Arizona Apartment Lease Agreement

Finding an apartment in Arizona entails understanding the intricate structure of rental contracts. The Arizona apartment lease agreement outlines renters' rights, responsibilities, and essential terms. From rent payment schedules to maintenance obligations, each section of the agreement plays a crucial role in defining the tenancy parameters.

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Arizona Apartment Lease Agreement

Adhering to state rental laws is imperative for an Arizona apartment lease agreement to be binding. It must include crucial provisions that delineate the rights and responsibilities of each party and establish a framework for a harmonious tenancy.

Security Deposit 

  • Limit on amount – Landlords cannot demand security deposits and prepaid rent equal to more than one and a half months. Tenants may choose to pay more prepaid rent.   
  • Purpose and refundability – All nonrefundable fees must be designated as such in writing. Fees without this designation are refundable.
  • Deposit return timeline – Within 14 days after tenancy termination, landlords must provide an itemized deduction list and refund balance owed to the tenant, if any. The tenant has 60 days to dispute before losing refund rights.
  • Failure to refund – If landlords don’t follow the 14-day timeline, tenants can recover double the wrongfully withheld deposit amount.  
  • Escalated measures – Security deposit rules don’t prevent landlords or tenants from recovering additional damages if the tenant breaches the tenancy agreement.

Entry Access

  • Reasons for entry – Landlords must give a valid reason before entering the apartment. These can include entry to inspect, make repairs, provide services, show the unit, etc. But they can’t harass tenants by abusing access rights.  
  • Notice requirement – Except in emergencies, landlords must give a two (2) day notice and enter at reasonable times.  
  • Legal recourse – For unlawful entries or harassment from repeated demands, tenants can end leases or seek injunctions and damages.

Pets Policy

  • Permitted pets – Housing agencies can’t prohibit elderly or disabled tenants from having pets in rental units they own/operate.  
  • Removal of nuisance pets – The landlord can require tenants to remove pets that threaten/harm others or violate animal cruelty laws.  
  • Prohibition limits – Leasing agencies and landlords can’t financially prohibit pets with unreasonable deposits over one month’s rent. 
  • Liability – The landlord or housing agency can’t be held liable for pet-inflicted injury unless aware of the animal’s dangerous history and fail to mitigate risks. 
  • Regulations – Reasonable pet number limits, neutering requirements, and other conditions for elderly/disabled tenants with pets are allowed. 
  • Appeals process – Under established grievance procedures, tenants can appeal regulations or conditions. 

Disclosures

In the Grand Canyon State, tenants must be informed before making a rental decision. As such, the following mandated disclosures must be included in an Arizona apartment lease agreement

  • Landlord Contact Information 
  • Rent Increase History  
  • Bed Bug Disclosure
  • Arizona Residential Landlord/Tenant Act 
  • Utility Rates
  • Move-in Checklist
  • Pool Enclosure (If applicable)
  • Non-Refundable Fees
  • Lead-Based Paint (For Units built before 1978)

Here are a few optional disclosures that are recommended to be included in the agreement as well:

  • Smoking
  • Mold Disclosure
  • Late/Returned Check Fees
  • Asbestos
  • Medical Marijuana