AMA's Legislative Victories
Legislative Victories
Fighting for Arizona's Apartment Industry Since 1966
Major Achievements
Did you know...
With the passage of the elimination of rent tax our residents are saving over $160M annually. Now those funds can go back into the economy benefiting all of Arizona.
$4 Billion and Counting...
In 1989, the AMA successfully enacted property tax reform that changed the state assessment ratio for Class 4 (rental) property from 15% to 10%, which has saved the Arizona rental housing industry over
$4 billionto date.
Timeline of Success
40+ Industry-Killing Bills Defeated
Successfully defeated direct attacks on rental housing and owners including rent control, rent caps, inclusionary zoning, elimination of criminal background checks, expansion of fair housing including source of income, requiring 100-year assured water certificates for new BTR communities, mandatory eviction mediation, limits on fees and elimination of dog breed restrictions.
Cutting Red Tape
Successfully passed legislation requiring cities and towns to administratively approve design plans, site plans and final site plans instead of via public hearing, getting apartments to market faster.
30+ Industry-Killing Bills Defeated
Successfully defeated direct attacks on rental housing and owners including rent control, rent caps, inclusionary zoning, elimination of criminal background checks, expansion of fair housing including source of income, requiring 100-year assured water certificates for new BTR communities, mandatory eviction mediation, limits on fees and elimination of dog breed restrictions.
Commercial to Apartment Construction
Successfully passed bi-partisan legislation paving the way to expedite development of new apartments using commercial buildings or demolishing and redeveloping commercial parcels. Early estimates anticipate 150,000 new units can be built by-right without the lengthy entitlement process.
Arizona Housing Trust Fund
Successfully advocated for $150M in the Arizona budget for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for new construction and expansion of homelessness services.
Arizona Ground Water Act
Defeated legislation that would have required that build to rent communities get a 100-year assured water supply certificate if developing in a local jurisdiction that does not have an assured water supply.
Sales Tax on Residential Rent
Successfully assisted in eliminating the sales tax on rent. Saving AZ renters $160M annually. Saving owners and property managers the administrative pain of monthly tax reporting to the Arizona Department of Revenue.
Housing Supply Study Committee
Successfully created an eleven-member Housing Supply Study Committee to examine the barriers for new housing development that will report its findings to the Arizona Legislature.
State Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
Successfully created a state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to provide $160 million for affordable housing construction.
Virtual Court
Successfully enacted legislation to enable all parties in a court hearing to appear virtually, allowing property owners greater access to the courts.
Court Rules and Orders
Successfully enacted legislation to prohibit Court rules and administrative orders from abridging, enlarging or modifying statutory, contractual or common law real property rights.
Zoning Ordinances
Partnered with key development stakeholders to pass legislation to require cities and towns to consider the cost impact of any zoning amendment on housing for sale or rent.
Abandoned Pets
Successfully enacted legislation to provide new remedies for property owners to quickly remove an animal from the rental unit and release the animal to a family member or a shelter.
Partial Payments of Rent
Successfully enacted legislation to clarify that certain housing vouchers do not constitute rent.
Rent Tax Notification
Successfully enacted legislation to require cities and towns to provide rental property owners with written notification of any new residential rental tax 60 days prior to the new tax rate taking effect.
Abandoned Pets and Property
Successfully enacted legislation to provide guidance on how to handle abandoned pets and property in rental units and to reduce the holding period of abandoned property from 21 to 14 days.
GPLET
Protected Arizona's premier development incentive known as the Government Property Lease Excise Tax.
Apartment Finder Fee
Successfully enacted legislation to remove all caps on apartment finder fees.
Mandatory Court Forms
Successfully enacted legislation to prevent Courts from requiring landlords to use certain forms for all notices and pleadings in eviction related matters.
Rent Control
Defeated legislation that would have authorized municipalities to adopt "rent control" ordinances.
Energy Benchmarking
Successfully enacted legislation to prohibit municipalities from adopting ordinances that require property owners to report their energy usage to a governmental body.
Mandatory Recycling
Successfully enacted legislation to prohibit cities and towns from adopting mandatory recycling programs.
Solid Waste Services
Successfully enacted legislation to allow multi-family operators to select a private enterprise solid waste or recycling service provider in all Arizona cities and towns by July 1, 2016.
Inclusionary Zoning
Successfully enacted legislation to prohibit municipalities from adopting inclusionary zoning ordinances.