Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

questions & answers

Question: Is it required by Arizona state law that a home must have a working cooling system if it is being rented? Also is it requires that a landlord must have a full septic tank pumped before renting a home out?

Answer: As to the cooling system, the answer is yes. Landlords are required to kept all rentals in fit and habitable condition. That means keeping all air conditioning in good and safe working order. If also means keeping all plumbing in good and safe working order. If the septic tank is full and therefore the plumbing is not working, or if the air conditioning is not working, the tenant has a right to provide the landlord with notice of the material noncompliance and potentially terminate the lease and recover damages. If you are a tenant, you will want to speak with your nearest legal services provider or speak with the modest means project attorneys to see whether one or the other can help you. If you are a homeowner, you may want to review the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant act and speak with the modest means project or the local county bar for attorney assistance.