Security deposit interest in Utah
No — Utah does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits.
There is no interest to calculate — here is what does apply
Utah sets no interest requirement, so there is no figure to work out. The rules below are the ones that decide whether you get your deposit back in full, which is usually the larger sum anyway.
Deadline to return your deposit
30 days after the tenancy ends.
Miss it and the consequences below start to apply.
What to do next
- Give your landlord a written forwarding address. Several states make the return duty conditional on it, and Utah's rules are summarised below.
- Photograph the unit at move-out, dated, before you hand back the keys. The dispute is almost always about condition.
- If the deadline passes, put the request in writing and cite Utah Code Sec. 57-17-1 to 57-17-5. Keep a copy of what you sent and when.
Not legal advice. This is general information, not legal advice. Security deposit laws change and vary by jurisdiction. Verify with the cited statute or consult a licensed attorney in your state before taking action.
What does Utah law actually say?
Utah does not require landlords to pay interest on residential security deposits. The chapter contains no interest provision, imposes no escrow or separate account requirement, and sets no cap on the deposit amount. Any deposit is treated as the property of the tenant until the landlord is lawfully entitled to it.
Where a landlord intends to keep any portion as a non-refundable fee, that must be disclosed to the tenant in writing before the tenancy begins. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent, damage to the premises beyond reasonable wear and tear, cleaning costs, and other costs provided for in the rental agreement. Within 30 days of the later of the tenant vacating or providing a written forwarding address, the landlord must return the deposit or deliver a written itemised notice of any deductions together with the balance.
The notice must be hand delivered or sent by first class mail to the tenant's last known address. A landlord who does not comply may be liable for the deposit plus statutory damages, and the tenant may bring an action in small claims court.
What if your landlord does not comply?
No interest obligation, so no interest penalty. A landlord who fails to return the deposit or deliver the itemised written notice within the deadline is liable for the deposit plus a civil penalty of 100 dollars, plus court costs. If the tenant prevails in an action, the court may also award reasonable attorney fees. Failure to disclose a non-refundable fee in writing before the tenancy makes it refundable.