Arizona lease ending and holdover law: 10 and 30 day notices and a twice-rent ceiling

What notice ends a periodic tenancy?

Subsection A lets the landlord or the tenant end a week-to-week tenancy by written notice given to the other at least ten days before the termination date. Subsection B covers month to month: written notice at least thirty days before the periodic rental date. Both are measured to the date the tenancy ends, so the notice must be in the other party's hands early enough.

Example a made-up tenant pays rent on the first of each month. A written notice delivered on June 12 must name a rental date at least thirty days later, which is July 12 or after. The next rental date after that is August 1, so the tenancy ends on August 1.

What happens to a holdover tenant?

Subsection C covers a tenant who remains in possession without the landlord's consent after the term or its termination. The landlord may sue for possession. If the holdover is willful and not in good faith, the landlord may also recover an amount equal to not more than two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages sustained, whichever is greater. If the landlord consents in writing to the tenant's continued occupancy, section 33-1314, subsection D applies.

Notice the word "writing." Arizona's text ties consent to a writing, so a verbal go-ahead is a weaker way to let a tenant stay on, and an owner who wants a clear record should put it on paper.

What about an automatic renewal clause?

Section 33-1375 says nothing about one. I read this section only, not the whole Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, so I can say only that this section sets no notice or format rule for such a clause. If your lease renews itself, the clause's wording is what you rely on, so write it plainly and send a dated reminder before the deadline. For abandoned units and other end-of-tenancy topics, Arizona has separate sections, such as 33-1370 on abandonment.

• State the renewal period and the tenant's notice deadline in the lease.
• Send a dated written reminder before the deadline.
• Give any consent to stay on in writing.

A short routine for the end of a lease

Calendar the end date and the thirty-day date before it on every lease. Send any non-renewal or notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in writing and keep proof of delivery. If you agree to let a tenant stay on, write the consent down with the new terms, because the statute ties consent to a writing. If you do not agree, say so in the notice, keep the ledger showing the days the tenant stayed, and let your attorney advise before you claim the higher holdover amount. The thirty day rule for month-to-month tenancies is measured to a periodic rental date, so check that the date in your notice is far enough out. A notice that is a few days short does not end the tenancy on the date you named. Re-send it with a correct date and keep both copies in the file. Many owners also add a plain sentence to the lease explaining what the tenant must do to renew, which cuts down on end-of-term disputes.

How DoorKeeping fits

DoorKeeping tracks the end date of each lease and the 30 day marks for month-to-month tenancies, and can store your written consent to a holdover with the tenant file. Notices and any demand letters are drafts until you approve them. Your money stays in your own account. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current statute or ask a local attorney before you rely on it.

Sources

1. A.R.S. 33-1375, Periodic tenancy; hold-over remedies (Arizona Legislature), read Oct 30, 2026

Questions

How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Arizona?

Written notice given at least thirty days before the periodic rental date.

What can an Arizona landlord recover from a willful holdover?

Possession plus up to two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater.

Does Arizona require written consent for a holdover to stay?

Section 33-1375(C) refers to the landlord consenting in writing to continued occupancy.