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Material Breach of the Rental Agreement (Immediate and Irreparable)
If the acts alleged in the eviction action concern criminal activity.

The landlord must give the tenant written notice of his or her intent to immediately terminate the rental agreement. The landlord can file the eviction action the same day the tenant receives the notice of immediate termination.

If the tenant did not receive a termination notice, the notice does not comply with the law, or was not properly served, the court must dismiss the eviction action. (RPEA 13(a)(2).)

If the acts alleged in the eviction action concern criminal activity, anything the tenant says or presents at the eviction hearing may be used against him or her in a criminal case.
 
 
The following does not apply to mobile home park evictions, recreational vehicle park evictions, and certain subsidized housing. The information below may be helpful to landlords and tenants but is not a substitute for legal advice. There are other rules and laws that may be applicable to your situation, but these are common rules and laws that apply in eviction actions.
 

A.R.S. means Arizona Revised Statutes and RPEA means Rules of Procedure for Eviction Actions.
 
Complaint and Service
A copy of the lease agreement and any addendums related to the underlying basis of the eviction action must be served with the complaint and summons. Generally, an eviction action summons and complaint must be served by a constable, sheriff, or process server in one of two ways:
  1. personally served on the tenant, or
  2. posted in an obvious place and mailed to the tenant by certified mail. (RPEA 5(f).)
 
Answer
The tenant may file a written answer or answer orally in open court on the record. If the court sets a trial date, the tenant may be ordered to file a written answer. (RPEA 7.) 
 
Defenses
  1. The landlord claims that the tenant’s conduct or the conduct of one of their guests violated the rental agreement; however, this conduct never happened or happened off the property.

  2. The landlord accepted rent, or a portion of rent with knowledge of a default by the tenant and did not obtain a writing signed by the tenant at the time of accepting rent informing the tenant of the terms and conditions of accepting the rent. (ARS § 33-1371, RPEA 13(a)(4).) This defense applies even if part of the rent is paid by a third party unless the third party has a contract with the landlord and is a government agency, housing authority, agent for government agency/housing authority, or agent of a for-profit organization. However, the defense does apply if the third party is a faith-based organization, community action agency, non-profit, friend, family member, or anyone else.

  3. Retaliation – If the tenant complained to the landlord or a government agency charged with code enforcement about habitability issues materially affecting health and safety within 6 months prior to the eviction being filed, there is a presumption that the eviction is retaliatory. The tenant may be entitled to damages if this happened. (ARS § 33-1381.)

  4. The tenant is generally responsible for the conduct of their guests that violates the rental agreement, but only if the tenant could reasonably be expected to be aware that such actions might occur, and the tenant did not attempt to prevent those actions to the best of their ability. (ARS § 33-1368(G).)

INFO SHEET: CLAIMS AGAINST YOUR LANDLORD
 
Trial
The tenant has a right to a trial if the court determines that the tenant MAY have a defense or proper counterclaim. (RPEA 11(b)(1).) Unless waived in writing in the lease, the tenant may have a right to a jury trial, but the tenant must ask for it the first time they see the judge. The judge will then decide if there are factual matters to be determined by a jury. If there are no factual matters appropriate for a jury, the case will be heard by the judge. (RPEA 11(d).)
 
Evidence and Testimony
Evidence and testimony must be relevant to the proceeding. A witness must testify from personal knowledge – the witness telling the court what somebody else told the witness is generally not allowed. Both parties have a duty to make timely objections. If a witness testifies to a fact he or she does not have personal knowledge of or if the testimony is not relevant to the proceeding, immediately tell the judge you object to the testimony or evidence.
 
Judgment

Default judgment may be entered against the tenant if the tenant is not present in the court when the case is called by the judge. (RPEA 13.)

Stipulated judgment – the tenant is agreeing that the allegations in the complaint are true and judgment will be entered against the tenant. The tenant will not have an opportunity to offer a defense and cannot appeal from this type of judgment.

The judge may award the landlord possession of the property plus rent, late fees (if there is a written rental agreement), attorney fees, court costs, and other damages if there is a legal and factual basis to award these damages.

See Legal Info Sheet: Eviction Actions: After an Eviction Judgment for important information if the judge rules against you.


INFO SHEET: AFTER AN EVICTION JUDGMENT