Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Arizona: What Can I Do?
Arizona law sets rules for what your landlord must fix and keep working in your home. This page explains those rules and how to ask for repairs in writing. It also covers what you can do if your landlord does not fix a health or safety problem.
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Arizona law requires your landlord to follow local building codes that seriously affect health and safety. Your landlord must also make all repairs needed to keep your home fit to live in.
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Your landlord must keep the plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems in good working order. Your landlord must also keep shared spaces clean and safe, and provide a way to remove trash.
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Your landlord must supply running water and enough hot water at all times. Your landlord must also supply reasonable heat and air conditioning if the building has these systems and the weather calls for it. This does not apply if the law does not require the building to have these systems. It also does not apply if your unit is built so you control your own heat, air conditioning or hot water. That must run through your own utility (water, electric, gas) connection.
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To ask for a repair for a problem that seriously affects your health or safety, write your landlord a notice. Describe exactly what is wrong. Under Arizona's fit-to-live-in law, this notice starts a 5-day clock, counted from when your landlord receives it, for your landlord to fix the problem.
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Keep a copy of every written notice you send your landlord, and take photos of the problem. This can help you later if you have to go to court.
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Your lease ends and you must move out if your landlord misses the fix-it date in your notice. That notice must be about a problem that seriously affects your health or safety. This is risky: you give up your home and must find a new place to live. Your lease will not end if your landlord fixes it in time, or if you, a family member, or a guest caused the problem.
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You do not have to end your lease to get your landlord to fix a health or safety problem in your home. Arizona law lets you sue your landlord for money and ask a court to order the repairs. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays. You can use this option even if you have not sent the notice that could end your lease.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If your home has a serious safety problem, a city or county code inspector can check it. Talk to a legal aid group first. If an inspector finds your home unsafe, the city can condemn it (order everyone to leave right away), even if you want to stay.
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If your landlord fails to supply required water, heat, gas, electric service, air conditioning or cooling, first give reasonable notice describing the problem. Then you can buy those utilities (water, electric, gas) or services yourself for as long as the problem lasts. You can take the actual, reasonable cost off your rent. This is risky: if your landlord disagrees with the cost, you could end up in a dispute over unpaid rent.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If your landlord fails to supply required water, heat, gas, electric service, air conditioning or cooling, first give reasonable notice describing the problem. You can then sue your landlord for money. The amount is based on how much less your home was worth while the problem lasted. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If your landlord does not supply required water, heat, gas, electric service, air conditioning or cooling, you can move to temporary substitute housing. You do not have to pay rent while you are there. If the substitute housing costs more than your rent, you can get back up to 25% of the skipped rent. On a $1,000 rent, 25% is $250: that is the most extra money you could get back to cover the higher cost. This is risky: you must pay for the substitute housing yourself first and prove what you paid.
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You must give your landlord notice first. Only then can you use your rights under Arizona's rules for a failure to supply water, heat, gas, electric service, air conditioning, or cooling. None of these rights apply if you, a family member, or a guest caused the problem.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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