The rental market in Arizona has changed a lot in the past few years. Both renters and owners need to know the rules about raising rents in 2024.
As rent prices continue to rise in Arizona’s big cities, like Phoenix and Tucson, renters may be wondering how much their rent can go up and what rights they have under Arizona law. Here is what all Arizona renters need to know about the 2024 rent increase rules.
No Statewide Rent Control
While some states have strict rules about rent control, Arizona does not have any kind of rent control. This means that once a lease is over, there are no state-wide limits on how much an owner can raise the rent.
But state law says that rent rises must follow certain rules, and landlords can not just raise rent in the middle of a lease term unless certain conditions are met.
Notice Requirements for Rent Increases
The Arizona law that says rent increases must be announced in writing is one of the most important protections for renters. The rent can not go up overnight or without any notice from the owner. In 2024, landlords will have to give written notice of any rent hikes:
For month-to-month deals, you need to give 30 days’ written notice.
For leases that are longer than one month, landlords can not raise rent until the end of the lease term, unless the lease deal lets them do so during the term.
Renters should carefully read their leases to make sure they understand what happens when the rent goes up. If the landlord does not give the tenant enough notice, the tenant may be able to fight the price rise in court.
No Mid-Lease Rent Increases (Unless Specified)
Arizona law says that rent can not go up during the time of the lease, unless the lease says otherwise. With a fixed-term lease, the rent stays the same for the whole length of the lease, which is good for renters’ finances.
If a lease says that the rent could go up during the term, the renters need to know about it and talk about the terms before signing.
How Much Can Rent Increase?
Arizona does not have rent control, but managers usually raise rent based on the cost of living, improvements to the property, and market demand.
In cities like Phoenix that are growing quickly, rents have gone up more recently because of a strong housing market and more people wanting to rent homes.
Rent increases can be as little as 1% or as much as 1% of the rent, but owners still have to follow fair housing laws.
They can not raise rent to get back at a renter for complaining about unsafe conditions or because of their race, gender, family status, or anything else that might be seen as unfair.
Rent Increase Protections for Mobile Home Tenants
Arizona law gives renters of mobile homes a few extra benefits. Some rules apply to rent raises in mobile home parks. For example, landlords must give 90 days’ notice before raising rent.
A lot of people who live in mobile home parks also have long-term leases, which can help make rent increases more predictable.
What Tenants Can Do if Rent Increases are Unmanageable
There are a few things tenants can do if a rent rise makes it hard for them to pay their rent:
Talk to the owner about it. Some landlords may be willing to work with you, especially if you have been a good renter in the past and paid on time.
Look for renting assistance programs. Arizona has programs that can help low-income renters deal with rising rent prices.
People who are having a hard time with money may be able to get help from programs like the Arizona Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
Get Legal Help: Tenants who think their rent increase goes against Arizona law or their lease agreement can get help from renter advocacy groups or talk to a lawyer who specializes in landlord-tenant disputes.
Summary of Key Points for Tenants in 2024
No rent control: Arizona does not put a cap on how much rent can go up.
For month-to-month leases, landlords must give 30 days’ notice. For longer leases, they must wait until the end of the lease term.
No rent increases in the middle of the lease: Rent cannot go up during the lease unless the lease deal says so.
Tenants of mobile homes: have extra protections, such as 90 days’ notice for rent hikes.
Options for tenants: tenants can talk to their owners about lowering the rent, get help with the rent, or hire a lawyer if the increase seems illegal.
Conclusion
There are some protections for tenants in Arizona’s rental rules, but rent increases can happen if the market calls for it.
If you know your rights as a tenant and understand the rules of your lease, you will not be surprised when your rent goes up. As Arizona’s rental market changes, it is important to know the newest rules in 2024 so you can make smart housing choices.
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