Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

questions & answers

Question: Can a landlord require a tenant to pay $59 for a Technology Package (basic Cable and Wi-Fi) from Cox as a condition of Lease Renewal if tenant doesn't want it or have a TV or Computer/WiFi capable phone.

Answer: As a general rule, a landlord is permitted to include in a rental agreement any term or condition, so long as that term or condition (or its application) does not violate the law (A.R.S. 33-1314). A tenant cannot be compelled to agree to pay a new fee until the current rental agreement has expired, but, unless the new fee is unlawful – and the vast majority are not, even if they do not seem necessary – then the landlord may charge the fee and thus give the tenant the choice to either accept it or not renew the lease. If, even after speaking with your landlord about your desire to renew your lease without the new fee, you believe that this particular fee is unreasonable or is being insisted upon by your landlord for reasons that are not in good faith (A.R.S. 33-1410), then you can always contact an attorney.