General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
Last reviewed
The short version
- A tenant who enters active military service, or who gets permanent change of station or deployment orders, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders.
- A tenant who was a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault in the home within the last 30 days can ask in writing to be released with a move out date within 30 days, with a protective order or police report, and owes no future rent or early exit fees.
- A tenant may end the lease if the landlord does not fix a material problem within 10 days of written notice, or 5 days when health and safety are affected.
- Either side ends a month to month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the next rent due date.
- When a tenant abandons the unit, the landlord generally must make reasonable efforts to re-rent it at a fair rent before holding the tenant to the remaining rent.
An Arizona tenant who leaves early can owe rent, but the landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent the unit. Survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault and service members have specific early exit rights.
Arizona breaking a lease at a glance
| Rule | Arizona | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Military service | A tenant who enters active military service, or who gets permanent change of station or deployment orders, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. | Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) |
| Domestic violence survivors | A tenant who was a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault in the home within the last 30 days can ask in writing to be released with a move out date within 30 days, with a protective order or police report, and owes no future rent or early exit fees. | A.R.S. section 33-1318 |
| Unlivable conditions | A tenant may end the lease if the landlord does not fix a material problem within 10 days of written notice, or 5 days when health and safety are affected. | A.R.S. section 33-1361 |
| Landlord duty to re-rent | When a tenant abandons the unit, the landlord generally must make reasonable efforts to re-rent it at a fair rent before holding the tenant to the remaining rent. | Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act |
| Month-to-month notice | Either side ends a month to month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the next rent due date. | A.R.S. section 33-1375 |
Reasons that allow an early exit
A few situations let a tenant end a lease early with written notice and no penalty beyond what the law allows.
Military service. A tenant who enters active military service, or who gets permanent change of station or deployment orders, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955))
Domestic violence survivors. A tenant who was a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault in the home within the last 30 days can ask in writing to be released with a move out date within 30 days, with a protective order or police report, and owes no future rent or early exit fees. (A.R.S. section 33-1318)
Unlivable conditions
Unlivable conditions. A tenant may end the lease if the landlord does not fix a material problem within 10 days of written notice, or 5 days when health and safety are affected. (A.R.S. section 33-1361)
What the tenant may still owe
Outside those situations, a tenant who leaves early is usually responsible for rent until the lease ends or the unit is re-rented, whichever comes first.
Landlord duty to re-rent. When a tenant abandons the unit, the landlord generally must make reasonable efforts to re-rent it at a fair rent before holding the tenant to the remaining rent. (Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
Month-to-month tenancies
Month-to-month notice. Either side ends a month to month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the next rent due date. (A.R.S. section 33-1375)
Mistakes to avoid
- Billing the tenant for every remaining month without trying to re-rent the unit.
- Ignoring a protected early termination notice because it is inconvenient.
- Agreeing to an early exit by phone without a written agreement.
- Keeping more of the deposit than the lawful deductions.
Keep the Arizona breaking a lease summary on file
Free, no sign up. The file downloads straight away.
General information, not legal advice.
Verify current law
We last checked these Arizona rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Arizona attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955)
- A.R.S. section 33-1318
- A.R.S. section 33-1361
- Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
- A.R.S. section 33-1375
Official sources
Arizona forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
Asked by landlords in this state.
Can a service member break a lease in Arizona?
A tenant who enters active military service, or who gets permanent change of station or deployment orders, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. Source: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955).
Can a survivor of abuse end a lease early in Arizona?
A tenant who was a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault in the home within the last 30 days can ask in writing to be released with a move out date within 30 days, with a protective order or police report, and owes no future rent or early exit fees. Source: A.R.S. section 33-1318.
Does a Arizona landlord have to re-rent the unit?
When a tenant abandons the unit, the landlord generally must make reasonable efforts to re-rent it at a fair rent before holding the tenant to the remaining rent. Source: Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Arizona?
Either side ends a month to month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the next rent due date. Source: A.R.S. section 33-1375.