Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

questions & answers

Question: What are my rights as a tenant in an apartment complex, if the property management fails to take care of my rodent issue? I have lived here for 6 months now and the issue has been reoccurring the last month and a half.

Answer: If the rodent issue is an infestation a complaint to the health department will help in addressing this issue. Landlords have a duty to provide and maintain a fit and habitable rental unit. Anytime a landlord fails to provide or maintain a rental the landlord is in violation of the lease and Arizona law. Tenants have three options. 1. If the rodent issue affects health and safety give the landlord written notice of the issue and tell the landlord in your written notice that you plan to terminate the lease and vacate the property after 5 days if the landlord fails to repair or take steps to repair. 2. Give the landlord written notice of the issue and tell the landlord in your written notice that you plan to terminate the lease and vacate the property after 10 days if the landlord fails to repair or take steps to repair. 3. Give the landlord written notice of the issue and tell the landlord in your written notice that you plan repair the issue yourself and deduct the cost from the rent if the landlord fails to repair or take steps to repair. To use this option you must hire a licensed company to remove the rodents, obtain a lien release from the company (e.g. invoice that you have paid bill will work as a lien release).