Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

questions & answers

Question: My lease for the condo I rent expires 07/31/10. if I move out in June, but still pay June and July's rent, am I considered abandoning the property? Do I need to let the landlord know I am moving out?

Answer:

See A.R.S § 33-1370 which defines abandonment. That statute says:

"Abandonment" means either the absence of the tenant from the dwelling unit, without notice to the landlord for at least seven days, if rent for the dwelling unit is outstanding and unpaid for ten days and there is no reasonable evidence other than the presence of the tenant's personal property that the tenant is occupying the residence or the absence of the tenant for at least five days, if the rent for the dwelling unit is outstanding and unpaid for five days and none of the tenant's personal property is in the dwelling unit.

However, it is best to notify the landlord. If any damage occurs to the property while it is vacated and the tenant is still "on the lease" the tenant might have some liabiity.