Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Arizona

Dear Parent: Your e-mail indicts you live in the Phoenix area. I practice in southern Arizona, Cochise County, so I can not represent you. However, I do have some suggestions.

1. Put every complaint in writing, keep a copy for yourself, and mail to the manager/landlord by return receipt requested where they have to sign the green cards. Ask at the post office if you are not familiar with this. Has the landlord said you are causing the roach problem due to a lack of housekeeping? Take pictures of the kitchen and bathroom when they are cleaned up and do your best not to attract pests. You should review in the next letter what steps you've take and what they might have done that didn't solve the problem. Talk with your neighbors, do they have similar problems? If that doesn't get the problem solved, request in writing to get out of the lease early. I assume the $4000 the landlord is seeking is the balance due on your lease. If you move out the landlord has to make their best efforts to re-rent the property as quickly as possible, which should reduce the amount of money you owe.

2. Have a doctor examine your child, explain the problem with bits and why. The doctor should be able to write a letter for you explaining the health risks of having to live in such conditions. Present this to the landlord and request in writing to be allowed out of the lease.

3. You should contact your local community legal services. Go to < http://azlawhelp.org/ >. The nearest office to you may be the Eastside office at 20 W. First St., Ste. 101, Mesa, AZ 85201 Phone: (480) 833-1442. They may be able to give you advice.

Good Luck.