questions & answers

Question: Last night the maintenance manger at my complex threatened to call the police if I didn't leave. I haven't been officially evicted yet, but he assumed I was since my family removed my belongings. Did he violate my rights under the "self help" measure?

Answer: Under the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord may not unlawfully remove or exclude a tenant from the premises (for example, by changing the locks) or willfully shut off or reduce a tenant’s access to utilities until after the tenant has been formally evicted by a judge and a writ of restitution has been issued (A.R.S. 33-1367). It is difficult to say whether a verbal threat against the tenant would constitute a violation of A.R.S. 33-1367 without knowing all the details. If you would like to discuss your specific situation with an attorney, there are links to free and low-cost legal services on this website (at http://www.azlawhelp.org/accessToJustice).