Rent Increases in Arizona: What Are My Rights?

How much notice you get

1. 1

   If your lease does not set an end date, Arizona law treats it as a month-to-month rental. Arizona law calls you a "roomer" if your unit has no full bathroom or kitchen of its own. You share one with people in other units. If you are a roomer and pay rent every week, it is a week-to-week rental instead.

   Sources:

   1. § 33-1310(14), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
   2. § 33-1314(D), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
2. 2

   Your rent is a term of your lease. Arizona law lets you and your landlord agree on rent, how long your lease lasts, and other terms when you sign it.

   Source:

   1. § 33-1314(A), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
3. 3

   Check whether your lease allows a rent increase before it ends. If it does not, tell your landlord in writing that you do not agree to an early increase.

   Source:

   1. Our editorial rules.

Check the new rent

4. 4

   If you and your landlord never agreed on a rent amount, Arizona law says you owe the fair rental value for using your home.

   Source:

   1. § 33-1314(B), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
5. 5

   Arizona state law bans cities and towns from limiting how much your landlord can raise your rent. No city or town rent control rule can apply to your rental home.

   Source:

   1. § 33-1329(A), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
6. 6

   Housing owned, financed, insured, or paid for by a city, town, or state housing program is different. That government can set rent limits for it.

   Source:

   1. § 33-1329(B), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
7. 7

   Write down the date you received the rent increase and keep a copy of the notice. If you already complained about a repair problem, keep copies of that complaint too.

   Source:

   1. Our editorial rules.

If the increase is not allowed

8. 8

   Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for a complaint. This is true if you told a government office about a building code problem. The problem must be one that seriously affects your health or safety.

   Source:

   1. § 33-1381(A), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
9. 9

   Arizona law bans a rent increase that punishes you for telling your landlord your home is not fit to live in.

   Sources:

   1. § 33-1381(A), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
   2. § 33-1324(A), Arizona Legislature. Law.
10. 10

    Arizona law bans a rent increase that punishes you for organizing or joining a tenants' group.

    Source:

    1. § 33-1381(A), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
11. 11

    Say that in the last 6 months you complained to a code agency or to your landlord. The complaint must be about a problem that seriously affects health or safety, or about required repairs. Arizona law then assumes a later rent increase was to punish you, unless your landlord shows otherwise. That assumption does not apply if you complained after your landlord already gave notice ending your lease.

    Sources:

    1. § 33-1381(B), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
    2. § 33-1324(A)(1)-(2), Arizona Legislature. Law.
12. 12

    The rule against rent increases to punish you has a limit. Your landlord can still evict you if the problem came mainly from a lack of reasonable care. That means care by you, someone in your household, or a guest you allowed.

    Source:

    1. § 33-1381(C), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
13. 13

    Even if a rent increase looks like punishment for a complaint, your landlord can still evict you if you are behind on your rent.

    Source:

    1. § 33-1381(C), Arizona State Legislature. Law.
14. 14

    If your landlord raised your rent to punish you and later tries to evict you, you can use that as a defense in court.

    Source:

    1. § 33-1381(B), Arizona State Legislature. Law.