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House approves shorter holding period and limited tenant access after evictions
Summary
Second substitute House Bill 286 shortens the post‑eviction holding period from 30 to 15 days, requires landlords to post contact information, allows tenants limited access to retrieve essential items, and permits removal of hazardous materials and abandoned animals; the House passed the bill unanimously.
The Utah House on Feb. 19 passed second substitute House Bill 286, which changes state law on disposition of personal property after an eviction. Sponsor Rep. Frower said the measure gives tenants the right to retrieve essential items and reduces the period landlords must hold property from 30 days to 15.
Key provisions described on the floor include: allowing tenants access within a defined period to remove clothing, medication and identification; requiring landlords to mail notice and post onsite contact information; permitting landlords to remove hazardous materials; and permitting humane agencies to remove abandoned animals rather than leaving them on site. The sponsor said the shorter holding period reduces the time units remain vacant and helps landlords return units to the market more quickly.
Rep. Stratton and other members asked whether a five‑day window for retrieval of prescriptions and medical equipment was sensitive enough in contentious cases; the sponsor said the timing language came from housing advocates and that stakeholders considered the period fair for both parties. Rep. Arent and other floor members noted the bill’s animal‑welfare provisions as an improvement.
After discussion and waived summation, the House passed HB286 by voice/tally (73–0) and will transmit the bill to the Senate.
