questions & answers

Question: I presently residing in a over 55 complex for the past three yrs. Never had to pay for rental insurance. Now, with the new lease coming, they are asking for payment on an insurance. My question is: Is this insurance a LAW? Do I have to pay a yearly insurance or montly? If there is no law, I do not/cannot afford to pay. As well as other seniors in the complex. We only live on a SS checks. Many do not have enough to their personal needs. I cannot pay for a lawyer either. I just need to know the LAW on the subject so that I know what to do. Thank you in advance for your kind attention to this mat

Answer:

Though the coverage is not likely required of you by law, the landlord may require it as a term of the lease for the future rental period and be within their rights. The Landlord Tenant Act allows either party to “include in a rental agreement terms and conditions not prohibited by this chapter or any other rule of law including rent, term of the agreement and other provisions governing the rights and obligations of the parties” as per ARS 33-1314(A) (http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/33/01314.htm&Title=33&DocType=ARS).
 
There are additional requirements specific to insurance premiums for condominiums with homeowner’s associations, which may or may not apply to the leasing agreement. Please review ARS 33-1253 (http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/33/01253.htm&Title=33&DocType=ARS) for that information.

To find out how the law applies to a specific situation, contact an attorney directly (http://www.azlawhelp.org/articles_info.cfm?mc=5&sc=36&articleid=151).