Strong tenant protections
Breaking a lease in Arizona
The mitigation question
Good news
Your landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent — you owe the gap, not the whole remainder. Yes — Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1370 (landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent)
Your protected exits
- Military. SCRA baseline (50 U.S.C. § 3955); no broader state extension found Guide →
- Domestic violence. Victim of domestic violence (as defined in §13-3601) or victim of sexual assault in the dwelling (§13-1406) may terminate without penalty. Written notice requesting release on a mutually agreed date within the next 30… Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1318 Guide →
- Uninhabitable conditions. Material noncompliance by landlord with rental agreement or with §33-1324 (health/safety): written notice specifying breach; lease terminates on a date not less than 10 days after receipt if not remedied in 10 days — or…
- Law enforcement officer protected by an injunction against harassment (A.R.S. § 33-1318.01)
- Fire/casualty substantially impairing enjoyment (A.R.S. § 33-1366)
- Unlawful ouster or willful interruption of essential services (A.R.S. § 33-1367)
- Landlord harassment via unlawful/repeated entry (A.R.S. § 33-1376)
Notice periods
| Situation | Rule |
|---|
| Dv | Written notice with mutually-agreed release date within 30 days; incident within 30 days before notice (A.R.S. § 33-1318) |
| Habitability | Written notice; 10 days to cure, or 5 days for health/safety noncompliance (A.R.S. § 33-1361) |
| Military | 30 days after next rent due date (SCRA) |
Early-termination fees
Reported (confirm with a licensed attorney): No statutory cap found — flat early-termination fees enforceable only as reasonable liquidated damages under general contract law
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Not legal advice. This page is general information about landlord-tenant law, not advice about your situation. Laws change and procedures vary by county. For advice about your lease, consult a licensed attorney in your state — many legal aid offices help renters free.