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Utah House approves 60‑day rent‑increase notice in HB355; sponsor acknowledges contractual workarounds
Summary
HB355 requires advance tenant notice of rent increases (60 days) to give renters more time to respond; sponsor acknowledged contracts could waive the protection and that the bill contains carve‑outs. The House passed the measure 51‑19.
The Utah House on Feb. 14 passed House Bill 355, which establishes a 60‑day advance notice standard for rent increases in many rental situations.
Sponsor Representative Sam Judkins said the bill reflects an industry best practice and seeks balance: it gives tenants more time to respond to proposed increases while preserving exemptions “so not to frustrate the private practice of providing housing here in Utah.”
Representative McPherson asked whether a renter’s written agreement could bypass the 60‑day notice requirement. Judkins replied candidly, “This bill is not perfect... There are ways to get around this law. And if the renter doesn't realize that they should have a 60 day notice and agree and signs a contract, that contract would stand.” The sponsor said the law was intended to put tenants and landlords on a more equal footing but acknowledged enforcement and contractual workarounds remain possible.
Representative Musselman and others voiced conditional support, noting stakeholder involvement and the goal of giving tenants fair notice near the end of a lease. The House approved HB355 by roll call; the bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
