Leaving a Lease Early

A renter who is a victim of domestic violence may end all future obligations under a rental agreement by providing a court order protecting the renter, or a police report documenting that the renter is a victim and not the predominant aggressor, along with written notice of the date the renter will vacate.

• The renter pays a termination fee equal to one month of rent.
• The renter vacates within 15 days after giving the notice and pays rent for those days.
• The right is not available after a notice of eviction has been served.

• §Utah Code 57-22-5.1StatuteCrime victim's right to new locks -- Domestic violence victim's right to terminate rental agreement -- Limits an owner relating to assistance from public safety agencyOpens le.utah.gov ↗

A tenant who abandons the premises otherwise is liable for the entire rent for the rest of the term, or, if less, the rent until the place is rerented at a fair rental value, the difference in rent, a reasonable commission, and the cost of restoring the unit beyond normal wear and tear.

• §Utah Code 78B-6-816StatuteAbandoned premises -- Retaking and rerenting by owner -- Liability of tenant -- Personal property of tenant left on premisesOpens le.utah.gov ↗