Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Arizona Statewide Rule

Arizona Security Deposit Law (A.R.S. § 33-1321)

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Arizona (2026)

Key Facts

Deposit cap
1.5 months' rent maximum
Return deadline
14 days (excluding weekends/holidays) after termination + tenant demand
Itemized statement
Required; mailed by first-class mail to last known address
Statute
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321
Penalty
Twice the amount wrongfully withheld
Last verified: August 20, 2026

Summary

Arizona caps security deposits at one and one-half month's rent. After the tenancy ends and the tenant requests it, a landlord has 14 days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to return the deposit with an itemized list of deductions. Wrongful retention exposes the landlord to damages of twice the amount withheld.

33-1321 . Security deposits A. A landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, including prepaid rent in an amount or value of more than one and one-half month's rent. This subsection does not prohibit a tenant from voluntarily paying more than one and one-half month's rent in advance. B. The purpose of all nonrefundable fees or deposits shall be stated in writing by the landlord. Any fee or deposit not designated as nonrefundable is refundable. C. On move in, a landlord shall furnish the tenant with a signed copy of the lease, a move-in form for specifying any existing damages to the dwelling unit and written notification to the tenant that the tenant may be present at the move-out inspection. On request by the tenant, the landlord shall notify the tenant when the landlord's move-out inspection will occur. If the tenant is being evicted for a material and irreparable breach and the landlord has reasonable cause to fear violence or intimidation on the part of the tenant, the landlord has no obligation to conduct a joint move-out inspection with the tenant. D. On termination of the tenancy, property or money held by the landlord as prepaid rent and security may be applied to the payment of all rent, and subject to a landlord's duty to mitigate, all charges as specified in the signed lease agreement, or as provided in this chapter, including the amount of damages which the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with section 33-1341.

Full Breakdown

Under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321, a landlord may not demand or receive security, including prepaid rent, exceeding "one and one-half month's rent," though a tenant may voluntarily prepay more. All nonrefundable fees must be designated in writing; any fee not labeled nonrefundable is refundable. On request, the landlord must notify the tenant of the move-out inspection. Within fourteen days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant, the landlord must provide an itemized list of all deductions plus any balance owed, mailed by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address. Allowed deductions cover unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Violations & Penalties

If a landlord wrongfully retains a deposit, A.R.S. § 33-1321(D)–(E) lets the tenant recover the property and money due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. A landlord who complies in good faith with the statute is not liable for these double damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arizona?
No more than one and one-half (1.5) months' rent, including any prepaid rent, under A.R.S. § 33-1321. A tenant may voluntarily choose to prepay more, but the landlord cannot require it.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Arizona?
Fourteen days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered, and the tenant demands the deposit. The landlord must include an itemized list of any deductions.
What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Arizona?
Unpaid rent and the cost of repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear. Every deduction must appear on a written itemized statement. Nonrefundable fees only apply if the landlord designated them in writing as nonrefundable.

Sources

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.