In Arizona, the eviction process begins when the landlord serves the tenant with a written notice—such as a 30-day, 10-day, or 5-day notice—depending on the nature of the violation. These notices must be sent by certified mail. Under A.R.S. § 33-1313(B), if the tenant signs for the notice, the time period begins on the date of receipt. However, if the tenant does not sign—which is common—the notice is deemed received five days after it is mailed.
Timing of Notice
A tenant has legally received a notice can be a little confusing. Proper calculation of time is explained in A.R.S. § 33-1313(B).
If notice is mailed by certified mail, the tenant is deemed to have received such notice on the date the notice is actually received by him or five days after the date the notice is mailed, whichever occurs first.
A.R.S. 33-1313(B)
For example, if a 5 day notice is sent to the Arizona tenant via certified mail and the tenant does NOT sign for the notice then we must wait 11 days before filing the eviction. Because it is legally received 5 days after mailing, plus they have the 5 days to make their rent payment.
However, if the Arizona tenant actually signs for the certified letter then the counting begins on that day. For example, if we sent the letter on Monday and the tenant signs for the letter on Tuesday then the 5 days to pay begins on Wednesday.
Mailing the 5 day Notice
In Arizona, the process of evicting a tenant for non-payment of rent begins with mailing a 5 day notice. If the tenant never signs for the 5 day notice it is still legally considered having been received 5 days after it was mailed.
A 5 day notice demands that the tenant pay ALL past due rent, late fees, and other outstanding fees in full within 5 days. If, the tenant attempts to tender the full amount owed within the 5 day period then it must be accepted. A landlord cannot reject the full outstanding balance owed and then turn-around and try to evict them for non-payment of rent.
It is important to note that if an Arizona landlord accepts a partial payment, even one dollar from a tenant then they cannot be evicted in that same calendar month for non-payment of rent.
If rent is not tendered within 5 days then an eviction lawsuit can be filed with the appropriate Arizona justice court. Within 6 days of filing the Complaint an eviction hearing should be held.
Serving Tenants With the Eviction Lawsuit
Once an eviction lawsuit has been filed against an Arizona tenant then they must be served complaint and summons by a licensed process server. The rules for serving tenants in an eviction case are found at Rule 5(e) of the Rules of Civil Procedure for Eviction Actions. Service of the summons and complaint shall be accomplished by either personal service or post and mail service for a special detainer action.
If you are an Arizona landlord and need help evicting a tenant then contact the Dunaway Law Group at 480-702-1608 or by messaging us HERE.
* The information provided is informational only, does not constitute legal advice, and will not create an attorney-client or attorney-prospective client relationship. Additionally, the Dunaway Law Group, PLC limits its practice to the states of Arizona and New York.