Sevier County, Utah: Small Claims for a Security Deposit
Limits: $20,000 (statewide small claims (claims on or after Jan 1, 2025 through Dec 31, 2029; Utah Code § 78A-8-102) only). Court: Sevier County Justice Court.
Filing facts
| State small claims limits | $20,000 (statewide small claims (claims on or after Jan 1, 2025 through Dec 31, 2029; Utah Code § 78A-8-102) only) |
|---|---|
| Statewide filing fee | Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. State court directory |
| E-filing | Not verified |
| Time limit to sue in Utah | 4 years. |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Penalty formula | if owner fails the 5-business-day cure after tenant notice: tenant may recover full deposit (if not timely returned), full prepaid rent (if not timely returned), and a $100 civil penalty; court awards costs and attorney fees to prevailing party only if opposing party acted in bad faith; tenant gets no relief under § 57-17-5 without serving the § 57-17-3(3) notice. Bad faith required: No. |
| Deposit statute | Utah Code §§ 57-17-3, 57-17-5 |
Where to file
Sevier County Justice Court
Courthouse city: Richfield
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Court page checked 2026-09-20
See how to file in Utah for the state filing procedure.
Rent and deposits in Sevier County
County median gross rent: $878 per month.
| Bedrooms | Monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $585 |
| 1 bedroom | $706 |
| 2 bedrooms | $833 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,038 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,017 |
Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $833; two months is $1,666. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $833.
State legal maximum deposit in Utah: No statewide statutory maximum for residential deposits under Chapter 57-17.
Total households in Sevier County: 7,393.
Renter households: 1,487 (20.1% of all households).
Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 9.4%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.
County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed .
Will my deposit claim fit the limit?
Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Sevier County, $833 per month.
The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.
- Compared with $20,000 (statewide small claims (claims on or after Jan 1, 2025 through Dec 31, 2029; Utah Code § 78A-8-102) only), the whole deposit range fits.
A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.
Towns this court serves
A deposit claim is usually filed where the property sits or where the landlord is.
- Annabella
- Aurora
- Central Valley
- Elsinore
- Glenwood
- Joseph
- Koosharem
- Monroe
- Redmond
- Richfield
- Salina
- Sigurd
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file.
Statewide court resources
Statewide self-help centre: Utah Courts Small Claims Self-Help
Statewide help
- Utah Legal Services
Free civil legal assistance for eligible Utah residents, including tenant eviction defense and subsidized-housing problems; Salt Lake County callers can use (801) 328-8891.
Phone: (800) 662-4245
These are independent organisations, not DemandLetterLab.
From letter to filing
- Send an Utah security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 30 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Utah: 4 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
This template uses Utah law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.
Free Utah template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Utah law (Utah Code §§ 57-17-3, 57-17-5), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 calendar days after the day on which a renter vacates and returns possession of the rental property.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Sevier County?
Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. State court directory
How long do I have to sue?
Time limit to sue in Utah: 4 years.
Where do I file?
Sevier County Justice Court. Courthouse city: Richfield. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.