Arizona security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Arizona: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 14 business days under Arizona law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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Arizona security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

14 business days

Statute

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D), (E)

14 days EXCLUDING Saturdays, Sundays and other legal holidays — i.e. 14 BUSINESS days, roughly three calendar weeks, NOT 14 calendar days. The clock is conditioned on THREE things all occurring: (a) termination of the tenancy, (b) delivery of possession, and (c) DEMAND BY THE TENANT. Within that window the landlord must provide an itemized list of all deductions together with any amount due. Unless the tenant makes other arrangements in writing, the landlord must mail the list and any amount due by first class mail to the tenant's last known place of residence. SEPARATE TENANT DEADLINE: if the tenant does not dispute the deductions or amount due WITHIN 60 DAYS after the itemized list and amount are mailed, the amounts stated are deemed VALID AND FINAL and any further claims by the tenant are WAIVED.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Arizona?

Allowed

  • ✓All rent owed
  • ✓Subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate, all charges as specified in the signed lease agreement or as provided in the chapter
  • ✓Damages the landlord suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with A.R.S. § 33-1341
  • ✓Fees or deposits expressly designated as nonrefundable in writing

Not allowed

  • ✗Any fee or deposit not designated as nonrefundable in writing — it is refundable by default
  • ✗Charges not specified in the signed lease agreement or provided by the chapter

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Arizona?

Failure to comply with subsection D: the tenant may recover the property and money due together with damages equal to TWICE the amount WRONGFULLY WITHHELD. The multiplier attaches to the amount wrongfully withheld (not the whole deposit), and the statute does NOT require a showing of bad faith. § 33-1321(F) preserves other damages. Deposit separately capped at one and one-half months' rent.

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D), (E) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Arizona tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Arizona's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.

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What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.