landlord tenant; settlement conferences

HB 2835 requires mandatory settlement conferences for certain eviction cases in Arizona before a trial can proceed. It applies to landlords seeking eviction for unpaid rent (under ARS 33-1368(B)) or material lease violations (under ARS 33-1368(A)), mandating that both parties attend a court meeting five days after the eviction notice is served. At the conference, they must bring lease agreements, payment records, and other relevant documents; failure to attend results in dismissal (landlord) or default judgment (tenant). If unresolved, the case moves to an eviction hearing five business days after the conference, streamlining the process while requiring courts to track and report settlement outcomes.