Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-343
Premises rendered untenantable without fault of lessee; nonliability of tenant for rent; right to quit premises
Operative Text
The lessee of a building which, without fault or neglect on the part of the lessee, is destroyed or so injured by the elements or any other cause as to be untenantable or unfit for occupancy, is not liable thereafter to pay rent to the lessor or owner unless expressly provided by written agreement, and the lessee may thereupon quit and surrender possession of the premises.
Under A.R.S. § 33-303 et seq. § 33-343, when a rental property becomes untenantable or unfit for occupancy due to destruction or damage caused by the elements or another cause—and the tenant bears no fault or neglect for that damage—the tenant's obligation to pay rent ends at that point. The tenant also gains the right to vacate and surrender the premises. This rule does not apply if a written lease agreement expressly requires rent to continue in such circumstances.
Plain English — not legal advice.
A.R.S. § 33-303 et seq. § 33-343 means that if a rental unit is rendered untenantable through no fault of the tenant—whether by storm, fire, or another external cause—the tenant's rent obligation generally ceases and the tenant may legally vacate. Operators who wish to address this scenario differently typically do so through an express written provision in the lease, as the statute permits such a contractual override. Landlords commonly review their lease language and insurance coverage to account for situations where a property becomes uninhabitable due to casualty events.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
A.R.S. § 33-303 et seq. § 33-343 provides that tenants are not liable for rent after a property becomes untenantable due to damage or destruction that was not their fault, and they have the right to quit and surrender the premises in that situation. Tenants may want to document the condition of the property and any communications with the landlord if this circumstance arises. General enforcement paths can include raising this provision as a defense in any rent-collection proceeding or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Arizona law for information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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