How can a lease be terminated under Utah law?
A lease for a specified period of time expires at the end of the lease term and cannot be terminated earlier unless the parties agree. A month-to-month tenancy can be terminated by either party giving at least 15 days written notice to the other party, unless there is a written lease which specifies a different notice period.
On what grounds can a landlord evict a tenant in the State of Utah?
There are several grounds on which a tenant can be evicted, including failure to pay the rent, damage to the premises, disturbing other tenants or neighbors, violating building and health codes, violating a provision of the lease, illegal activities on or around the premises.
The landlord must first serve an eviction notice on the tenant. If the tenant fails to cure the problem in the time allotted, the landlord can file an eviction action in court. If the court finds for the landlord, the judge will enter an order for the tenant's eviction by a sheriff.
A tenant can be evicted regardless of whether s/he has children, is pregnant, is out of work or has nowhere else to go.
A landlord may not cut off utilities or necessary services, lock a tenant out or otherwise try to take possession of the premises by any means other than through the courts.
A landlord cannot increase rent, threaten eviction, cut off or reduce services as retaliation against a tenant for complaining to the landlord or to a government agency with respect to the condition of the premises, for organizing or joining a tenants' association, or otherwise availing him/herself of any other lawful rights and remedies.
The foregoing summary is provided for information purposes only and is not to be considered legal or business advice. The information may not be complete, accurate or applicable for any particular situation and should not be relied upon.
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