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Arizona Forcible Entry and Detainer Law

Landlord Tenant – Forcible Entry and Detainer Law – Arizona

Title 12 – Courts and Civil Proceedings
CHAPTER 1 – COURTS OF RECORD
Article 4 – Forcible Entry and Detainer

Acts which constitute forcible entry or detainer

A person is guilty of forcible entry and detainer, or of forcible detainer, as the case may be, if he:

1. Makes an entry into any lands, tenements or other real property, except in cases where entry is given by law.
2. Makes such an entry by force.
3. Wilfully and without force holds over any lands, tenements or other real property after termination of the time for which such lands, tenements or other real property were let to him or to the person under whom he claims, after demand made in writing for the possession thereof by the person entitled to such possession. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1171

Definition of forcible entry

A “forcible entry,” or an entry where entry is not given by law within the meaning of this article, is:

1. An entry without the consent of the person having the actual possession.
2. As to a landlord, an entry upon the possession of his tenant at will or by sufferance, whether with or without the tenant’s consent. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1172

Definition of forcible detainer; substitution of parties

There is a forcible detainer if:

1. A tenant at will or by sufferance or a tenant from month to month or a lesser period whose tenancy has been terminated retains possession after his tenancy has been terminated or after he receives written demand of possession by the landlord.
2. The tenant of a person who has made a forcible entry refuses for five days after written demand to give possession to the person upon whose possession the forcible entry was made.
3. A person who has made a forcible entry upon the possession of one who acquired such possession by forcible entry refuses for five days after written demand to give possession to the person upon whose possession the first forcible entry was made.
4. A person who has made a forcible entry upon the possession of a tenant for a term refuses to deliver possession to the landlord for five days after written demand, after the term expires. If the term expires while a writ of forcible entry applied for by the tenant is pending, the landlord may, at his own cost and for his own benefit, prosecute it in the name of the tenant. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1173

Additional definition of forcible detainer

A. In addition to other persons enumerated in this article, a person in any of the following cases who retains possession of any land, tenements or other real property after he receives written demand of possession may be removed through an action for forcible detainer filed with the clerk of the superior court in accordance with this article:

• If the property has been sold through the foreclosure of a mortgage, deed of trust or contract for conveyance of real property pursuant to title 33, chapter 6, article 2.
• If the property has been sold through a trustee’s sale under a deed of trust pursuant to title 33, chapter 6.1.
• If the property has been forfeited through a contract for conveyance of real property pursuant to title 33, chapter 6, article 3.
• If the property has been sold by virtue of an execution and the title has been duly transferred.
• If the property has been sold by the owner and the title has been duly transferred.

B. The remedies provided by this section do not affect the rights of persons in possession under a lease or other possessory right which is superior to the interest sold, forfeited or executed upon.
C. The remedies provided by this section are in addition to and do not preclude any other remedy granted by law. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1173.01

Immateriality of time possession obtained by tenant

It is not material whether a tenant received possession from his landlord or became his tenant after obtaining possession. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1174
Complaint and answer; service and return

A. When a party aggrieved files a complaint of forcible entry or forcible detainer, in writing and under oath, with the clerk of the superior court or a justice of the peace, summons shall issue no later than the next judicial day.
B. The complaint shall contain a description of the premises of which possession is claimed in sufficient detail to identify them and shall also state the facts which entitle the plaintiff to possession and authorize the action.
C. The summons shall be served at least two days before the return day, and return made thereof on the day assigned for trial. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1175

Demand for jury; trial procedure

A. The clerk or justice of the peace shall at the time of issuing the summons, if requested by the plaintiff, issue a venire to the sheriff or constable of the county commanding him to summon a jury of eight persons, if the proceeding is in the superior court, and six persons, if in the justice court, qualified jurors of the county, to appear on the day set for trial to serve as jurors in the action. The venire shall be served and returned on the day assigned for trial. The trial date shall be no more than five judicial days after the aggrieved party files the complaint.
B. If the plaintiff does not request a jury, the defendant may do so when he appears, and the jury shall be summoned in the manner set forth in subsection A.
C. If any jurors fail to attend, or are excused after being challenged, the jury shall be completed by causing other qualified jurors to be summoned immediately.
D. The action shall be docketed and tried as other civil actions. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1176

Trial and issue; postponement of trial

A. On the trial of an action of forcible entry or forcible detainer, the only issue shall be the right of actual possession and the merits of title shall not be inquired into.
B. If a jury is demanded, it shall return a verdict of guilty or not guilty of the charge as stated in the complaint. If a jury is not demanded the action shall be tried by the court.
C. For good cause shown, supported by affidavit, the trial may be postponed for a time not to exceed three calendar days in a justice court or ten calendar days in the superior court. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1177

Judgment; writ of restitution; limitation on issuance

A. If the defendant is found guilty, the court shall give judgment for the plaintiff for restitution of the premises, for all charges stated in the rental agreement and for costs and, at the plaintiff’s option, for all rent found to be due and unpaid through the periodic rental period, as described in section 33-1314, subsection C, as provided for in the rental agreement, and shall grant a writ of restitution. If the defendant’s social security number is contained on the complaint at the time of judgment, the person designated by the judge to prepare the judgment shall ensure the defendant’s social security number is contained on the judgment.
B. If the defendant is found not guilty, judgment shall be given for the defendant against the plaintiff for costs, and if it appears that the plaintiff has acquired possession of the premises since commencement of the action, a writ of restitution shall issue in favor of the defendant.
C. No writ of restitution shall issue until the expiration of five calendar days after the rendition of judgment. The writ of restitution shall be enforced as promptly and expeditiously as possible. The issuance or enforcement of a writ of restitution shall not be suspended, delayed, or otherwise affected by the filing of a motion to set aside or vacate the judgment or similar motion unless a judge finds good cause. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1178

Appeal to superior court; notice; bond

A. Either party may appeal from a justice court to the superior court in the county in which the judgment is given by giving notice as in other civil actions within five calendar days after rendition of the judgment pursuant to this section. The appeal shall be filed in accordance with this section, and the time to appeal shall not be extended or otherwise affected by the filing of a motion to set aside or vacate the judgment or similar motion.
B. A party seeking to appeal a judgment shall file with the notice of appeal a bond for costs on appeal, which shall be in an amount set by the justice of the peace sufficient to cover the costs on appeal. The bond shall be payable to the clerk of the superior court. If a party is unable to file a bond for costs on appeal, the party shall file with the justice court a notice of appeal along with an affidavit stating that he is unable to give bond for costs on appeal and the reasons therefor. Within five court days after the filing of the affidavit, any other party may file, in the justice court,objections to the affidavit. The justice of the peace shall hold a hearing on the affidavit and objections within five court days thereafter. If the justice court sustains the objections, the appellant shall file, within five court days thereafter, a bond for costs on appeal as provided for in this section or in such lesser amount as ordered by the justice court.
C. A party seeking to appeal a judgment may stay the execution of either the judgment for possession or any judgment for money damages by filing a supersedeas bond. The justice court shall hold a hearing on the motion within five court days after the parties advise the justice court of their failure to stipulate on the amount of the bond. The stay is effective when the supersedeas bond or bonds are filed.
D. The party seeking to stay the execution of the judgment for possession shall file a supersedeas bond in the amount of rent accruing from the date of the judgment until the next periodic rental date, together with costs and attorney’s fees, if any. The tenant shall pay to the clerk of the superior court, on or before each periodic rental due date during the pendency of the appeal, the amount of rent due under the terms of the lease or rental agreement. Such amounts shall be made payable by the superior court to the owner, landlord or agent as they accrue to satisfy the amount of periodic rent due under the lease or rental agreement. In all cases where the rent due under the terms of the lease or rental agreement is paid through the office of the clerk of the superior court as set forth in this subsection, the order of the court may include a one- time handling fee in the amount of ten dollars to be paid by the party seeking to stay the execution of the judgment for possession. In no event shall the amounts paid per month exceed the amount of monthly rent charged by the owner for the premises. Where habitability as provided for in sections 33-1324 and 33-1364 has been raised as an affirmative defense by the tenant to the nonpayment of rent or when the tenant has filed a counterclaim asserting a habitability issue, the superior court will retain all money paid under this subsection pending a final judgment.
E. If during the pendency of the appeal the party seeking to stay the execution of the judgment for possession fails to pay the rent on the periodic rental due date, the party in whose favor a judgment for possession was issued may move the superior court to lift the stay of the execution of the judgment for possession. The superior court shall hear the motion to lift the stay of the execution of the judgment for possession and release accrued monies, if any, within five court days from the failure of the party to pay the periodic rent due under the terms of the lease or rental agreement. If the judgment appealed from involves a finding of a material and irreparable breach pursuant to section 33-1368 or section 33-1476, subsection D, paragraph 3 the superior court shall treat it as an emergency matter and conduct a hearing on a motion to lift the stay of execution of the writ of restitution within three days. If the third day is a Saturday, Sunday or other legal holiday, the hearing shall be heard on the next day thereafter.
F. The party seeking to stay the execution of the judgment for money damages shall file a supersedeas bond in the amount of the judgment, together with costs and attorney’s fees, if any. The amount of the bond shall be fixed by the court and payable to the clerk of the superior court. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1179

Stay of proceedings on judgment; record on appeal

When the appeal bond is filed and approved, the justice of the peace shall stay further proceedings on the judgment and immediately prepare a list of all entries on the justice’s docket in the action and transmit it, together with all the original papers, to the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the trial was had. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1180
Trial and judgment on appeal; writ of restitution

A. On trial of the action in the superior court, appellee, if out of possession and the right of possession is adjudged to him, shall be entitled to damages for withholding possession of the premises during pendency of the appeal and the court shall also render judgment in favor of appellee and against appellant and the sureties on his bond for damages proved and costs.
B. The writ of restitution or execution shall be issued by the clerk of the superior court and shall be executed by the sheriff or constable as in other actions. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1181

Appeal to supreme court; stay and bond

A. In a forcible entry or forcible detainer action originally commenced in the superior court, an appeal may be taken to the supreme court as in other civil actions.
B. The appeal, if taken by the party in possession of the premises, shall not stay execution of the judgment unless the superior court so orders, and appellant shall file a bond in an amount fixed and approved by the court, conditioned that appellant will prosecute the appeal to effect and will pay the rental value of the premises pending the appeal and all damages, costs, and rent adjudged against him by the superior court or the supreme court. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1182

Proceedings no bar to certain actions

The proceedings under a forcible entry or forcible detainer shall not bar an action for trespass, damages, waste, rent or mesne profits. Title 12, Chap. 1, §12-1183