The Complete Guide to the Arizona Rental Agreement Template
Understanding the Rental Agreement in Arizona
A rental agreement in Arizona is a contract between landlord and tenant. It grants the tenant the right to occupy the property in exchange for payment of rent and sets out the specific policies and rules that apply to that rental agreement. Arizona rental agreements can be written or verbal, although it is certainly recommended to have a written agreement to clarify the rights and responsibilities of all involved.
Arizona state law (A.R.S. ยง 33-1321 et seq.) governs most aspects of rental agreements. Portions of the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act offer protections for both landlords and tenants. For instance , the law requires that a written rental agreement for a period of 12 months or longer include the following additional disclosures:
The Arizona Rental Agreement Template offered by our law firm includes each of these disclosures to protect you as a landlord. The Arizona Rental Agreement Template is designed for use for an initial term of 12 months. After the first year, either party may opt to renew the rental agreement on a month-to-month basis.
In Arizona, landlords cannot increase the rent during the term of the rental agreement unless the agreement specifically defines an increase (such as a set annual increase). Any increase must be given at least 30 days in advance of the end of the month in which you want the increase to take effect.
Landlords in Arizona can allow pets or not as they see fit. However, if pets are allowed, tenants cannot be charged a higher rent because of the pet, nor can higher security deposits be charged.
The Key Features of an Arizona Rental Agreement Template
A standard rental agreement template for an Arizona rental generally must include several key pieces of information. The current legal jargon and verbiage is typically not needed for an Arizona rental agreement template, but the required information should be clearly laid out.
The lease term term must be specific. The rental amount has to be clearly stated. The agreement must include the rental payment schedule. In addition, information about the security deposit amount is also important. The landlord and tenant signatures must be present for the rental agreement to be binding, and all other legal requirements must be clear.
Each of these items is similar to a standard rental agreement in other states of the United States. Both sides must agree on them before the document is signed. If the Arizona rental agreement template is vague about any of this information, problems could arise in the future for both parties.
How to Edit Your Rental Agreement Template
While there is a certain amount of information that landlords in Arizona must include in their rental or lease agreements, such as the property address, the names of the parties and the amount of rent due, they can also benefit if they add specific rules and responsibilities that apply to their property. For example, if an apartment community has rules about noise levels, parking restrictions or the number of guests allowed, these are not covered under Arizona law, but homeowners associations often include these provisions within the lease agreement. The agreement template should be changed accordingly to include any instructions a landlord wishes to give tenants. These additional clauses are perfectly legal and very convenient for the landlord as they can ensure tenants understand what is and is not allowed before they begin living on the property. Furthermore, local ordinances may also have additional requirements that an agreement should include. If a particular city or county restricts the types of activities that can occur on a property or requires landlords to provide certain disclosures, then all of these laws must be incorporated into the lease agreement. The customization process will make sure that all of them are addressed.
Common Errors to Avoid
"In the realm of real estate leasing, there are a number of mistakes that both lessors and lessees tend to make when signing a rental agreement for property in Arizona. All too often, people rush through the contract, documenting their agreement and moving on. However, it is important for both parties to fully understand all the terms of the agreement before signing. Having a rental agreement template in place is the best way to ensure that all provisions of the contract are met, but even then, mistakes can and do happen.
One of the most common errors committed by lessors (the landlord) and lessees (the tenant) is misrepresenting or omitting information. As with any formal contract, it is important that all information provided on the rental agreement is accurate . This is not only pertinent to the comfort of the tenant but also to the security of the property owner. While neglecting to account for repairs during the time of probation may not seem like a major problem, if it strains the relationship of the landlord and tenant, losing a reliable customer can be costly.
As mentioned above, another issue often encountered during the rental period is the omission of important terms. This is particularly apparent in the situation of late charges. If a landlord neglects to note the amount the tenant is required to pay for being behind on their payments it is a cost that becomes the burden of the landlord. While omitting charges may seem as a basic oversight, it is one of the most common pitfalls."
Where to Locate Reliable Arizona Rental Agreement Templates
When it comes to rental agreements in Arizona, having a reliable and legally binding template is crucial for both landlords and tenants. Fortunately, there are several avenues where you can find a rental agreement template that meets all legal requirements in Arizona.
Firstly, online resources are a popular choice for many landlords and property managers. Websites such as Nolo and LegalZoom provide rental agreement templates that are fully compliant with Arizona law. These templates can be tailored to suit individual property needs and can save time and money compared to hiring a lawyer to create a custom contract.
Local real estate agencies and property management firms also serve as a good source for rental agreement templates. Many have standard contracts that they use and are often willing to share a copy, especially with new clients. It’s also common for these agencies to offer a free legal review to ensure the rental agreement abides by the current state laws.
Additionally, the Arizona Department of Housing offers free downloadable rental agreements on its website. These forms are updated regularly and are a safe bet for anyone wanting to ensure they are using a compliant contract. Finally, an attorney with experience in Arizona landlord-tenant law can provide both a rental agreement template and the necessary legal counsel to guide you through the process of renting out property.
Advantages of Using a Standard Rental Agreement Template
When it comes to entering into a rental contract in Arizona, both landlords and tenants can benefit from using a standard rental agreement template. These templates offer a range of advantages over custom agreements, making the rental process smoother and more secure for both parties.
For starters, standard rental agreement templates are incredibly easy to use. With a custom agreement, you must create all the necessary documents from scratch, spending minutes or even hours trying to get it right. With a standard template, you’ll have access to all the necessary clauses and instructions you’ll need right at your fingertips, allowing you to craft the perfect rental contract with minimal hassle. This is especially helpful for first-time landlords and tenants who may need guidance throughout the rental agreement process.
Another major advantage of using a template is that it will help to ensure legal compliance . Tenants and landlords alike must follow Arizona laws about how to approach renting out a home, and the penalties for failing to follow these rules can be steep. Templates include the required language for the rental contract so that both parties can have confidence that they’re starting off on the right foot with a solid agreement. They also often provide valuable tips about relevant laws, such as the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Templates can also help landlords and tenants to avoid unnecessary disputes. The consequences of a rental contract violation can be significant, especially early on in the rental period, and violating a rental contract as a landlord can result in significant losses for the property owner. Corners are cut by people who draft their own agreements, but a standard rental agreement template allows you to have the protection of a legally functional, comprehensive contract right away. The costs of not having one can add up to substantial losses over the long-term.