questions & answers

Question: I received a certified letter from my landlord that I have to vacate the property in 30 days. However this is not enough time for me and my kids to find a new place to live. Do I legally have to vacate in that amount of time or is she just making sure to start the process in notifying me? I'm afraid I might end up homeless, losing all my belongings, and be escorted out by the police.

Answer: Under the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ARLTA), a month-to-month rental agreement may be terminated by the landlord with 30 days’ advance written notice (A.R.S. 33-1375(B)). The same rule applies to a year-long lease that is set to expire. If rent is paid on the first of each month, then the end of the 30-day period must fall at the end of the following month, so, for example, if a landlord gives a tenant written notice on February 15th, then the rental agreement should end on March 31st (the end of the following month), not on March 15th.