Arizona Landlord-Tenant Attorneys
Leases are an everyday part of life in Arizona. Although the landlord-tenant relationship begins and ends without incident for many people and businesses, that is not always the case. Some disputes can be resolved quickly, while others involve more complex legal circumstances. Whatever your situation, you will benefit from the legal advice and representation only Arizona landlord-tenant attorneys at Provident Law® can offer you.
Understanding Landlord-Tenant Law in Arizona
Arizona law provides for two basic sources of law in residential landlord-tenant matters. First, the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act is found at Arizona Revised Statutes §§33-1301 et seq. Second, the Arizona Mobile Home Residential Landlord and Tenant Act is found at Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 33-1401 et seq.
We are well-versed in handling cases under Arizona’s residential landlord and tenant acts. We also have worked with various business and commercial leases representing landlords and tenants. From drafting leases to providing diligent legal representation for landlords and tenants involved in lease disputes and other contested matters, we have the necessary experience and skills.
Our real estate attorneys have over 150 years combined legal experience in the field. They have reviewed, drafted, and litigated thousands of leases. Furthermore, one of our landlord-tenant attorneys, Mary T. Hone, wrote the landlord-tenant chapter in the most recently published version of Arizona Civil Remedies, an Arizona legal reference book used by attorneys and law schools across the state. And one of our real estate specialists, Christopher J. Charles, co-authored the Residential Eviction Jury Instructions for the State Bar of Arizona.
Assisting You in Drafting and Negotiating Leases
When you sign a lease, you enter into a contract with legal consequences. Leases often have relatively lengthy terms, so you must know your legal rights and responsibilities under a lease before signing it. For instance, you should always be aware of the following issues when reviewing a lease:
- How much rent is the tenant to pay? Who is responsible for paying for utilities and other expenses for the space?
- Who is responsible for maintenance?
- When may a landlord enter the property, and what notice is required?
- What if ownership of the property changes hands? How will the change affect the lease terms?
- What are the consequences if either party breaks the lease?
- Does the lease prescribe how parties resolve disputes or the forum in which disputes are to be resolved?
- Is a party subject to additional penalties for breaching the lease?
- What happens if a natural disaster affects the habitability of the rental?
Our landlord-tenant law attorneys can assist you in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating residential and commercial leases. We can help clarify any ambiguities, explain various lease terms and provisions, and ensure that you understand all potential consequences of signing the lease. We also will suggest any modifications to the lease that are necessary to protect your interests and prevent future legal disputes.
When a lease expires, whether you are the landlord or the tenant, you must decide whether to renew the lease. If both parties choose to renew the lease, you must consider various factors in determining whether any existing lease terms should change. For instance, you must consider whether rent or utility payments will increase, whether a different lease term is appropriate, or if other provisions have become unreasonable. In this respect, lease renewals may require drafting and negotiations, much like initial leases.
Representing Your Interests in Residential and Commercial Lease Disputes
We handle all lease disputes and related matters, such as:
- Failure or refusal to return security deposits;
- Breaking leases early;
- Issues related to habitability, maintenance, and the condition of the property;
- Forcible detainer and eviction matters;
- Wrongful withholding of tenant property;
- Fair housing and housing-related discrimination claims based on protected characteristics under the federal Fair Housing Act or similar state laws or local ordinances;
- Disputes involving condo or homeowner associations (HOA); and
- Non-payment issues.
Our Arizona landlord-tenant attorneys work tor resolve landlord-tenant disputes as efficiently and effectively as possible. We strive to reach the solutions that will best benefit you and reach your desired goals, often looking to available forms of alternative dispute resolution to keep costs low. However, if a dispute cannot be resolved informally, we will aggressively represent your interests through litigation in the courtroom setting.
Providing the Full Range of Legal Representation in Landlord-Tenant Law Matters
Landlords often encounter legal issues that are tangentially related to their rental property. You may need assistance setting up a business entity for your rental property holding, which can protect your personal assets from legal liability in many cases. For instance, if someone is injured on your rental property, you could face liability in a personal injury lawsuit, particularly if the injury allegedly results from the property’s condition.
You also may be interested in how to handle your rental properties for the purposes of estate planning and/or the threat of a future divorce. If you operate a significant rental property business, then you should engage in succession planning to ensure that your business either continues or is wrapped up in a manner that is to your satisfaction.
As a full-service law firm, the attorneys at Provident Law can assist you in handling your business and estate planning issues and basic landlord-tenant matters. We provide the full range of legal advice and representation for landlords to ensure you have the full benefit of the protections you need.
Questions About Your Rights Under Landlord-Tenant Law? Contact Our Attorney Today.
We know that you have many options when choosing a lawyer. We are here to listen to the legal problems that you are having and help you find the solution that best meets your needs. The Arizona landlord-tenant law attorneys at Provident Law have decades of experience handling cases like yours. We have the skills and knowledge you can count on when facing landlord-tenant law issues.
Whether you are a tenant trying to break your lease or a landlord with a difficult tenant, our law office has the experience necessary to help protect your rights. Contact Provident Law® online or call (480) 388-3343 today to learn more about our legal services.