If you own a rental home in the Phoenix area but live in another state, you need four things: an Arizona statutory agent on file with the county assessor (required by A.R.S. 33-1902), a local team that can answer maintenance emergencies 24/7, a reliable way to see your money and documents online, and someone you trust to walk the property. A local property manager can cover all four. Property Plus USA plans start at $75 a month, with owner statements, ACH deposits and documents in the Rentvine owner portal.

Updated October 2026.

The Arizona requirements out-of-state owners often miss

Register the rental and name a statutory agent

Arizona requires owners of residential rental property to register it with the county assessor (A.R.S. 33-1902). If you live outside Arizona, you must also designate an Arizona statutory agent who can accept legal service for you, with the agent’s name, address and phone number on file.

• Maricopa County uses a registration form with a $10 fee. Homes in Pinal County register with the Pinal County Assessor.
• Updates are due within 10 days of any change, such as a new mailing address or a new agent.
• A city or town can impose penalties for unregistered rentals, including $1,000 plus $100 a month for newly acquired homes. Penalties are dismissed if you comply within 10 days of the violation notice.

Tell the tenant who manages the home

Under A.R.S. 33-1322, the tenant must receive, in writing, the name and address of the person managing the home and of an owner or agent authorized to accept legal notices. That information must stay current. When you live elsewhere, that contact is often your manager.

Know where you file taxes

• No rental TPT. The Arizona Department of Revenue eliminated transaction privilege tax on residential rentals effective January 1, 2025. Rental-only licenses were canceled automatically.
• Arizona income tax. Rent from Arizona property is Arizona-source income. According to the Arizona Department of Revenue’s 2025 Form 140NR instructions, nonresidents must file when gross income exceeds the threshold for their filing status ($15,750 single, $31,500 married filing jointly), multiplied by the share of federal income that comes from Arizona sources.
• Federal. Rental income and expenses go on Schedule E. IRS Publication 527 allows travel expenses when the main purpose of a trip is collecting rent or managing, conserving or maintaining the property.

This isn’t tax or legal advice. A CPA who works with multi-state filers can confirm what applies to you.

The practical problems of owning from a distance

Emergencies don’t wait

In a Phoenix summer, an air conditioner failure is urgent. So is a burst supply line or a roof leak during monsoon season. An owner two time zones away can’t easily find, vet and dispatch a vendor at 10 p.m. Property Plus USA provides 24/7 emergency maintenance response and coordinates repairs with vendors who work in the Valley.

You can’t see the home

When you can’t drive by, problems such as unauthorized occupants, yard neglect or a slow leak can go unnoticed for months. Our move-in and move-out inspections document condition at each turnover. The Property Plus plan adds 2 interior and 2 drive-by HomeCare Checks every year.

Leasing takes local presence

Showings, lockbox access, move-in walk-throughs and key handoffs all happen on site. We handle pricing, marketing (including ARMLS, the Phoenix-area MLS), showings, screening and the lease.

Money and records need to be visible

With Property Plus USA, you get:

• Online rent collection from tenants
• ACH direct deposit to your bank account
• Monthly owner statements and year-end statements for your tax preparer
• The Rentvine owner portal for statements, documents and property information

Worked example: plan costs at $3,200 rent

Many out-of-state owners hold higher-rent homes in places like Scottsdale or Chandler. At $3,200 a month, the first year with one new tenant on each plan costs:

• Basic ($75 flat): $75 x 12 = $900, + $500 leasing + $199 file setup + $200 realtor commission = $1,799
• Traditional (8%): $3,200 x 8% = $256 a month; $256 x 12 = $3,072, + $500 leasing = $3,572
• Property Plus (10%): $3,200 x 10% = $320 a month; $320 x 12 = $3,840, + $500 leasing = $4,340

For a remote owner, the Property Plus plan’s extras carry more weight. Landlord protection up to $50,000 when we place the tenant covers lost rent during an eviction (up to 2.5 months, or $8,000 at this rent) and tenant skips (up to 2 months, or $6,400). The four yearly HomeCare Checks put eyes on a home you rarely see.

How to vet a manager from out of state

You’ll probably hire without meeting in person, so ask:

• Who is the designated broker, and what is the license number? (Ours: Kirsten Shafer, BR535992000.)
• How are emergencies handled after hours and on weekends?
• What approval limit applies to repairs before they call you?
• What do monthly statements show, and when are funds deposited?
• How often is the home inspected, and do you get photos?
• What are all the fees, and how is the agreement cancelled? Arizona requires these terms in the management agreement (A.R.S. 32-2173).

Getting started from a distance

Most of the setup can happen by phone and email:

• Rental analysis. We price the home from nearby leased comparables and talk through the plans.
• Agreement. You review a written management agreement that lists every fee and the cancellation terms.
• Paperwork. Confirm your assessor registration and statutory agent, and we help with HOA registration.
• Access. Arrange keys, remotes and utilities for the make-ready period.
• Portal. Set up ACH and log in to the Rentvine owner portal so statements reach you from day one.

Selling or keeping later

Owners who moved away often keep a former home as a rental. If you are weighing a sale, talk with a tax professional about how rental use affects the home-sale exclusion and depreciation before you decide.

Manage your Arizona rental from anywhere

Learn what working with us looks like on our owner page, compare plans on our pricing page, or call 480-586-3700 (Mon–Fri 9–5) for a free rental analysis. We manage single-family homes across the Phoenix metro and Pinal County, including Scottsdale and Chandler.

Frequently asked questions