Arizona Room Rental Agreement

Legal Aspects

A room rental contract is necessary when a lessor rents out a room in their home or a shared house to a tenant. It’s different from a roommate agreement, a contract between two tenants, and mostly informal. This contract is a legally enforceable document between landlords and lessees. It outlines all of the terms for the lessee renting a singular room in the landlord’s house.

However, since the tenant doesn’t have sole access to the property and is living with either the landlord or other lessees, you must include some legal aspects. House rules are often part of the agreement, and there are restrictions a common rental document might not have.

Access to the Room

• Once both parties sign the rental agreement, the tenant gains legal “possession” of the room for the contract’s duration. As such, the landlord can only enter for specific purposes, like maintenance, inspections, and repairs. They also must provide at least two (2) days’ notice and gain the lessee’s consent.
• Lessees can’t unreasonably refuse a landlord’s request to enter. However, landlords can’t use it to harass the lessee and must enter at reasonable hours.
• The only exception is with emergencies, where the lessor can enter without notice or consent.
• The lease determines the tenant’s access to common areas in the house. Some have severely restricted access, with the lessee only accessing their room, the bathroom, and maybe the kitchen. Others get full access to common areas, provided they respect the other occupants.

Guest & Pets Policy

• Landlords have no right to enforce a “No Guests” policy, as tenants have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their rooms. However, the landlord can impose restrictions.
• Arizona laws state that guests staying longer than 29 days become tenants. If the guest is family or has a temporary purpose like medical treatment, they can stay up to 59 days without becoming a tenant. Lessors can add clauses restricting how long an overnight guest can stay to try and prevent this.
• Pets are more ambiguous, as it’s fully within the landlord’s right to ban pets. Ultimately, approving pets is up to the lessor and can have limitations even if approved.
• Lessors can require pet deposits and implement guidelines for tenants with animals.
• The only exception is service animals, which landlords must accommodate without pet deposits or fees.

Security Deposit Regulations

• Security deposits have a maximum limit of one and a half months’ rent.
• Lessors don’t need to bear interest in this amount, hold it separate from other funds, or provide a receipt.
• A lessor has 14 days to return the security deposit. They must also provide a return letter listing any deductions and their reason.