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Residential Landlord and Tenant Laws
Scope
There are many issues that may lead a landlord or tenant to seek legal information. This guide provides references to some of the statutes and resources that address most common landlord and tenant matters. If you need additional research assistance, reference librarians at the ASU Ross-Blakley Law Library can assist you in identifying information sources to use in finding an answer; we cannot, however, offer legal advice or interpretation of legal information.
If you have a legal matter, speaking to an attorney is advised. A list of local agencies offering legal assistance or providing referrals to attorneys can be found below, often at no or reduced cost to those who qualify.
The Residential Landlord Tenant Act
The Residential Landlord Tenant Act can be found in the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. §§ 33-301 to 33-1381). This act describes many of the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant and remedies.
There are a few ways to locate these statutes:
Online
In Print
- Arizona Revised Statutes Annotated — KFA 2430 1956 .A2
Law Core, Reserve Reading Room, Law State Collection, and Law Reserve.
- Request a free print copy from the Arizona Secretary of State, Public Services Division by calling 602-542-4086
Other Laws
Depending on your situation, there are federal, state and local laws that may apply. Below are a few of the major laws that may affect your housing situation. Other laws can be found by searching the appropriate codes or statutes.
Federal
State
Local
- Tempe City Code
- (Rental Housing Code §§ 21-21 to 21-40 and Fair Housing §§ 22-91 to 22-99)
- Current code only available online.
- Phoenix City Code
- (Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance §§ 39-1 et seq., Fair Housing §§ 18-11 et seq., and Building §§ 9-1 et seq.)
Available in print: KFX2141.P55 A35 2001 Law Reserve
- Scottsdale Revised Code
- (Fair Housing §§ 15-16 et seq. and Buildings and Building Regulations §§ 31-1 et seq.)
Available in print: KFX 2375 S2A35 1987 Law Reserve
Resources on the Web
The links below are a collection of web sites that may help you understand the Residential Landlord Tenant Act and/or other issues pertaining to your situation.
- Overview of Arizona Residential Landlord/Tenant Law, Arizona Supreme Court
- Landlord and Tenant Research Guide, Maricopa County Superior Court Law Library
- Guide to the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Phoenix
- Fair Housing, Landlord/Tenant Resources, Scottsdale, AZ
- Arizona Residential Landlord-Tenant Law, University of Arizona Law Library
- Landlord - Tenant, ASU Student Legal Assistance
- Tenants Rights, Laws and Protections: Arizona, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Housing Topics, Arizona Law Help
- Landlords & Property Management, Nolo
- Renter's Rights, Nolo
Resources at the Ross-Blakley Law Library
The following are books available at the ASU Law Library. These books tend to be more comprehensive than the websites and contain more sample forms. Some of the books are available in print, and some are electronic books available through ebrary to library users and ASU students, faculty, and staff.
Arizona
- Arizona Civil Remedies (2d ed. 2003)
- edited by Marilee Miller Clarke:
- KFA2947 .A95 2003
- Arizona Landlord's Deskbook (4th ed. 2002)
- by Carlton C. Casler:
- KFA2517.Z9 C37 2002
- Arizona Rental Rights: A Guide for Tenants, Landlords, and Mobile Home Users (4th ed. 2000)
- by David A. Peterson & Andrew M. Hull:
- KFA2517.Z9 P47 2000
General
- Every Landlord's Legal Guide
- by Marcia Stewart, Ralph Warner & Janet Portman:
- KF590.Z9 S74 2003 (6th ed. 2003)
- electronic book (8th ed. 2006)
- Every Tenant's Legal Guide (5th ed. 2007)
- by Janet Portman & Marcia Stewart:
- KF590.Z9 P67 2007
- electronic book
- Landlord and Tenant Law (4th ed. 2000)
- by Margaret Wilkie & Godfrey Cole:
- electronic book
- Landlord and Tenant Law in a Nutshell (4th ed. 2004)
- by David S. Hill:
- KF590.Z9 H45 2004
- Leases and Rental Agreements (6th ed. 2005)
- by Marcia Stewart, Ralph Warner & Janet Portman:
- electronic book
- Renters' Rights: The Basics
- by Janet Portman & Marcia Stewart:
- KF590.Z9 P673 2000 (2d ed. 2000)
- electronic book (5th ed. 2007)
Some of the resources may be found at a library near you
Most libraries have resources related to landlord and tenant law. If you are unable to visit the ASU law library, check your local library's catalog or contact a reference librarian at that library to find out if they have what you are looking for. Note: Call numbers that are provided above refer to locations at the Arizona State University Law Library and may not correspond with the call number at another library.
Need Advice?
The following organizations may provide assistance in handling a landlord and tenant dispute. If you do not qualify for their services or have a more complex situation, you may consider finding an attorney through the lawyer referral service.
- Maricopa County, Community Legal Services
- Community Legal Services provides civil legal services to applicants whose income is near poverty level.
- Arizona Fair Housing Center
- The center provides fair housing education and outreach including counseling and consultations. It also investigates housing discrimination complaints. This group does not provide legal representation in court.
- Phoenix Housing Counseling
- Housing Counseling provides help to residents who are tenants by counseling them on their rights and responsibilities. All services of the program are free.
- Maricopa County Bar Lawyer Referral Service
- Schedule a 30-minute consultation with an attorney for a $35 referral fee.
Updated 12/07. Friendly URL: http://www.law.asu.edu/Residential.
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