questions & answers

Question: Since July we have had a scorpion problem. We have continuously notified the office by letter each time we find a scorpion, we have even brought some into the office. The manager agreed to let us break our lease without payment on our behalf with a 30 day notice. 5 days after the agreement was made that manager had been let go and a new manager took over who had no idea about the agreement. Now they are saying the old manager did not take the proper steps to let us break our lease and refuses now to let us leave. We have 3 children under 8,I am pregnant and my husband was stung. What now?

Answer: A.R.S. 33-1324 requires a landlord to ensure a fit and habitable property. If the landlord fails to do so, a tenant can give a written five day notice to the landlord stating the problem and informing the landlord of the intent to terminate the rental agreement if the situation is not remedied (A.R.S. 33-1361A). If the landlord does not remedy the situation within five days of receiving the notice, the tenant can terminate the lease and possibly seek money damages from the landlord (A.R.S. 33-1361).