questions & answers

Question: I moved in to a rental in a vacation village in October before the cold weather hit. I signed a year lease with a property manager. The home is so poorly insulated that it cannot maintain heat. The cold air seeps through the floors and walls and I cannot keep warm. The electric is constantly running and it is costing me over 200.00 per month to heat 389 sq. ft. I also have health issues that are exacerbated by the cold. I do not feel this home is meant to be a full time residence. For health reasons, I cannot stay here. Do I have recourse to break my lease?

Answer: Your landlord must provide heat. You should give the landlord a written notice to fix the heater or you will move out. If they don't fix it to provide adequate heat in 10 days, you can break the lease and move out. You can refer to Arizona Revised Statutes Sec. 33-1324.You can also sue the landlord in small claims court for the rent you paid for an unfit place and for the money you had to pay for the electricity. Good luck!