Arizona Landlord Responsibilities for Habitability

Arizona Landlord Responsibilities for Habitability

Last Updated: February 10, 2023

Arizona legally requires landlords to meet certain “habitability” requirements for all rental properties. This means that they’re responsible for providing a property that meets specific health and safety standards and for fixing issues that violate them.

Arizona Implied Warranty of Habitability

In Arizona, the implied warranty of habitability means that a landlord must provide and maintain a safe and habitable rental property. “Implied” means the requirement applies whether or not the lease agreement specifically says so and even if the lease tries to waive the obligation.

Examples of clear habitability violations include:

  • Exposed electrical wiring.
  • A pipe leaking human waste.
  • A broken front doorknob that won’t lock.

      However, the implied warranty of habitability does not guarantee that anything at the property will be pretty, clean, new or issue-free, so it doesn’t cover things like peeling carpet or dents in a wall. It only guarantees basic health and safety.

      Landlord Responsibilities in Arizona

      Note: Check local city/county laws and ordinances for additional requirements. In Arizona, landlord and tenant can make a special written agreement for the tenant to repair issues that don’t affect health and safety or basic habitability. Check the lease carefully.

      Item Has To Provide? Has To Fix / Replace?
      Air Conditioning / Heating Yes (seasonally) Yes
      Hot Water Yes Yes
      Kitchen Appliances No Yes
      Washer & Dryer No Yes
      Smoke/CO Detectors Smoke Only Yes
      Window Coverings No No
      Light Fixtures No Only If Provided
      Landscaping No No
      Garbage Removal Yes Yes
      Garbage Pickup Yes Yes
      Mold N/A Yes
      Pest Control No N/A
      Pest Infestations N/A Yes
      Water Leaks N/A Usually
      Clogs N/A Usually

      Landlord Responsibilities for Heating & Air Conditioning in Arizona

      Arizona landlords are responsible for providing heating and cooling as required by seasonal weather conditions, and keeping these features in good working order.

      Are Landlords Required to Provide Air Filter Replacements in Arizona?

      Arizona landlords don’t have to replace things like air filters, unless required heating or cooling equipment won’t work otherwise.

      Landlord Responsibilities for Plumbing in Arizona

      Arizona landlords must keep plumbing in reasonable working condition.

      Are Landlords Required To Provide Hot Water in Arizona?

      Arizona landlords must provide and maintain running heated water for rental properties.

      Are Landlords Responsible for Fixing Clogged Drains & Toilets in Arizona?

      Arizona landlords must fix clogs that keep the plumbing from being in reasonable working condition, unless they’re the renter’s fault.

      Are Landlords in Arizona Responsible for Fixing Leaks?

      Arizona landlords must fix leaks that keep the plumbing from being in reasonable working condition, unless they’re the renter’s fault.

      Landlord Responsibilities for Kitchen Appliances in Arizona

      Arizona landlords don’t have to provide or maintain kitchen appliances such as a dishwasher, stove, oven, microwave, or refrigerator. However, if provided, the landlord has to keep them in reasonable working order.

      Landlord Responsibilities for Electrical Issues in Arizona

      Arizona landlords must maintain electrical facilities and appliances on the rental premises.

      Are Landlords Responsible for Replacing Light Bulbs in Arizona?

      Arizona landlords are not responsible for providing or replacing light bulbs or particular light fixtures.

      Landlord Responsibilities for Garbage Removal in Arizona

      Arizona landlords must provide and maintain garbage containers, and arrange for garbage removal.

      Landlord Responsibilities for Landscaping in Arizona

      Arizona landlords have no specific obligation to provide landscaping or maintain it with actions like cutting grass. They only have to deal with issues like fallen trees if they interfere with the cleanliness of common areas, violate local codes, or create a hazard to health and safety.

      Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Mold in Arizona

      Arizona landlords are responsible for most mold issues. While there’s no state requirement for testing, landlords must investigate and fix mold problems since they threaten health and safety. If the renter caused the mold issue, a landlord can make the renter fix it, or pay for repairs.

      Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Pests in Arizona

      Arizona landlords must fix pest issues the renter didn’t cause, including rats, roaches, mice, bed bugs, and ants.

      While there’s no requirement for regular testing, Arizona does have special requirements relating to bed bugs. Landlords must give tenants an information package about treatment, and tenants must take extra precautions with their personal goods if they discover an infestation.

      Landlord Responsibilities for Windows & Window Coverings in Arizona

      Arizona landlords must have no responsibility to provide or maintain windows and window coverings to a particular legal standard. Broken windows threaten health and safety, so the landlord has to fix them if the renter didn’t cause the issue.

      Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Safety Devices in Arizona

      Arizona landlords must ensure required smoke detectors are installed at the beginning of a tenancy, and repair or replace them upon request by the tenant.

      Are Landlords Responsible for Replacing Batteries of Safety Devices in Arizona?

      Arizona landlords are generally not responsible for replacing batteries of safety devices. While the tenant can specially request repair and replacement, day-to-day maintenance of safety devices like smoke detectors is normally the tenant’s responsibility.

      Landlord Responsibilities for Doors & Locks in Arizona

      Arizona landlords must, upon request, replace or rekey the locks of a tenant who’s a victim of domestic or sexual assault. The tenant pays the relevant expenses. The landlord doesn’t have other specific responsibilities for doors and locks except what’s required for basic health and safety.

      Landlord Responsibilities for Washers and Dryers in Arizona

      Landlords in Arizona are not responsible for providing or maintaining a washer or dryer. However, if provided, the landlord must keep them in working order.

      Renter’s Rights for Repairs in Arizona

      Renters in Arizona have the right to repairs for issues that affect health and safety, unless they caused the issue themselves. To exercise this right, the renter must start by requesting repairs from the landlord in writing.

      After written notice, the landlord gets 10 days to fix the issue (or 5 days, for issues affecting health and safety). If the issue isn’t fixed, the renter can end the rental agreement, ask a court to order repairs or compensation, or repair and deduct. Rent withholding usually isn’t allowed.

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