Arizona Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for Arizona landlords: how much you can hold, the 14-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to Arizona's rules.
Deposit cap
1.5 months' rent
Refund deadline
14 days
14 business days after move-out.
Interest required?
No
No statewide interest requirement.
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Tenant may recover up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
Statute: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321
Arizona security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to Arizona's 14-day deadline. Enter the deposit and any deductions to see the refund and the exact due date.
Itemized deductions
Result
$1,500.00
Amount owed back to the tenant
- Deposit held
- $1,500.00
- Total deductions
- −$0.00
Legal deadline in Arizona
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 14 days of move-out.
14 business days after move-out.
How to return a security deposit in Arizona
- 1
Inspect and document the unit
As soon as the tenant moves out, photograph every room and compare it against the move-in condition. In Arizona, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. Arizona — like nearly every state — can bar a landlord from keeping any of the deposit if deductions aren't itemized in a written statement.
- 3
Confirm no interest is required
No statewide interest requirement. That means you generally return the deposit minus documented deductions, with no added interest.
- 4
Return the balance within 14 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 14 days of move-out. 14 business days after move-out. Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
Arizona security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arizona?
1.5 months' rent.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Arizona?
A landlord generally has 14 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. 14 business days after move-out.
Is interest required on security deposits in Arizona?
No statewide interest requirement.
Does Arizona require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
Arizona does not impose a statewide separate-account requirement, though keeping deposits separate is still good practice.
What happens if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in Arizona?
Tenant may recover up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
Related free tools
Deposit laws in other states
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321) or with a local attorney before relying on it.