New Year’s Resolutions for Tenants: Building Better Habits in Your Utah Rental

Entering 2026, Utah tenants in the bustling Salt Lake Valley have a fresh opportunity to refine their living habits for a more enjoyable rental experience.

Mountain Heights Property Management which manages residential rental properties in the Salt Lake City area, encourages tenants to adopt these New Year’s resolutions for tenants, focusing on budgeting, organization, and communication to thrive in your Utah rental — and ultimately setting them on the path to homeownership and financial stability.

The Value of Resolutions in Rental Life

Resolutions promote proactive tenancy, reducing stress and potentially securing favorable renewals amid Utah’s 6% vacancy rates.

Resolution 1: Refine Your Budgeting Skills

Allocate 30% of income to housing per HUD standards. Track with apps like Mint, factoring in utilities averaging $165 for electricity alone. Keeping your budget written down and displayed is also a great way to visually see, and follow, a budget.

Mountain Heights Property Management screening already utilizes this 30% income approach, requiring a 2.5x income to rent ratio. This offers a win-win for tenants and property owners. Our reasoning, we don’t want to set the tenants up for failure — this failure ultimately could result in eviction proceedings, an unnecessary process when tenants are properly screened. This benefits the property owner as well — less late rent payments and costs associated with an eviction proceeding. (See how Mountain Heights Property Management could help property owners mitigate some, or all, of those eviction expenses with our included Property Owner Protection Plans by clicking, here.)

Resolution 2: Declutter and Organize Regularly

Quarterly purges keep spaces tidy, especially for storing winter items. An organized home impresses during inspections and reduces clutter-related issues.

Clutter can also invite unwanted pests. Keep things clean and avoid those tenant-responsibility pest expenses.

Resolution 3: Enhance Manager Communication

Use portals for requests, building positive rapport. Report issues promptly to leverage Utah tenant rights.

In 2026, Mountain Heights Property Management has moved to transition away from third-party maintenance coordination software and will bring it all in-house and centralized in the tenant’s portal, available via web and mobile applications.

Resolution 4: Embrace Eco-Friendly Practices

Switch to LEDs and conserve water, qualifying for Utah rebates. Sustainable habits lower bills and appeal to green-minded landlords.

For tenants enrolled with Rocky Mountain Power (RMP), tenants can get a free “Wattsmart Starter Kit” with LEDs and other items by visiting wattsmart.com. Enbridge, formerly Dominion Energy, customers are offered the ThermWise program, with options for a DIY Home Energy Plan or a professional assessment for a small fee, revealing available rebates (Note: Some of these programs may be homeowner or builder specific).

Resolution 5: Establish an Emergency Fund

Save three months’ rent to buffer against uncertainties, vital in a stabilizing market.

1. Calculate your monthly essentials (not luxuries): rent, utilities, groceries, basic transportation, phone/internet, and minimum debt payments. Multiply by 3 for your target.
For renters, focusing on three months’ rent + basics often makes the goal feel more achievable than a full six months right away.

Here are a few simple visual examples of how people commonly represent and grow their emergency savings:

These show the classic “jar” method—small, consistent deposits add up fast!

2. Make Savings Automatic and “Out of Sight”

Set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to a separate savings account right after payday (even $20–50 per paycheck). Treat it like a non-negotiable bill.

Many people find that once it’s automatic, they adjust their spending without noticing.

3. Use the “Pay Yourself First” Mindset

In your budget, prioritize the emergency fund contribution before discretionary spending. A popular simple rule is the 50/30/20 approach (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings/debt)—adjust the savings slice to include your emergency goal.

4. Find “Found Money” and Small Wins

• Round up purchases and transfer the difference (many banks do this automatically).
• Cut one small habit (e.g., fewer takeout coffees, cancel an unused subscription) → redirect that cash.
• Direct windfalls like tax refunds, bonuses, gifts, or extra side cash straight to the fund instead of spending.
• At the end of the month, move any leftover money in checking to savings.

5. Start Small if Needed—Build Momentum

If three months feels overwhelming, aim for $500–$1,000 first as a mini-buffer (great for small surprises). Then keep going. Any amount is better than zero, and consistency beats perfection.

6. Replenish Quickly After Use

Life happens—use the fund only for true emergencies (not vacations or new gadgets). Then immediately restart contributions to rebuild it.

Building this habit creates real peace of mind, especially when renting and market conditions feel more stable but life is still unpredictable. You’ve got this—one deposit at a time!