Title: Tenant's Right to Break a Rental Lease in Arizona | Nolo
Headings: Tenant's Right to Break a Rental Lease in Arizona
Tenant's Right to Break a Rental Lease in Arizona
Learn when and how tenants may legally break a lease in Arizona and how to limit liability for rent through the end of the lease term.
Tenant Rights and Responsibilities When Signing a Lease in Arizona
When Breaking a Lease Is Justified in Arizona
1. You Are a Victim of Domestic Violence
2. You Are Starting Active Military Duty
3. The Rental Unit Is Unsafe or Violates Arizona Health or Safety Codes
4. Your Landlord Harasses You or Violates Your Privacy Rights
Landlord's Duty to Find a New Tenant in Arizona
How to Minimize Your Financial Responsibility When Breaking a Lease
More Information on Tenant Rights to Break a Lease
More Information on Landlord-Tenant Law in Arizona

Content: The bad news is that if the landlord tries to rerent your unit, and can't find an acceptable tenant, you will be liable for paying rent for the remainder of your lease term. This could be a substantial amount of money if you leave several months before your lease ends. Your landlord will probably first use your security deposit to cover the amount you owe. But if your deposit is not sufficient, your landlord may sue you, probably in small claims court where the limit is $3,500 in Arizona. How to Minimize Your Financial Responsibility When Breaking a Lease
If you want to leave early, and you don't have legal justification to do so, there are better options than just moving out and hoping your landlord gets a new tenant quickly. There's a lot you can do to limit the amount of money you need to pay your landlord—and help ensure a good reference from the landlord when you're looking for your next place to live. You can help the situation a lot by providing as much notice as possible and writing a sincere letter to your landlord explaining why you need to leave early. Ideally you can offer your landlord a qualified replacement tenant, someone with good credit and excellent references, to sign a new lease with your landlord. More Information on Tenant Rights to Break a Lease
Every Tenant's Legal Guide, by Janet Portman and Marcia Stewart (Nolo) provides extensive legal and practical advice that every tenant needs, from move in to move out, including how to get your landlord to cancel your lease, plus dozens of forms and sample letters. More Information on Landlord-Tenant Law in Arizona
To learn more about landlord-tenant laws in your state, see the State Landlord-Tenant Laws section of the Nolo site.