questions & answers

Question: I signed a lease, gave them $2,500...received keys 4/1/15. Did the walk thru soon after picked upupkeys. the townhouse is filthy. smells sour, mold, cat urine, cigarette smoke. It looks as if previous tenents just movd out the day before. Also has cracked window window andbroken sliding door. What can we do

Answer: Under the landlord/tenant act the landlord is required to "make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit an habitable condition" (ARS 33-1324 A 2)(act can viewed at website of Secretary of State www.azsos.gov). You can send a letter to the landlord specifying the conditions believe or the rental agreement/landlord-tenant act and stating if not remedied within 10 days you will consider the lease terminated (ARS 33-1361 A). If not remedied then you can vacate the premises and consider the lease terminated. Without actually looking at the conditions of the unit I cannot tell you that the situation is serious enough to allow you to terminate the lease.