Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Maricopa County justice court, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Phoenix the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Maricopa County justice court is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. Arizona state law is the main rulebook. Phoenix adds inspectors and 311, not a separate rent board.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Phoenix 311 is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
Is Phoenix different from Arizona state law?
The Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act is the book. Phoenix adds inspectors and 311, not a rent-control board. Maricopa County justice courts hear possession cases. A Tucson rumor is the wrong county.
The Phoenix layer
Arizona state law is the main rulebook. Phoenix adds inspectors and 311, not a separate rent board.
Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 33-1301 to 33-1381) is the Arizona floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Phoenix questions
Can my landlord in Phoenix evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Maricopa County justice court is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Phoenix?
That number is in Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Is Phoenix different from Arizona state law?
The Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act is the book. Phoenix adds inspectors and 311, not a rent-control board. Maricopa County justice courts hear possession cases. A Tucson rumor is the wrong county.
What number should I call in Phoenix?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Phoenix 311 does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org