Posted on August 26, 2025 in Arizona Law

Can I Sue My Landlord After a Shooting or Robbery in Arizona? 

Becoming the victim of a shooting or robbery is traumatic under any circumstances. When it happens in or around your apartment complex, you may wonder whether your landlord should be held responsible. Arizona law does allow tenants to bring lawsuits against landlords in certain situations, but these cases can be complex.

Learning about how premises liability and negligent security claims work in Arizona will give you a better sense of whether legal action might be available. If you need legal help, contact an attorney for a free consultation today.

Landlord Responsibilities Under Arizona Law

Landlords in Arizona have a duty to keep their rental properties reasonably safe for tenants and guests. This duty doesn’t mean they are automatically liable for every crime that occurs on the premises. Instead, liability usually comes down to whether the landlord took reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm.

For example, under A.R.S. § 33-1324, landlords must maintain safe premises, keep common areas in good repair, and comply with building and housing codes. If a landlord ignores known safety issues (like broken locks or a history of criminal activity nearby), they may be accused of negligence if a crime occurs.

When a Landlord Might Be Liable for a Shooting or Robbery

Not every crime can be prevented, but landlords can sometimes be held legally responsible if their lack of security contributed to the danger. Courts often look at whether the crime was foreseeable and whether the landlord failed to act on warning signs.

Examples that could point to liability include:

• Failing to repair or replace broken locks or gates
• Neglecting to provide adequate lighting in parking lots and hallways
• Ignoring repeated reports of suspicious or criminal activity on the property
• Not hiring security personnel when crime in the area made it reasonable to do so

If a landlord knew about risks and failed to take reasonable action, they might share legal responsibility for the resulting harm.

Challenges You Might Face in These Cases

Suing a landlord after a violent crime can be difficult. As the victim, you must prove that the landlord owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach directly contributed to the injury. The landlord may argue that the crime was unpredictable or that the true blame lies with the criminal who carried it out.

Many of these cases turn on detailed evidence as a result of this complexity, such as police reports and expert testimony on security standards.

What Should I Do After a Shooting or Robbery in Arizona?

If you’ve been the victim of a crime on your rental property, taking the right steps immediately can help preserve your rights.

These include:

• Reporting the incident to law enforcement right away
• Notifying your landlord in writing of what happened
• Documenting the scene with photos or videos, if it is safe to do so
• Keeping copies of medical records and bills
• Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your legal options

Since Arizona has strict filing deadlines for personal injury claims (generally two years from the date of injury under A.R.S. § 12-542), acting quickly is important.

Contact the Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorneys at Orent Law Offices for Help Today

You may be able to sue your landlord after a shooting or robbery in Arizona, but success usually depends on proving that the landlord’s negligence contributed to the crime. These cases are rarely straightforward, as they require balancing the landlord’s duty of care with the actions of the criminal defendant.

For more information, contact the criminal defense attorney Craig Orent. Give us a call at (480) 656-7301 or visit our law office at 11811 N Tatum Blvd UNIT 3031, Phoenix, AZ 85028. We offer a free case evaluation, so get the help you deserve today.