Short answer: In Arizona, a landlord must give the tenant at least two days' notice of the intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times. That is the rule in A.R.S. 33-1343(D), and 24 hours is not enough. No notice is needed in an emergency, when notice is impracticable, or when the tenant's own repair request covers the visit. Entering unlawfully can cost at least one month's rent in damages.
Arizona entry rules at a glance
| Question | Rule | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| How much notice? | At least two days' notice of the intent to enter | 33-1343(D) |
| When can you enter? | Only at reasonable times | 33-1343(D) |
| Why can you enter? | Inspect, repair or improve, supply services, or show the unit to buyers, lenders, tenants, workmen or contractors | 33-1343(A) |
| Emergency? | Entry without consent is allowed | 33-1343(C) |
| Tenant asked for a repair? | The request counts as permission for that repair only | 33-1343(B) |
| Penalty for unlawful entry | Injunction or lease termination, plus actual damages of at least one month's rent | 33-1376(B) |
What the two day rule requires
Section 33-1343(D) has three parts. The landlord must give at least two days' notice, the notice must state the intent to enter, and the entry must happen at a reasonable time. The same subsection bars using access to harass the tenant.
The statute does not say the notice must be written. Send it in writing anyway. A text, email or portal message with a timestamp is your proof if the tenant later says no notice arrived.
How to count two days
The statute does not define how to count. A cautious approach is two full days between the notice and the visit. If you send notice on Monday morning, plan the entry for Wednesday at the earliest. Avoid notices sent late at night for a visit two mornings later.
What "reasonable times" means
The statute gives no hours. Normal weekday business hours are the safe choice unless the tenant agrees to something else. A visit at 7 AM or 8 PM may break the timing rule even with perfect notice.
When you can enter without two days' notice
Emergencies
Section 33-1343(C) lets you enter without consent in an emergency. Think active water leaks, fire or smoke, a gas smell or a failed cooling system in a summer heat wave. A repair that has waited a week is not an emergency. Write down what happened and why you could not wait.
When notice is impracticable
Section 33-1343(D) also excuses notice when giving it is impracticable. The statute does not define the term. Use it rarely and record the facts each time.
The tenant's own repair request
Under 33-1343(B), a service or maintenance request made under section 33-1341, paragraph 8 counts as permission to enter. The tenant waives the separate notice, but only for the purpose of acting on that request. Fix the leaking sink, then leave. Do not use the visit for a general inspection.
Consent and other access
A tenant can agree to a specific appointment, and that agreement covers the visit. Beyond the cases in the statute, you have no other right of access except by court order, after abandonment or surrender, or as sections 33-1369 and 33-1370 allow.
What an Arizona entry notice should say
- The tenant's name and unit address
- A plain statement that the landlord or its agent intends to enter
- The date and a time window during business hours
- The purpose, such as a smoke alarm check or a showing to a new tenant
- Who will enter and a contact number
A calendar invite that says "maintenance scheduled" may not show intent to enter. Say it in words. Our notice of entry guide has sample wording you can adapt.
A worked example: annual inspections in Mesa
Here is a fictional case. A manager plans smoke alarm checks across a 24 unit building in Mesa on Thursday 12 November 2026, from 9 AM to 1 PM.
- Monday 9 November, 10 AM: the team sends a written notice to every unit through the portal and posts a copy on each door. It names the date, the window and the purpose.
- Tuesday 10 November: one tenant asks for a later slot. The team agrees on Friday at 2 PM and records the consent.
- Wednesday 11 November: a tenant in unit 14 reports a leaking water heater. The repair request covers that visit, so a technician goes the same day for the water heater only.
- Thursday 12 November: technicians enter the other units in the window. Each entry is logged with the time in and time out.
The notice went out three days ahead, the times were reasonable and every visit has a record. That file is what protects you if a tenant complains.
What improper entry costs
Under A.R.S. 33-1376(B), the remedy covers an unlawful entry, a lawful entry made in an unreasonable manner, or repeated demands for entry that harass the tenant. The tenant can get an injunction or end the lease. In either case the tenant can recover actual damages of not less than one month's rent.
The rule runs both ways. Under 33-1376(A), if a tenant refuses lawful access, the landlord can seek an injunction or end the lease and recover actual damages. Build the record before you rely on it.
Common mistakes on Arizona entry
- Using a 24 hour notice template carried over from another state
- Calling an urgent repair an emergency to skip notice
- Turning a repair visit into a full inspection
- Giving notice by phone with no written record
- Scheduling early morning or evening visits
- Entering so often that it looks like pressure on the tenant
Entry rules are one part of the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Our ARLTA guide for property managers covers the rest. Move in and move out inspections tie into the Arizona security deposit rules, and refused access can lead to the steps in our Arizona eviction process guide.
Tracking entry notices in RIOO
In RIOO, each work order sits with the unit and the tenant, so the request that grants access is on file with the visit. Preventive schedules plan routine checks such as smoke alarm tests ahead of time, and photos and notes from each visit stay on the work order. See how service request and task management works in RIOO.
Questions about Arizona landlord entry
Does Arizona require 24 hours or 2 days' notice before entry?
Two days. A.R.S. 33-1343(D) requires at least two days' notice of the intent to enter, except in an emergency or when notice is impracticable.
Does the notice have to be in writing?
The statute does not say so. Written notice is still the safer practice because it proves what you sent and when.
Can a landlord enter without notice for a repair the tenant asked for?
Yes. The tenant's service or maintenance request counts as permission, but only to act on that request.
Can I show an occupied unit to new tenants?
Yes. Showing the unit to prospective tenants or buyers is a permitted purpose. Give two days' notice and pick reasonable times.
What can a tenant recover for an unlawful entry?
Actual damages of not less than one month's rent, plus an injunction or the right to end the lease.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. It reflects Arizona law as of 31 October 2026. Check the current statutes or speak with an Arizona attorney before acting.
