, renters in 2021 still saw an increase of approximately 10-15% from the previous year. If your landlord has informed you that they’re increasing your rent, you’ll want to make sure that they’re legally permitted to do so.

If you’re curious about whether your landlord can legally raise your rent,

Jerry

, the

car

and

home insurance

broker and

super app

, can help you answer your questions. Jerry knows that getting that notice from your landlord can be a bummer, and wants to make sure that you are aware of your legal options.

Compare renters insurance rates in minutes

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Find Rates & Get Covered

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

How much can a landlord raise rent in Utah?

In Utah, landlords are permitted to increase your rent as much as they please, but they are subject to certain pre-conditions.

Unlike the state of New York, where the state has implemented rent control to prevent major price hikes, Utah has not imposed these limits. So, if your landlord decides to increase your rent by $1000, they are legally permitted to do so.

However, landlords are also subject to the rental and housing market conditions. Raising rent to an unreasonably high rate for profit will only harm a landlord’s relationship with their tenant and their reputation with potential renters. As such, landlords tend to stay within the boundaries of their area’s rental market.

Furthermore, landlords tend to not raise rent during the term of a lease unless there is a clause in the written agreement permitting them to do so (ex. Increased property taxes, maintenance fees, etc.). Luckily, if your landlord is planning on increasing rent, they will do so when your lease term is coming to a close.

MORE:5 ways to save hundreds of dollars on your car insurance premiums

How much notice does a landlord need to give before they raise the rent?

As there is no statute governing rent in Utah, landlords are not legally required to give written notice before implementing an increase. However, it is customary for landlords to provide a 15-day notice to their tenants if they are planning to increase rent.

It’s a good idea to talk about rent increase with your landlord in advance if you are worried. This way, you know what to expect and can be prepared if they do end up increasing your rent.

You also should take a look at your lease, or written agreement, as that document will likely have information regarding rent increases. Since your lease is typically a legally binding agreement that governs your landlord-tenant relationship, your landlord has likely included any timelines for rent increases in the document.

Be careful, as there may be a clause in your lease that states that your landlord does not need to notify you if they increase rent. It is usually a good idea to discuss this with your landlord to ensure that you are on the same page and that anything discussed is included in the written agreement.

If you do not have a formal lease or written agreement, it is likely that you are a month-month tenant. For month-month tenants, landlords must give you at least 15-days notice before your next payment is due.

MORE:

Here’s how to save money on car expenses

When is it illegal to raise rent in Utah?

As with many other states, landlords in Utah are typically permitted to raise rent as they desire. However, if you suspect that your landlord may be raising your rent due to the reasons listed below, you may have a strong legal case against them. These cases include:

Retaliating against you in response to exercising your tenant rights (e.g. complaining to a nearby tenants’ union)

Discriminating against you based on your race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, or religion

Make sure to consult a lawyer if you think your landlord is raising your rent to retaliate or discriminate against you.

MORE:

11 car insurance hacks to save you money

How to respond to a rent increase

While you may simply accept a rent increase and begin to pay your new rate when directed, there are other ways you can deal with a rent hike.

If you suspect that your landlord is raising rent as retaliation or discriminating against you, be sure to contact a lawyer to discuss your options.

If you think that your landlord has violated your lease in any way, hire a lawyer to take legal action.

If you cannot cover the increased rate but wish to continue your lease, speak to your landlord to see if you can come to a compromise.

If other factors like COVID-19 have impacted your ability to afford your rent, visit

this website

to learn more about your options.

How to save money to deal with a rent hike

Saving money for situations like a rent increase is crucial to ensure that you can stay financially secure during emergencies.

Jerry

can help you spot savings on your insurance policies in less than 45 seconds!

A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.

And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

“
Jerry
was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.

RECOMMENDED