Arizona security deposit law
Security Deposit Laws in Arizona
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When did you move out?
This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.
Statute-verified in 50 U.S. jurisdictions and counting — everywhere else, a specialist prepares your case by hand until verification clears.
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. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
- 2. We generate a demand letter citing Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D), (E) and your exact deadline.
- 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
- 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.
$39 per case — founding price, one flat fee, no subscription.
Arizona tenant rights resources
- HUD — tenant rights and resources
- Find your state's consumer protection / Attorney General office
- Key statute: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D), (E) — verified against the official text on 2026-09-04.
Every fact on this page is verified against Arizona's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.
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See what you're owed
FREE · 30 secondsYour money is due back
14 business days
Arizona law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.
If they wrongfully withhold
up to 2× your deposit
Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D), (E) — verified against the official statute 2026-09-04
Your 14 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 2× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.
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Used by renters in 4 states — 15 people in the past two weeks found out exactly what they're owed this way.
We don't stop at mailing it. If your landlord doesn't respond, we follow up at day 7 and day 14 — and help you build the evidence and paperwork for small claims if it comes to that. Real result: we helped Kathleen A. (Ohio) recover her full $3,000 deposit this way.
Pay once. We handle the rest.
One case, one price — the letter, the certified mailing, the tracking, and the follow-up. No subscription, no recurring anything.
| Option | Price | Effort | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | — | All of it | You chase |
| TenantNex | $39 | Done for you | We chase |
| Small-claims services | $149–448 | — | — |
| Hire an attorney | $300–2,000+ | — | — |
An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.
Recover
We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.
- Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
- Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
- Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
- Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
- Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
- Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
- Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
- Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days
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What TenantNex is — and isn't
TenantNex is 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.