Landlord's 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate due to Nonpayment of Rent in Arizona

Notice of Termination for Residential Lease in Arizona
In Arizona, a landlord may terminate a residential lease for non-payment of rent under Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1368. This section of the law requires that a landlord give the tenant a 5-day notice to pay rent or vacate the premises.

Essential Elements for Arizona Eviction Based on Non-Payment of Rent
The essential elements for eviction based on non-payment of rent in Arizona are:
  • The tenant is in default of the rental agreement, specifically for failing to pay rent when due.
  • The landlord has given the tenant a 5-day notice to pay rent or vacate the premises.
  • The tenant has failed to pay the past-due rent or vacate the premises within the 5-day period.
Proper Service of Notice 
Landlords must understand the proper methods of delivering the notice to the tenant. In Arizona, the notice may be served by personal delivery to the tenant by leaving a copy at the tenant's dwelling unit with someone of suitable age and discretion or by mailing the notice by both first-class and certified mail to the tenant's last known address.
It is important to note that the notice must be in writing and clearly state the amount of past-due rent, the date by which the rent must be paid, and the date by which the tenant must vacate the premises if the rent is not paid.

Legal Action
If the tenant fails to pay the past-due rent or vacate the premises within the five days, the landlord may initiate legal action for eviction. The landlord must file a complaint with the court and provide the tenant with proper service of the complaint. The court will then set a date for a hearing, and the tenant will have an opportunity to defend against the eviction.

Landlords need to understand that a notice to pay rent or vacate the premises is a necessary first step in the eviction process in Arizona. Landlords must ensure that they are providing the tenant with proper notice and that they are following the procedures outlined in Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1368 to avoid any potential legal issues.