Arizona Rent Increase Laws 2024: Key Facts for Tenants. The rental market in Arizona has changed dramatically over the past couple of years. Be aware of what rules exist for rent increases for both renters and owners for 2024.
With Arizona’s big cities, like Phoenix and Tucson, having continued increases in rent, many renters are wondering just how much their rent can increase and what rights they have under Arizona law. Here’s 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 most important protection granted to renters is the Arizona law, which states that no rent increase can be declared without a written notice of it. The rent shall not increase overnight or else without any notice from the owner. In 2024, landlords will require a written notice for each rent hike:
For month-to-month deals, you need to give 30 days’ written notice.
For leases that exceed one month, landlords can not increase rent until the end of the lease term unless the lease deal allows them to 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 states that rent cannot increase during the term of the lease, unless the lease states otherwise. A fixed-term lease has the same rent for the entire duration of the lease, which is beneficial to the finances of the renters.
If a lease states that the rent may increase during the term, then the renters must be informed and discuss the terms before signing.
How much will rents rise?
Arizona does not have rent control, but managers usually increase rent according to the rising cost of living, improvements made in the property, and based on the demand in the market.
In cities such as Phoenix that are growing so fast, rents have more recently gone up due to a robust housing market as more people are looking to rent their homes.
They may be as low as 1% or as high as 1% of the rent, but owners still must comply with fair housing laws.
They can’t raise rent to retaliate against a renter for complaining about unsafe conditions or because of race, gender, family status, or anything else that may be viewed as unfair.
Rent Increase Protections for Mobile Home Tenants
Arizona law provides mobile home tenants with a few additional benefits. Some rules apply to mobile home park rent increases. For instance, landlords must give 90 days’ notice before raising rent.
Many renters in mobile home parks have long-term leases, which can often make rent increases more predictable.
What Tenants Can Do if Rent Increases Are Unaffordable
If the increase in rent would be unbearable for tenants, here are some things they could do:
Discuss it with the owner. Some owners will be more than willing to negotiate, especially if you are a responsible renter and always pay your rent on time.
Find assistance for renters. There are programs within Arizona that assist low-income renters who have difficulty paying rising rents.
They might be able to get help from programs like the Arizona Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) if they are having a hard time with money.
Get Legal Help: Tenants can get help from renter advocacy groups or talk to a lawyer who specializes in landlord-tenant disputes if they believe that the rent increase is against the Arizona law or their lease agreement.
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 middle-of-the-lease rent increases: Rent cannot go up during the lease unless the lease deal says so.
Tenants of mobile homes: are offered added safeguards, including 90 days advance notice for rent raises.
Choices for tenants: tenants can discuss their situation with their landlords and appeal the rent increase or even find a lawyer if it is deemed illegal.
Conclusion
There are some rights that tenants have under Arizona’s rental laws but it remains a possibility to increase rents since what dictates rents is the market forces.
Knowing your rights as a tenant and the rules of your lease can make you less shocked when rent goes up. As the rental market continues to evolve in Arizona, it’s time to get familiar with the new rules in 2024 and make the best decisions on housing.