Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

questions & answers

Question: We paid 1 year of rent up front and have found employment in another state. There is still 5 months left. 30 day notice sent and accepted. Can the legally force us to continue paying the utilities until they re rent?

Answer: I always recommend consulting the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act found here: https://housing.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/AZ%20Residential%20Landlord%20and%20Tenant%20Act%20-%20Revised%20July%203%202015.pdf If the utilities are in your name with the utility company, you can simply shut them off unless you agreed to something to the contrary. If the utilities are in the name of the apartment complex/landlord, and the landlord agreed to let you leave early/out of the lease, then you are not on the hook for the utilities. If they have not agreed to release you from your obligations under the lease, they can seek to hold you liable for rent (but not utilities unless they are included as part of your rent) until they are able to re-lease the premises to someone else (which they must make good-faith efforts to do). Please note that I am providing general information based on the very limited information available to me. I am unable to provide you with legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created hereby. I wish you the best in this and all your endeavors.