questions & answers

Question: Three roommates and I rent a home. Owner lives out of the country and when in town he enters without warning. Last time he stayed 3 months and pressured me into moving out of the master bedroom so he could use it. I pay my rent and it was a huge problem moving all my furniture and belongings downstairs to a tiny bedroom. He uses our wireless internet and pays nothing toward utilities. I live in constant fear he can return and disrupt our lives again. Can an owner enter with no warning and live in home.Can he force me to vacate master room again. He implied I would be given notice if I didn't.

Answer: The following answer only applies if a tenant is leasing the property in its entirety.  It does not apply to someone who is merely renting a room.

Unless a tenant agrees to different terms that would have to be written into the lease agreement, a landlord’s access to the property is clearly defined by law.  So long as rent is not past due, the landlord’s presence on the property is limited to performing inspections, repairs, and maintenance to the property.  A.R.S. 33-1343 requires that a landlord give two days’ notice before entering a property except in cases of emergency or other extenuating circumstance.  There is absolutely no right for the landlord to act as a resident in the home without the consent of the tenant.