Utah Code § 78B-6-801 § 78B-6-814
Exclusion of tenant without judicial process prohibited -- Abandoned premises excepted.
Operative Text
Exclusion of tenant without judicial process prohibited -- Abandoned premises excepted. It is unlawful for an owner to willfully exclude a tenant from the tenant's premises in any manner except by judicial process, provided, an owner or his agent shall not be prevented from removing the contents of the leased premises under Subsection 78B-6-816(2) and retaking the premises and attempting to rent them at a fair rental value when the tenant has abandoned the premises.
Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-814 makes it unlawful for a property owner to deliberately lock out, remove, or otherwise exclude a tenant from their rented premises through any means other than a court-ordered judicial process. The only recognized exception is when a tenant has genuinely abandoned the premises, in which case the owner may reclaim the unit and attempt to re-rent it at fair market value, and may also remove the contents of the leased premises as provided under § 78B-6-816(2). This provision establishes that self-help eviction tactics—such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out—are prohibited under Utah law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-814, compliant property owners pursue formal court proceedings before taking any action that would exclude a tenant from their unit, regardless of the circumstances prompting the removal. Operators who believe a tenant has abandoned the premises document that abandonment carefully before reclaiming the unit or removing its contents, as the abandonment exception is narrow and distinct from a standard eviction situation. Bypassing the judicial process—even when rent is unpaid or a lease has expired—exposes an owner to potential unlawful exclusion liability under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-814 gives tenants the right not to be locked out, physically removed, or otherwise excluded from their home by a landlord acting outside of a court-ordered process. If a tenant believes they have been unlawfully excluded—for example, through a lock change or removal of belongings without a court order—this provision may be raised as a legal defense or the basis for a complaint, and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider can help clarify available options. Because the abandonment exception in § 78B-6-814 can sometimes be disputed, tenants who are temporarily away from their unit may want to keep records showing their continued intent to occupy the premises.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation