Arizona · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Arizona tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Arizona must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

The landlord must follow building codes affecting health and safety, make all repairs needed to keep the unit fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep electrical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and appliances working, provide trash containers, and supply running water, hot water, reasonable heat, and air-conditioning or cooling where installed.

Repair and deduct
Allowed (with conditions)
Withholding rent
Not allowed
Notice before entry
2 days

Repairs in Arizona

The landlord's duty
The landlord must follow building codes affecting health and safety, make all repairs needed to keep the unit fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep electrical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and appliances working, provide trash containers, and supply running water, hot water, reasonable heat, and air-conditioning or cooling where installed. A.R.S. § 33-1324.
How to ask for repairs
Give written notice describing the problem. For major problems, a written notice can say the lease ends in 10 days if not fixed (5 days for health-and-safety problems) under § 33-1361. For repair-and-deduct, the landlord has 10 days after written notice.
Repair and deduct
Yes, for minor defects. If the fix costs less than $300 or half a month's rent (whichever is greater), give the landlord written notice. If the landlord does not fix it within 10 days (sooner in an emergency), you may have a licensed contractor do the work, give the landlord an itemized statement and a lien waiver, and deduct the actual reasonable cost from rent. The problem must affect fitness and habitability. A.R.S. § 33-1363. For failed water, gas, electricity, hot water, heat, or air-conditioning, after notice you may buy the service and deduct the cost, or pay the landlord's delinquent utility bill and deduct it (§ 33-1364).
Withholding rent
Not allowed except as the Act authorizes (repair-and-deduct, essential services). A.R.S. § 33-1368(B). For essential service failures you may also move to substitute housing and stop paying rent during the outage (§ 33-1364).
Law
A.R.S. §§ 33-1324, 33-1361, 33-1363, 33-1364

Landlord entry in Arizona

At least 2 days' notice, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. If you ask for a repair, your request counts as permission to enter to do that repair without a separate notice. A.R.S. § 33-1343.

Retaliation in Arizona

The landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or file or threaten eviction because you complained to a code agency, complained to the landlord about repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation (not if you complained after getting a termination notice). Remedies: a defense to eviction plus up to two months' rent or twice actual damages. The landlord can still evict for unpaid rent. A.R.S. § 33-1381.

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In Arizona: Give written notice describing the problem.
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

Repair request letter for Arizona

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Arizona's rule on asking for repairs:Give written notice describing the problem. For major problems, a written notice can say the lease ends in 10 days if not fixed (5 days for health-and-safety problems) under § 33-1361. For repair-and-deduct, the landlord has 10 days after written notice.

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Arizona

Questions about repairs in Arizona

How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Arizona?

Give written notice describing the problem. For major problems, a written notice can say the lease ends in 10 days if not fixed (5 days for health-and-safety problems) under § 33-1361. For repair-and-deduct, the landlord has 10 days after written notice.

Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Arizona?

Yes, for minor defects. If the fix costs less than $300 or half a month's rent (whichever is greater), give the landlord written notice. If the landlord does not fix it within 10 days (sooner in an emergency), you may have a licensed contractor do the work, give the landlord an itemized statement and a lien waiver, and deduct the actual reasonable cost from rent. The problem must affect fitness and habitability. A.R.S. § 33-1363. For failed water, gas, electricity, hot water, heat, or air-conditioning, after notice you may buy the service and deduct the cost, or pay the landlord's delinquent utility bill and deduct it (§ 33-1364).

Can I withhold rent for repairs in Arizona?

Not allowed except as the Act authorizes (repair-and-deduct, essential services). A.R.S. § 33-1368(B). For essential service failures you may also move to substitute housing and stop paying rent during the outage (§ 33-1364).

How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Arizona?

At least 2 days' notice, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. If you ask for a repair, your request counts as permission to enter to do that repair without a separate notice. A.R.S. § 33-1343.

Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Arizona?

The landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or file or threaten eviction because you complained to a code agency, complained to the landlord about repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation (not if you complained after getting a termination notice). Remedies: a defense to eviction plus up to two months' rent or twice actual damages. The landlord can still evict for unpaid rent. A.R.S. § 33-1381.

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.