failed to timely return the balance of the renter's
612 deposit, the full deposit;
613 (ii) if the owner or the owner's agent failed to timely return the balance of the renter's
614 prepaid rent, the full amount of the prepaid rent; and
615 (iii) a civil penalty of $100; and
616 (b) file an action in district court to enforce compliance with the provisions of this
617 section.
618 (2) In an action under Subsection (1)(b), the court shall award costs and attorney fees
619 to the prevailing party if the court determines that the opposing party acted in bad faith.
620 (3) A renter is not entitled to relief under this section if the renter fails to serve a notice
621 in accordance with Subsection 57-17-3 (3).
622 (4) This section does not preclude an owner or a renter from recovering other damages
623 to which the owner or the renter is entitled.
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