Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1367
Tenant's remedies for landlord's unlawful ouster, exclusion or diminution of services
Operative Text
If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or wilfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of electric, gas, water or other essential service to the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, recover an amount not more than two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages sustained by him, whichever is greater. If the rental agreement is terminated the landlord shall return all security recoverable under section 33-1321.
Arizona law under A.R.S. § 33-1367 addresses situations where a landlord unlawfully locks out a tenant or deliberately cuts off essential utilities such as electricity, gas, or water. When such conduct occurs, the tenant is entitled to either reclaim the rental unit or end the lease, and in either case may seek monetary damages equal to the greater of two months' rent or twice the actual harm suffered. If the rental agreement is terminated as a result, the landlord is required to return any security deposit that would otherwise be refundable under A.R.S. § 33-1321.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under A.R.S. § 33-1367, compliant property operators maintain uninterrupted access to essential utility services—electricity, gas, and water—for occupied units and never use lockouts or service shutoffs as informal eviction tools. Landlords who follow this provision rely exclusively on formal legal eviction processes when seeking to end a tenancy, rather than self-help measures. Operators should be aware that violations expose them to damages of up to two months' rent or twice the tenant's actual losses, whichever is greater, along with mandatory return of any security deposit if the tenancy is terminated.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
A.R.S. § 33-1367 gives tenants whose landlord has unlawfully locked them out or deliberately cut off essential services the right to either reclaim possession of the unit or terminate the rental agreement, and to pursue monetary damages in either scenario. Tenants in this situation may consider filing a complaint with a local housing authority, raising the violation as a defense or claim in court, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on available options. Documenting the disruption—such as dates of service interruption or lockout and any related expenses—is generally useful when pursuing remedies under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.