Question: My sister and her boyfriend moved in together about 3 months ago. They signed a one-year lease to rent a Scottsdale condominium. Last week the boyfriend beat up my sister quite badly, and the police had to be called. My sister obviously no longer wants to live with him. However, there are nine months remaining on the lease, and my sister does not want to have to make lease payments on the Scottsdale condominium plus lease payments on her new apartment. According to Arizona landlord tenant law, will my sister be required to pay the remaining nine months of the lease on the Scottsdale condominium? Also, my sister paid $500 of the $1,000 security deposit. Will she be entitled to the return of her $500 portion of the $1,000 security deposit?
Answer: If your sister furnishes the landlord a copy of the police report, plus a notice requesting termination of the lease within thirty days, your sister should be able to avoid paying any rent after this time period. A.R.S. §33-1318. In addition, if the Scottsdale condominium is in good condition at the time your sister terminates the lease, your sister should be able to get a refund of her $500 portion of the $1,000 security deposit.