# A.R.S. § 12-1173: 12-1173 Definition of forcible detainer; substitution of parties

> Arizona · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1173

## Section

- **Citation:** A.R.S. § 12-1173
- **Heading:** 12-1173 Definition of forcible detainer; substitution of parties
- **Jurisdiction:** Arizona
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Arizona Code / Title 12 / Chapter 8 / Article 4 / Section 1173

## Text

12-1173. Definition of forcible detainer; substitution of parties

There is a forcible detainer if:

1. A tenant at will or by sufferance or a tenant from month to month or a lesser period whose tenancy has been terminated retains possession after his tenancy has been terminated or after he receives written demand of possession by the landlord.

2. The tenant of a person who has made a forcible entry refuses for five days after written demand to give possession to the person upon whose possession the forcible entry was made.

3. A person who has made a forcible entry upon the possession of one who acquired such possession by forcible entry refuses for five days after written demand to give possession to the person upon whose possession the first forcible entry was made.

4. A person who has made a forcible entry upon the possession of a tenant for a term refuses to deliver possession to the landlord for five days after written demand, after the term expires. If the term expires while a writ of forcible entry applied for by the tenant is pending, the landlord may, at his own cost and for his own benefit, prosecute it in the name of the tenant.

## Nearby sections

- [A.R.S. § 12-1171 12-1171 Acts which constitute forcible entry or detainer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1171.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1172 12-1172 Definition of forcible entry](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1172.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1173 12-1173 Definition of forcible detainer; substitution of parties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1173.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1173.01 12-1173.01 Additional definition of forcible detainer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1173.01.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1174 12-1174 Immateriality of time possession obtained by tenant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1174.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1175 12-1175 Complaint and answer; service and return; notice and pleading requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1175.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1176 12-1176 Demand for jury; trial procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1176.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1177 12-1177 Trial and issue; postponement of trial](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1177.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1178 12-1178 Judgment; writ of restitution; limitation on issuance; criminal violation; notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1178.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1179 12-1179 Appeal to superior court; notice; bond](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1179.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1180 12-1180 Stay of proceedings on judgment; record on appeal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1180.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1181 12-1181 Trial and judgment on appeal; writ of restitution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1181.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1182 12-1182 Appeal to supreme court; stay and bond](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1182.md)
- [A.R.S. § 12-1183 12-1183 Proceedings no bar to certain actions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1183.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AZ_T12_C8_A4_S1173. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.