questions & answers

Question: Every year during monsoon season, my lot I rent is under 8 inches of water to include my AC, 2 sheds and part of my mobile home. Even though renting a sump pump would have easily resolved the issue, they refused to help. Now I have wood rot to both sheds and one support pillar sank. I'm unsure about any AC damage. Aren't they responsible for repairing the damage?

Answer: The Arizona Dept. of Fire Building and Life Safety has a PDF on rules and regulations of Mobile Home Landlord Tenant statutes.  It can be found at:  http://www.dfbls.az.gov/userfiles/files/SUMMARY%20November%202014.pdf.  

In part it says:  

VIII. Tenant Maintain and keep his space as clean and safe as conditions allow, and not to let visitors, guests or members of the household unreasonably disturb their neighbors. A.R.S. § 33-1451(A).
Inform landlord of non-renewal of rental agreement at least 30 days prior to its expiration. A.R.S. § 33-1451(A)(6).

Landlord obligation is:  
Landlord must maintain fit, safe and habitable premises. A.R.S. § 33-1434.

33-1434. Landlord to maintain fit premises

A. The landlord shall:

1. Comply with the requirements of all applicable city, county and state codes materially affecting health and safety.

2. Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.

3. Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition.

4. Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all swimming pool, shower, bathhouse, electrical, plumbing and sanitary facilities, including the recreational hall or meeting facilities supplied or required to be supplied or maintained by him.

5. Provide for removal of garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the mobile home space.

6. Furnish outlets for electric, water and sewer services. The landlord shall also furnish a prospective tenant with information concerning the type, size and power rating of all electrical, water and sewer connections.

7. Provide a statement of proposed interruption of utility service to the tenants within a reasonable time frame except in the case of an interruption caused by an emergency. An emergency does not include any failure or refusal on the part of the landlord to fulfill his duties and obligations as specified in this section. A statement of proposed interruption of utility service may be provided by posting an announcement of the period of the interruption in a conspicuous place within the mobile home park or by individual delivery to each tenant.

B. A mobile home park landlord shall not impose any conditions of rental or occupancy which restrict the mobile home owner in his choice of a seller of fuel, furnishings, goods, services or mobile homes connected with the rental or occupancy of a mobile home space unless such condition is necessary to protect the health, safety, aesthetic value or welfare of mobile home residents in the park. However, the landlord may impose reasonable conditions relating to central gas, oil, electricity, or water meter systems in the park.