How to say if your landlord violates the law

Arizona’s new law prohibits landlords to collect landlord landlords on January 1.
Tenants who believe that their landlord is still charging the tax should contact their landlord or Arizona income.
Tenants can also file a complaint with the Arizona Prosecutor General’s Office or carry out litigation.

Tenants of residential buildings in Arizona should no longer pay tax for monthly rent in accordance with the state legislation in 2023.

Two years ago, republican state legislators were given priority from the abolition of a tax levied by some municipalities as a way to offer some financial assistance from high housing costs. Katie Gobbs Governor, Democrat, eventually signed the abolition of the law – through the objection of city leaders – in Agreement that has won republican votes for a plan of continued transportation tax.

The tax was to disappear until January 1.

During the weeks, the tenants complained about the landlords who have transformed the fee or continued to collect tax. Arizona Prosecutor General Chris Mace, acting on tenant complaints, demanded Landlord Mass changes the course after he has found a fee tax in exchange for not attracting rent.

The Republic of Arizona investigates whether property managers adhere to, and That’s how you can help with our reporting.

Here are some general questions that readers and tenants have asked about cancellation of taxes and what you should do if you think that your landlord is not complying with the law.

Can landlords produced by homes still charge?

No, according to Richie Taylor, the press -secretary of the Prosecutor General. The law cancels the lease on “real estate, which is rented or rented for housing purposes.”

The Arizonna Income Department, the Tax and Law Enforcement Agency, has confirmed that the tax should not be charged for industrial home areas as long as they are rented for residential purposes and within 30 days or more.

How can I say if my landlord stopped levying tax?

First, check the monthly account to check that the fees are charged, showing individual fees and taxes. The lease tax can be called a tax on sales or privilege tax.

If the bill is not detailed, you can ask your landlord to confirm that the tax is not part of your bill, according to Taylor and Department of Revenue.

“Landlords can try to mask the now forbidden rent as a new fee,” Taylor said, advising the tenants to check the fees that are the same amount as what they pay for rent.

Can a landlord add a new administrative fee if it is on a current lease?

No, your landlord may not change your current rent to an administrative fee without your consent, Taylor said.

If the lease expires, the landlord may make changes, but the tenant may agree on them or decide not to renew, he said.

What should I do if I think my landlord is still picking up the tax?

“If you believe that your landlord is still collecting a tax, you can contact your landlord to clarify whether the tax is still included in your rent,” Rebecca Wilder wrote, a secretary of the Department of Revenue, in an email. “If your landlord does not answer or if the landlord indicates that he or she does not intend to adjust your rent, you can contact the legal defender to determine your options.”

The law establishes a provision for tenants to file civil lawsuits by laying the burden on landlords to show that they do not charge tax or fees instead of tax.

The Prosecutor General’s Office also encourages tenants to consider filing a complaint of consumers. More information on how to do it and how to file an Internet complaint available at www.azag.gov/complaints/consumer.

“According to the State Statute, consumer complaints are absolutely confidential, so we will never share someone with someone with the public or the landlord without their obvious consent,” Taylor said, noting that they were prohibited from paying against someone for filing a complaint under the law of Arizona.

I rent a home family in a private person. I pay the same amount on a monthly basis, and it is not detailed for rent. What do I do?

“Private landlords are also required to stop collecting a lease tax, and your rent should be reduced,” Taylor said.

But there are reasons why some tenants would not see the month of the month for a month.

Some cities have never been leased from the rent, so the tenants should not see any changes there. These include Tauna and Flagstaff.

Many cities in the Phoenix metro area have charged a tax from 1% to 3%. Here are tax rates from some of the largest municipalities (and the amount your monthly account should be reduced as of January 1):

Phoenix: 2.3%
Mass: 2%
Scottishle: 1.75%
Tempe, Peorya: 1.8%
Goodyear, Avondale: 2.5%
Buckeye: 3%

The Income Department publishes a tax guide collected in municipalities, See whether home rental tax was charged here.

Wilder noted other circumstances that may mean that the tenant would not see a change in his monthly expenses. Some municipalities have allowed people to rent a certain number of units before the tax is charged, according to her, and some landlords may not have been charged separately at the expense of rent.

Are landlords needed to inform the tenants of cancellation?

Nothing about the law of 2023 required the landlords to inform the tenants that they would stop collecting tax, the Department of Income reports.

The Revenue Department also published FAQ on tax cancellation. Look here.

But Taylor said the tenants’ message is the best practice to inform tenants.

Why did the taxes be canceled?

Tax cancellation and continuation of transport tax were the main problems at the Arizona Capitol two years ago, when Hobbes tried to find her levers with most GOP in the legislative body. Hobbes first veto on the version of the bill on cancellation of GOP lease taxBut later the law was signed. This version, sponsored by the Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, demanded the transfer of savings to tenants.

The cities that imposed a tax were objected to the law, noting that it brings millions of dollars every year to finance public services. They unsuccessfully urged legislators to fall asleep funding and some Reductions have been implemented Or consider the possibility of increasing other taxes to compensate for a blow to their bank accounts.

Phoenix can consider Increasing sales tax to compensate for income reduction partly due to the cancellation of the lease tax.

Reach the Barcent Stacey Reporter in [email protected] or 480-416-5669.