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Questions Answered by Kenneth Prigmore
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: In Utah, does a deed have to be recorded in order to be effective?

If an executed deed is not recorded, the deed transfer is still effective, correct?

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Jul 18, 2022

When you pay money for a piece of property, then you do have a claim against the person that sold you the property. But, the intended effect of a deed is to transfer ownership on official records. Until the deed is recorded, the transfer has not occurred in the eyes of the county and the state.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Agricultural Law and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: can I cancel my rental agreement when I sell my property or does the rental agreement continue on with the new owner

this is a rental agreement on farm ground

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Jul 12, 2022

The answer to your question will normally be found in your rental agreement. If you don't have anything in the agreement that specifically allows you to cancel if you sell, then you will normally be expected to fulfill the terms of the contract. As this is for farm ground, you don't have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: What happens when our agent told us he sent an extension of the deadlines and they accepted it but they never did?

Agent never sent the amendment to the sellers agent and now we have been in a breach of contract for about two weeks without even realizing it because we were under a different impression. What can we do in that case?

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Jun 22, 2022

The first question will be whether anything negative happens to you as a result. If you don't have to pay anything extra, and you don't lose an opportunity, then there isn't normally much you can do about it.

Read your real estate purchase contract to see what if any...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Ladder outside my bedroom window. Is this against a reasonable expectation of privacy?

My apartment complex is replacing the roof and in the meantime maintance has put their ladder that they climb up and down all day outside my bedroom window and the complex didn’t give any warning that they would have noisy work going on so it has been interfering with my ability to work (I work... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on May 17, 2022

You do have a reasonable expectation of privacy, but even more, you have a reasonable expectation of safety. Take time to think through the problem, any possible solutions (like a better place to put the ladder) and then write them down, sign and date it, save a clear photo or scan of the document,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: can a landlord deduct from the security deposit every time you resign?

I began my tenancy in 2018 with a $2,400 deposit (20% non refundable). I have signed a new lease every year since and every term 20% is deducted. Now the lease sows $984 as the deposit. Is this legal?

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on May 6, 2022

The answer depends on what you agreed to. An attorney will need to review each of the rental agreements you signed to be sure. Also, you can ask the landlord to produce a document that shows how that money was applied to specific costs and expenses.

1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: What are my rights as a tenant when the Landlord illegally withdrawals everything in my checking plus more?

I went to make my rent payment but instead of the payment I requested to make the portal I used withdrew everything illegally

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Apr 18, 2022

If you agree to have a specific amount taken from your account, then that is normal. If any other amount is taken without your permission, the landlord needs to return it immediately or they will be criminally liable. Tell the landlord they need to return the extra funds or your next call will be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Do we need to give a landlord our paystubs while we’re in the lease?

We have a roommate on the lease wanting to move out. In order to move out the landlord needs current paystubs for the remaining roommates. The lease ends in august.

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Mar 26, 2022

It is not normal to show paystubs to landlords. It sounds like your landlord is concerned about whether the remaining tenants can afford to pay the rent if one of them leaves.

The relationship is controlled by the length of the rental agreement everyone signed. If the person who wants to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Do my husband and I have the right to withhold rent from our landlord in this situation?

My husband and I currently live in a townhome complex, and have been smelling our neighbors second-hand weed for some time now. It took us a little while to figure out what it was. The smell was mainly coming through our vents, and was confirmed to be weed by the vent repair guy, who also confirmed... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Mar 23, 2022

Your safety is going to always be a priority in these matters. If you can prove you gave the landlord sufficient notice of the problem, either by email or text or written notice, then you have something you can give a judge if they sue you for breach of contract.

Contracts will normally...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Contracts for Utah on
Q: If my lease is ending do I still need to give my apartment complex 60 days notice before moving out?

My lease ends this month and the apartment complex says that I need to give them 60 days notice that I'm moving out. I've never heard of needing to this. If I have to comply I'll be paying a ton more for a month to month contract which I don't want to do.

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Mar 16, 2022

The answer lies in your rental agreement. Does it require 60 days notice?

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: My landlord is finishing our basement in our townhome while we live there, is that legal?

We rented a townhouse in Draper UT in November 2020. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, with an unfinished basement. In late September 2021 new management took over the property (without notice to the residence, we got notice the day the transfer of ownership took place). At this exact same time our... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Mar 10, 2022

Your relationship with your Landlord is governed by the rental agreement. There are a few different issues that could affect the outcome of the issues you presented. If your lease has expired for example, you may be living in the property on a month to month basis. In that case, the landlord would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: My landlord says I will receive a fine if garbage cans are taken out before Wednesday and not put back into the garage

by Friday. When I moved in the bins were filthy!! It was almost unbearable of the stench coming from the bins in my garage. He said it's the law to have them in the garage. I smell mold and I have been sick a number of times. So I took them out early this week. He told me I now have to pay a... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Mar 9, 2022

Your relationship is controlled by your Rental Agreement. Also, if you agree in the rental agreement to follow townhome community rules, those rules will control your relationship with the landlord as well.

If those documents make it clear that you are not allowed to put bins out early,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Do I have to keep paying my rent if the owner won't fix the unsafe water problem?

It's a mobile home park, the firehydrants don't work, the water and sewer lines are right next to each other. Others in the park are taking him to court. The city is taking him to court. I'm in a rent to own contract and the manager told me to stop paying my payment and lot rent... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Mar 7, 2022

Continue to pay rent. In almost all cases, paying rent is crucial to maintaining your right to stay on the property. It's always better to pay rent, while simultaneously pursuing the landlord for failure to provide services noted in the contract.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Utah on
Q: We bought a golden doodle female in March of 2019 and had the option to buy breeding rights or have her spayed within

5 months but did neither. We signed just a generic paper contract but didn’t have a notary or anything. My question is? Can she come after us for not paying the breeding fee and if so would the contract hold anything in court where it wasn’t witnessed or signed by a notary? Thank you for your time

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Feb 14, 2022

Having a notary is better evidence, but it is not required to prove a contract was signed. If you get to court and the judge asks you whether you signed the contract, and you say no, that is perjury, which if proven, can get you some time in jail.

Any communication outside of a contract...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Am I able to turn down "Amenity Fees" added on to apartment rent fees?

The apartment I'm in charges a standard rent fee, but also charges a separate "amenity fee" of $170 for valet trash service, direct tv and internet. I don't use the valet service or direct tv and never wanted it. I can get my own internet service. I was told this fee was... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Feb 8, 2022

Your relationship is defined by the rental agreement. If this specific amenity fee is on the rental agreement, or if the total fees you pay is stated in the agreement, then you have agreed to that amount for the time period of the agreement.

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Utah on
Q: How do I get a court order and the letters of guardianship on my child?

My ex wife passed away and our 10 year old daughter is the beneficiary on her life insurance policy. In order to get a lump sum payment, State Farm Insurance is requiring me to provide a Certified Copy of the Court Order and Letters of Guardianship of the minor’s estate. I shared custody of my... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Feb 3, 2022

Not all attorneys have the experience needed to handle a Guardianship. Your case is further complicated by the divorce. I recommend going to someone who handles Guardianships all the time. I recommend you try Bill Jeffs at Jeffs & Jeffs, PC in Provo.

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law and Tax Law for Utah on
Q: I want to register an anonymous business in Wy, then in Ut where I live. When I register in Ut, will I lose anonymity?

I have an e-learning business. I want it to remain as anonymous as possible. So I plan on registering in Wy. I do all the work out of Ut, which means I probably need to register here as well.

1. Do I need to register in both states if I do all the work in Utah, or can I just register in... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Jan 25, 2022

It is not necessary to register in two states. In Utah, you can register a new business without revealing the names of the owners. To do this, you will need help from a third party like an attorney or registered agent services.

The newly created company will need an address, contact info,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Does "written notice" to a landlord need to be signed and dated? Are emails and texts considered 'written notification"?

My wife and I are elderly and bought a house with a mother in law apartment 3 years ago (only our names are on the title and mortgage) but share expenses--mortgage, utilities, repairs and upgrades with our son and his family. He recently has tried to install a hot tub without our permission. When... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Dec 27, 2021

Normally your signed agreement between the parties will answer these questions. I highly recommend, whether you have an agreement or not, to sit down for a few minutes with an attorney to discuss your options. Most attorneys will do this first appointment for free to see whether they will be able... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Utah on
Q: My husband's brother died no will. But a forgery has appeared in the hands of his business partner. He had no children.

His wife has been dead a while. You can see the document is fake. There are 8 siblings alive, one is his wife's sister. There's a 10-acre parcel that half belongs to the deceased wife. Do we give her half to her sister? We already know the greedy Will forger won't prevail. Just want... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Dec 20, 2021

When you have property left in the name of someone who has died, the only way to transfer that property is to do either a probate or get an Order Determining Heirs. If you have a Will, you normally do a probate. If you have no will, or if it has been over 3 years since death, you will need an Order... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Utah on
Q: I moved from Utah to Oregon. Had a moving company pack my Uhaul. They didn’t meet outlines of contract & damaged my thin

The contract stated they would bring pads, dolly, etc. they didn’t. Nor did they tell me so I could at least get a dolly from Uhaul. It slowed the packing of the truck one Alt since I lived on the third floor of an apartment and they had to carry boxes down one at a time. Then in packing the... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Dec 1, 2021

Small claims court is definitely designed for issues like this. Like Solomon in the Bible, they have a tendency to "split the baby", so if you wonder what your outcome may be, add up your damages and costs that can be proven with good evidence, and then cut the total owed to you in half.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking, Collections and Elder Law for Utah on
Q: Is the surviving spouse responsible for the debts of the deceased spouse
Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Nov 22, 2021

Shared debts remain owed by the surviving spouse. Debts tied solely to the deceased normally get paid out of their estate, meaning their share of the assets they owned at their death. One way to deal with those debts is to open a probate in Court, then publish a Notice to Creditors in the... View More

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