questions & answers

Question: Can a landlord/Rental agent charge the tenant to complete AZ Form 201-Renter’s certificate of Properties Tax Paid. I rent through a Group, Inc. and was told that Inwould have to pay $50 for this form. I renew my lease on a yearly basis (this being my fourth year), and I just paid a $50 fee for their annual residency review. I found out about this form yesterday when having my taxes prepared by XXX. I never knew about it before, and XXXX has never offered it with each lease renewal.

Answer: As a general rule, a landlord may charge any fee so long as that fee is not unlawful (and therefore reasonable) and so long as the tenant had advance notice of the fee before choosing to enter into or renew a rental agreement. A fee may not be added by a landlord during the course of an existing tenancy without the express permission of the tenant.