Arizona Landlord Tenant Act: Residential Lease Laws (2026)

What the Arizona Landlord Tenant Act Covers

The Arizona Residential Landlord Tenant Act only applies to dwelling unit rentals. Separate chapters govern mobile home park leases and other leases, including commercial leases.

Arizona Landlord Rights and Responsibilities

The landlord has the following duties:

• Comply with building codes
• Keep common areas clean and safe
• Provide trash receptacles and arrange for garbage removal
• Supply running water, hot water, heat and cooling

Landlords and rental property management companies must deliver leased premises free from holdover tenants or other conditions that interfere with the tenant’s use and possession.

Arizona Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

The act imposes the following tenant responsibilities:

• Comply with tenant duties imposed by building codes affecting health or safety
• Keep their premises clean and safe
• Dispose of trash
• Clean plumbing fixtures
• Use electrical, plumbing, sewer, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and appliances reasonably
• Refrain from deliberately or negligently destroying or damaging the premises or allowing others to do so
• Refrain from disturbing neighbors

Landlords may adopt tenant rules reasonably related to tenant convenience, safety or welfare, protection of the property or fair distribution of services. The rules must apply fairly to all tenants and clearly state what the tenant must do to comply.

Fair Housing and Tenant Screening Rules

The act only contains one tenant screening restriction. Landlords cannot discriminate against families with children when listing or renting properties. Under Arizona’s fair housing law, however, landlords also cannot refuse to rent because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Security Deposit, Rent and Fee Rules

Security deposits and prepayments are capped at the equivalent of one and a half months of rent. The landlord can also charge non-refundable fees if their purposes are identified.

Upon termination, deposits may be applied to outstanding rent and charges listed in the lease. The landlord has 14 business days to send a statement and any refund to the tenant.

Repairs, Habitability and Landlord Entry

The premises must be fit for habitation. The landlord must perform repairs to keep the premises habitable. They must also maintain electrical, plumbing, sewer, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, fixtures and appliances.

Landlords of single-family residences can delegate specific maintenance and repair tasks to the tenant. The landlord must provide adequate consideration to the tenant and cannot delegate simply to evade their legal duties.

Arizona Eviction Notices and Process

In Arizona, an eviction is called a “special detainer action.” This action is preceded by a written notice warning the tenant of the issue and giving them time to remedy the situation or move out, as follows:

• Non-payment of rent, five days
• Breach of the lease, ten days
• Health or safety violation, five days
• Material and irreparable health or safety violation, immediate

After the waiting period, the landlord can file in court. The landlord must prove they are legally entitled to regain the premises to evict the tenant.

Leasing in Arizona

The Arizona Residential Landlord Tenant Act governs Arizona residential leases. It defines the duties of landlords and tenants as well as the procedures for reclaiming leased property.