Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Article
Tenant Self-Help Repairs
Do you rent an apartment, a condo, a townhouse, a house, a mobile home, or a mobile home park lot space here in Arizona? If so, your landlord is required by law to ensure that it remains in good condition throughout the term of your rental agreement.
Unfortunately, landlords do not always ensure that their tenants’ rented apartments, condos, townhouses, houses, mobile homes, and mobile home park lot spaces remain in good condition. Sometimes, landlords neglect to make required repairs, even after their tenants have submitted a written request.
An Arizona tenant whose landlord is not making required repairs has various options. This article addresses just one of them: the tenant’s right to make “self-help” repairs if and when their landlord ignores their prior request.
IMPORTANT NOTE: “Self-help” repairs are not repairs made by the tenant themselves but instead repairs made by an independent licensed professional at the tenant’s request.
If you would like to learn more about a tenant’s other options, all of which require the tenant to notify their landlord of the problem in need of repair, providing the landlord with an opportunity to make the requested repairs before the tenant does anything else, you may wish to consult the Arizona landlord/tenant act that applies to your specific situation:
• The Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ARLTA) describes the rights and responsibilities of tenants who are living in a rented apartment, condo, townhouse, house, or mobile home where both the mobile home and the lot space are owned by the same person.
• The Arizona Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Mobile Home Park Act) describes the rights and responsibilities of tenants who are living in a mobile home that they own but are renting a lot space in a mobile home park.
Both Acts are in Title 33 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.). The ARLTA is Chapter 10 and the Mobile Home Park Act is Chapter 11. A.R.S. Title 33 is available online here: https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=33.
Summaries of some of the rights and responsibilities described in both Acts are provided elsewhere on this website under “Housing”: .
QUESTIONS
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Can my landlord charge me for water, electric, or other utility bills that the property manager neglected to charge for in previous months? I am now being charged for utilities that were billed 2, 3, 4, and even 5 months ago. For instance, a bill came to them in May, which they neglected to post to our account, and they are now charging me for in September.
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I'm an owner/landlord of a single family home, which I rented to an individual with an option to purchase. He never exercised the option, and eventually defaulted on rent, and moved out. Problem is I recorded in the public record a document showing that he paid an amount toward the purchase of the house. I should not have done this because now I cannot refinance or sell the property due to a 'cloud on title. I contacted former renter to sort out issue, but he refuses to cooperate - leaving me stuck. What are my options ? Thx
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There is mold epidemic in my storage room. My possessions that were stored in there are destroyed and they are doing major repairs that will require to tear down walls leave me without hot water. I am asthmatic and have allergies. What are my options?
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I informed my landlord that there were several things that needed to be fixed (the dishwasher and the toilet) She never responded to my requests. I waited several days. I then informed her that I would have these items fixed and that I would provide her with receipts of the work done and deduct it from my rent. Again, she did not respond. Now she is seeking late fees for the amount that I deducted from my rent. In addition, the roof has leaked for the last year and after numerous requests has not been fixed to my knowledge. Can she do this and can I break m y Lease?
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I rented a home in December 2010. At the time it had no cooling of any kind except ceiling fans. Landlord said at time she took out window A/C 's because previous tentans did not take care of them. Can I break a 1 year lease for lack of cooling if she doesnt put some A/C units in?
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A pipe busted and flooded my apartment. It's been 2 weeks and they still have fans blowing and a humidifier. I'm pretty sure I see mold in walls and our manager is denying. I took videos. Also, I have an srp box that I load money on for electricity. I use $45 a month. I've already spent $100 in less than 2 wks in electricity cause manager said fans have to stay on 24hrs and it's my responsibility to keep electricity on or they will get lawyers involved. I can afford to keep putting electricity. I've been out of my home almost 2 weeks. Please help.
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I rent a apartment that has utility's included. Summer has hit and we have access to change or apartment temperature. It has been 92 degrees in my apartment. And have asked if can turn it down. They want to comply and now want evict me. Lost for words. How can this be.im up on my rent never missed a payment. What do do.
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My AC is not working. I have grandchildren living with me. I have notified landlord, but he has not sent anyone to repair. How long do I have to wait for a response from landlord. If he doesn't repair soon, I will have to go to a hotel. I have already purchased 2 fans,(blowing hot air only) We cannot live in this hot house. What are my rights?
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I live in a small town and rent on a primative dirt road that is not maintained by the county. My road is now a major mud pit and has very big ruts that I can't get my vehicle through. I contacted my landlord and he told me that it was not his problem. According to the county it is the responsibility of all property owners to maintain the road yet he still refuses to assess the situation. Can I send him a repair letter??
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how long do i have to hold on to an ex tenants property?
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