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Early Lease Termination Laws in Utah

In Utah, a renter who is a victim of domestic violence can end all future lease obligations by giving written notice, a court order or police report, and a termination fee equal to one month's rent.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Utah at a glance

Domestic violence victims
Yes, with one month's rent fee
Needs a protective court order or a police report, written notice with the move out date, a termination fee of one month's rent, and compliance with the rental agreement.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Utah

Can domestic violence or sexual assault victims end a lease early in Utah?

Yes, with one month's rent fee. Domestic violence victims in Utah: yes, with one month's rent fee. Needs a protective court order or a police report, written notice with the move out date, a termination fee of one month's rent, and compliance with the rental agreement.

Where do the Utah early lease termination laws come from?

The rules above come from Utah Code 57-22-5.1(4). Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Utah Code 57-22-5.1 was amended in the 2026 General Session (Chapter 445), effective January 1, 2027; that version keeps the domestic violence termination right.

What this means in practice

Read the lease first. Many leases contain an early termination clause, a buyout fee or a sublease option that may be easier to use than a statutory right. A statutory right usually applies even if the lease says nothing about it, and a lease generally cannot waive it.

Statutory early termination rights usually come with conditions. Common ones are written notice to the landlord, a minimum notice period, and proof such as a protective order, police report, military orders or a doctor's statement. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and method of delivery.

If you leave without a statutory right, you may still owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends. Where a landlord has a duty to mitigate, it must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and the amount you owe is reduced by rent the landlord collects or reasonably could have collected. Returning keys and documenting the condition of the unit can help limit disputes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.