Deposit laws by state · Arizona
Arizona security deposit laws.
Arizona caps deposits at 1.5 months' rent and gives landlords just 14 business days to send an itemized statement and refund. The tenant must request the inspection and accounting in writing — without the request, the standard refund deadline still applies but counterclaim risk drops.
Key rules
What Arizona landlords need to do.
- 1.
Maximum deposit + advance fees: 1.5 months' rent total.
- 2.
14 business days (calendar days for some interpretations) to refund deposit + itemized statement after move-out and notice.
- 3.
Tenant has the right to be present at the move-out inspection on written request.
- 4.
No requirement to hold deposit in a separate account.
- 5.
Wrongful withholding: 2× damages.
Common pitfalls
Where Arizona landlords lose deposit cases.
Charging a deposit + non-refundable fees totaling more than 1.5 months — the cap is total.
Calculating the 14-day deadline as calendar days when statute reads business days — courts split on this; play it safe with calendar days.
Refusing the tenant's inspection-presence request — statutory right.
Statute
Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1321
Read the statute on the Arizona legislature site →This page is a landlord-oriented summary, not legal advice. Local ordinances may impose stricter rules than state law. Consult a Arizona attorney before acting on a contested deposit dispute.
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Start your first report →Or use the free templateCommon questions
Arizona deposit FAQ.
- How long does a landlord have to return the security deposit in Arizona?
- 14 days after move-out, per Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1321. The clock typically starts when the tenant gives a forwarding address; check the statute for state-specific triggers.
- What's the maximum security deposit allowed in Arizona?
- 1.5 months' rent. Charging above the cap is unenforceable and exposes the landlord to penalties.
- What's the penalty for wrongfully withholding a deposit in Arizona?
- Twice the wrongfully withheld amount.
- Does Arizona require an itemized deduction statement?
- Yes. Arizona requires an itemized written statement listing each deduction with its cost. Sending a refund without itemization (when claiming any deductions) commonly triggers the wrongful-withholding penalty.
- Does Arizona require a pre-move-out inspection?
- Arizona does not require a pre-move-out inspection. Offering one anyway is good practice — it reduces dispute risk by giving the tenant a chance to remedy issues.