Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1903

Appointment of temporary receiver; term; duties, accounting

In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/2/2026
effective 10/8/2026ArizonaHabitability & Repair

Operative Text

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1903
A. This state or a city, town or county of this state may apply to the superior court for the appointment of a temporary receiver to manage a property that is designated as a slum property by a city, town or county or the state.

B. If the court determines that the appointment of a temporary receiver is necessary, the court may order the appointment of a temporary receiver to manage or operate the premises for as long as the court deems necessary. The court shall not appoint a temporary receiver for a term of more than one year.

C. A temporary receiver who is appointed pursuant to subsection B of this section either shall be a real estate licensee specializing in property management or an attorney specializing in real estate law and shall swear or affirm to faithfully and fairly discharge the receiver's duties. The court may require the temporary receiver to post a bond in an amount fixed by the court.

D. The court shall determine the following:

1. The management duties of the receiver.

2. The amount of compensation to be paid to the receiver.

3. The method of payment.

4. The payment periods.

E. The temporary receiver shall continue to manage the property during the pendency of any appeal or until relieved by the court. The court may remove a temporary receiver on its own motion or on the motion of any party or the temporary receiver.

F. The temporary receiver may do any of the following:

1. Take control of the property.

2. Pay the mortgage on the property if there are sufficient monies derived from the income of the property to do so.

3. Collect rents due on the property.

4. Make or have made any repairs that are necessary to bring the property into compliance with any statute or ordinance.

5. Make payments that are necessary for the maintenance or restoration of utilities to the property.

6. Purchase materials that are necessary to make repairs.

7. Renew, terminate or modify existing rental contracts and leases as provided by law.

8. Enter into new rental contracts and leases.

9. Affirm, renew or terminate an existing insurance contract that covers the property as provided by law.

10. Enter into a new contract that provides for insurance coverage on the property.

11. Hire security or other personnel that are necessary for the safe and proper operation and maintenance of the property.

12. Prosecute or defend suits that flow from the management of the property and retain counsel.

13. Exercise all other authority that an owner of the property would have except the authority to sell the property.

G. Before the receiver spends monies in excess of ten thousand dollars the court and the party who is responsible for the payment of the temporary receiver's expenditures shall approve the expenditure of those monies.

H. The costs of compensation to and expenditures by the temporary receiver shall be paid in the following order of priority:

1. From the income that is derived from the property and that is available after all taxes and mortgages are satisfied.

2. By the party who requested the appointment of the temporary receiver.

I. On filing with the county recorder of the county in which the property is located, a lien is created in favor of the party who pays the temporary receiver's costs of compensation and expenditures other than the defendant. The lien is prior to all other liens, obligations or encumbrances except for prior recorded mortgages, restitution liens, child support liens and general tax liens.

J. On the completion of the receivership, the temporary receiver shall file with the court a full accounting of all costs and expenses incurred and all income received during course of the receivership.

K. On finding that the appointment of a temporary receiver is no longer warranted, the court on its own motion or the motion of any party may terminate the temporary receivership.

L. After all violations have been cured, the temporary receivership shall be terminated.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Under A.R.S. § 33-1901 et seq. § 33-1903, Arizona state government or a local municipality can petition a superior court to place a property designated as a "slum property" under the control of a court-appointed temporary receiver. The receiver—who must be a licensed property manager or a real estate attorney—can collect rents, make repairs, manage leases, and take most actions an owner could take, except selling the property. The receivership lasts only as long as the court finds necessary, with a hard cap of one year, and ends once all violations are corrected or the court determines it is no longer warranted.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 9, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

A.R.S. § 33-1901 et seq. § 33-1903 establishes a process by which a property owner can lose day-to-day control of their rental property if a government body successfully petitions a court to appoint a temporary receiver due to a "slum property" designation. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in a condition that meets applicable codes and ordinances, reducing the risk of such a designation in the first place. Owners should also be aware that receiver costs and expenditures can result in a lien on the property that takes priority over most other encumbrances except prior recorded mortgages and certain tax and support liens.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

A.R.S. § 33-1901 et seq. § 33-1903 provides a legal mechanism that can benefit tenants living in severely substandard housing: if a property is designated a "slum property," a government entity may ask a court to appoint a temporary receiver who is empowered to collect rents, make necessary repairs, and restore utilities. Tenants in such properties may wish to contact their local city, town, or county housing office to understand whether a receivership has been initiated or whether a complaint can prompt one. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how this provision interacts with their existing lease rights and what options may be available during and after a receivership.

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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 8, 2026
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Related Rules

§ 244.260
Compliance required
§ 14.567
ADOPTED BY REFERENCE
§ 244.340
Sewer and water connections

Source Information

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