Apartment complex landlords and management companies owe tenants a duty to keep common areas reasonably safe. When they fail — leaving a known hazard unaddressed in a stairwell, walkway, or parking lot — and someone falls and is injured, they can be held liable under Arizona premises liability law.
What landlords are required to maintain
Arizona's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (A.R.S. § 33-1324) requires landlords to maintain common areas in a clean and safe condition. Premises liability law imposes an additional duty to correct or warn of hazardous conditions in areas they control. For tenant-invitees, the standard is the highest available under Arizona law: the landlord must not only fix known hazards but also conduct reasonable inspections to find and address discoverable ones. A hallway that has been slippery for days without a repair request is different from one that became slippery an hour before the fall — and that timeline matters in establishing liability.
What you have to prove
Duty (you were a tenant or lawfully present on the property), breach (the landlord failed to fix or warn of a known or discoverable hazard), causation (that breach directly caused your fall and injuries), and damages (actual harm — medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering). Maintenance records, prior complaints about the same hazard, and surveillance footage are all critical evidence. Act quickly — evidence disappears fast. See our post on Arizona comparative negligence law for how shared fault affects your recovery.
The filing deadline
Arizona gives most personal injury victims two years from the date of injury (A.R.S. § 12-542). See our post on the Arizona personal injury statute of limitations.
Our slip and fall attorneys handle apartment complex claims throughout Phoenix and Scottsdale on a contingency fee basis. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.