questions & answers

Question: My apartment , for the 5th time this year, as left a piece of paper outside my door with an open-ended notice of water being shut off for repairs. After about 5 hours, I've called for an update and they just say they don't know when it will be done. Is it within their rights to leave open-ended notices, not even in person, of utilities being cut? Do i have any rights in this matter as a paying tenant with a 5 month old who works from home?

Answer: A landlord must conduct repairs in a way that is “reasonable.” If a tenant is merely inconvenienced, then there may not be much that the tenant can do. However, if the problem is preventing the tenant from peacefully enjoying the premises that they are renting (and the tenant would be able to demonstrate this to a judge, if required), then they may have a basis for notifying the landlord in writing that if the problem is not fixed, then the tenant will terminate the rental agreement and vacate the premises (A.R.S. 33-1361(A)). If you would like to legal advice, there are links to free and low-cost legal services on this website (at http://www.azlawhelp.org/accessToJustice).