The City of Tempe has several codes affecting rental properties for both landlords and tenants. Failure to comply with these codes could result in civil citations or criminal complaints. Below are some of the most common issues that Code Compliance encounters. 

Tenants

• Loud Parties- Residents may receive fines if noise complaints are received for loud parties or gatherings.
• Lawn Parking- Landscaped areas cannot be utilized for parking vehicles. Parking may only occur in the driveway or other approved areas.
• Lawn Maintenance- Yards and landscaped areas must be maintained and should not be obstructing streets, alleys, or sidewalks.
• Pool Maintenance-  Pools must be fenced off from the public, and should be maintained so as not to present a deteriorated appearance, be a health hazard, or harbor infestations.
• Junk and Debris- Exterior areas should be kept free from junk and debris, including patios and carports.
• Alley Maintenance- Alleys adjacent to each property must be kept free of vegetation and debris up to the alley's center point.

Learn more about Tempe's Nuisance and Property Enhancement Code.

Landlords

• Unregistered Rentals- All rental units must be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor's Office.
• Heating- Every rental housing unit shall have heating, under the tenant's control, capable of safely heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and flush toilet rooms located therein to a temperature of at least seventy degrees (70º) Fahrenheit.
• Air Conditioning- Every rental housing unit shall have cooling, under the tenant's control, capable of safely cooling all habitable rooms, bathrooms and flush toilet rooms located therein to a temperature no greater than eighty-eight degrees (88º) Fahrenheit, if cooled by evaporative cooling, or eighty-two degrees (82º) Fahrenheit, if cooled by air conditioning.
• Hot Water- Every rental housing unit shall have hot water service properly installed and maintained in sound condition capable of furnishing reasonable amounts of hot water with a minimum temperature of one hundred ten degrees (110º).
• Electrical and Lighting- Every rental housing unit should have electrical service and lighting properly installed and maintained in sound condition.
• Landscaping- Every rental housing unit shall have landscaping in all yard areas visible to the public.

Learn more about Tempe's Rental Housing Code.