May 1, 2014

Commercial Evictions in Arizona

Under Arizona law there are two basic ways a landlord can recover possession of a commercial property.

"Locking Out" a Commercial Tenant

Arizona landlord are permitted to perform a “lockout”. Through a lockout the landlord eviction suit they literally just lock the tenant out.  If a tenant is more than five (5) days late with a rent payment, the landlord may enter the premises and take possession without any prior notice or demand for payment. However, before you just lockout your tenant it is important to review the lease and see if it contains terms which will limit your ability to recover possession without notice or a demand for payment.

In spite of the very broad repossession power given to commercial landlords by Arizona law, a landlord must follow any specific procedures found in the lease relating to notice and termination of the tenancy.

Commercial Tenant's Belongings

What must a commercial landlord do with all the tenant’s property left in the premises if they lock out the tenant?  Arizona law gives the landlord a lien on all of the tenant’s property in the premises when the landlord recovers possession.  The landlord can hold the property and demand payment of rent in exchange for release of the property.  If the tenant has not paid rent due within 60 (sixty) days, the landlord may sell the seized property and apply the proceeds to the amount of rent owed by the tenant.

Prior to selling the tenant's belongings, the landlord must provide the tenant with a 10 (ten) day notice of intent to sell the property if rent is not paid.  If the tenant still fails to pay past due rent and late fees, the landlord must sell the property at a public auction.

Potential Mistakes with Commercial Lockouts 



Note that if a lease has been assigned or there is a sub-tenant of the original tenant occupying the property a landlord can still enter and seize the property of the sub-tenant if the rent is in arrears.  The landlord has a lien in the sub-tenant’s property on the premises.  If nobody pays past due rent and late fees, the landlord can proceed to auction as described above.  The landlord still has a lien on sub-tenants belongings even if they have been faithfully paying rent to the original tenant, who has not been forwarding that rent on to the landlord. The sub-tenant would have a breach of contract claim against the original tenant, but the landlord can proceed to auction unless the original tenant or sub-tenant pays the past due rent.

Filing a Lawsuit Against the Commercial Tenant

As an alternative to a tenant lock-out, an Arizona commercial landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.  One major reason to file an eviction lawsuit is that it is the quickest and easiest method to obtain a money judgment against the tenant. For this reason, it is always advisable to obtain personal guaranties from the principles of any closely held corporation or limited liability company tenant.  You will then have the ability to seek recovery of your damages from the guarantors.  To make sure you can collect on a personal guaranty if necessary, it is imperative to have both a husband and wife sign the personal guaranty.

Another reason a commercial landlord might consider an eviction lawsuit is to limit any potential liability that may arise from making an error in the lock-out process. A good commercial lease will have terms which limit a landlord’s liability for any consequential damages the tenant suffers as a result of a lock-out.  If you don’t have a lease which limits your liability for consequential damages, you should consider going to court and getting an eviction judgment, rather than simply locking your tenant out. 

If you need help with a commercial eviction then contact real estate attorney Clint S. Dunaway at 480-344-4035 or email at