Arizona · Renters' rights · Updated Oct 2026
Arizona tenant rights
Security deposits, repairs, landlord entry, notices and evictions in Arizona, in plain English from official sources, with free tools to get your deposit back and ask for repairs.
Guides for Arizona renters
Security deposit
Limit, deadline, deductions, penalty and the calculator.
Repairs
The landlord's duty, repair and deduct, withholding rent and a repair letter.
Eviction
Notice periods, court deadlines, illegal lockouts and a timeline tool.
Security deposit in Arizona
- Limit
- One and a half months' rent (all security and prepaid rent combined). You may choose to prepay more rent voluntarily.
- Deadline to return it
- Within 14 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the tenancy ends, you give back possession, AND you ask for the deposit. The landlord mails the itemized list and any refund by first-class mail to your last known address unless you arrange otherwise in writing. Ask for it in writing when you move out.
- Itemized list
- Yes. The landlord must send an itemized list of all deductions with the amount due to you. If you do not dispute it within 60 days after it is mailed, it becomes final. Receipts are not required by the statute.
- What may be deducted
- Unpaid rent, charges listed in your signed lease or allowed by the Act (subject to the landlord's duty to try to re-rent), and damages caused by your failure to meet your duties under § 33-1341. Any fee or deposit not stated in writing as nonrefundable is refundable.
- Interest
- No. The statute does not require interest.
- Move-in checklist
- Yes. At move-in the landlord must give you a move-in form to note existing damage and a written notice that you may be present at the move-out inspection. If you ask, the landlord must tell you when the move-out inspection will happen.
- If the landlord keeps it wrongly
- If the landlord does not follow the return rules, you can recover the money due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
How to get your deposit back
- Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
- Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Arizona: The landlord mails the itemized list and any refund by first-class mail to your last known address unless you arrange otherwise in writing.
- Wait for the deadline: Within 14 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the tenancy ends, you give back possession, AND you ask for the deposit.
- If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
- If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $5,000, not counting interest and costs (raised from $3,500 in 2025). Small claims court in Arizona on Small Claims Map
Repairs in Arizona
- The landlord's duty
- The landlord must follow building codes affecting health and safety, make all repairs needed to keep the unit fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep electrical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and appliances working, provide trash containers, and supply running water, hot water, reasonable heat, and air-conditioning or cooling where installed. A.R.S. § 33-1324.
- How to ask for repairs
- Give written notice describing the problem. For major problems, a written notice can say the lease ends in 10 days if not fixed (5 days for health-and-safety problems) under § 33-1361. For repair-and-deduct, the landlord has 10 days after written notice.
- Repair and deduct
- Yes, for minor defects. If the fix costs less than $300 or half a month's rent (whichever is greater), give the landlord written notice. If the landlord does not fix it within 10 days (sooner in an emergency), you may have a licensed contractor do the work, give the landlord an itemized statement and a lien waiver, and deduct the actual reasonable cost from rent. The problem must affect fitness and habitability. A.R.S. § 33-1363. For failed water, gas, electricity, hot water, heat, or air-conditioning, after notice you may buy the service and deduct the cost, or pay the landlord's delinquent utility bill and deduct it (§ 33-1364).
- Withholding rent
- Not allowed except as the Act authorizes (repair-and-deduct, essential services). A.R.S. § 33-1368(B). For essential service failures you may also move to substitute housing and stop paying rent during the outage (§ 33-1364).
- Law
- A.R.S. §§ 33-1324, 33-1361, 33-1363, 33-1364
Landlord entry in Arizona
At least 2 days' notice, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. If you ask for a repair, your request counts as permission to enter to do that repair without a separate notice. A.R.S. § 33-1343.
Eviction in Arizona
- Notice for unpaid rent
- 5-day written notice to pay. The 5 days are calendar days (weekends count; A.R.S. § 33-1368(G)). If you pay all past-due rent plus a reasonable late fee from a written lease before the landlord files, the lease is reinstated. After filing, you must also pay attorney fees and court costs. After judgment, reinstatement is up to the landlord. A.R.S. § 33-1368(B).
- Notice for a lease violation
- 10-day notice to cure for a material lease violation; 5-day notice to cure for a health-and-safety violation (calendar days). If the same or a similar violation happens again during the lease, the landlord can file 10 days after a written notice, with no chance to cure. For a 'material and irreparable' breach (for example violence, drug activity, weapons, serious property damage), immediate termination and a trial within 3 days. Some false statements on the rental application (criminal or eviction record) cannot be cured. A.R.S. §§ 33-1368(A), 33-1377(E).
- Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- Landlord or tenant: at least 30 days' written notice before the rent due date. Week-to-week: 10 days. A.R.S. § 33-1375.
- Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit
- The summons sets a trial/return date 3 to 6 days after it is issued, and you must be served at least 2 days before. You answer at that court date. The court can postpone up to 3 days (justice court) for good cause. A.R.S. § 33-1377.
- Lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Yes. If the landlord unlawfully locks you out or willfully cuts off electricity, gas, water or another essential service, you can get back in or end the lease and recover up to two months' rent or twice your actual damages, whichever is greater. A.R.S. §§ 33-1364(C), 33-1367.
- Court self-help
- The court's eviction self-help page
- Law
- A.R.S. §§ 33-1367, 33-1368, 33-1375, 33-1377
Rent increases and rent control in Arizona
- Notice of a rent increase
- No statute sets a rent-increase notice period. For month-to-month tenancies, the 30-day notice in § 33-1375 effectively applies to changes; rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it.
- Rent control
- No statewide rent cap. Cities and towns may not control rents (A.R.S. § 33-1329).
Late fees in Arizona
No specific cap. The late fee must be reasonable and stated in a written rental agreement (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)).
Retaliation in Arizona
The landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or file or threaten eviction because you complained to a code agency, complained to the landlord about repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation (not if you complained after getting a termination notice). Remedies: a defense to eviction plus up to two months' rent or twice actual damages. The landlord can still evict for unpaid rent. A.R.S. § 33-1381.
Small claims court in Arizona
Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer.
Limit: $5,000, not counting interest and costs (raised from $3,500 in 2025).
Where to get free help in Arizona
Good to know in Arizona
- Ask for your deposit in writing when you move out: the 14-business-day clock starts only after you give back the unit and make the demand.
- If you pay all overdue rent and a reasonable late fee before the landlord files in court, the lease is reinstated.
- Repair-and-deduct is allowed for small fixes (up to $300 or half a month's rent, whichever is greater) using a licensed contractor.
Recent law changes
Small claims limit raised from $3,500 to $5,000 in 2025. HB 2357 (2025) proposed adding notice-of-assistance requirements to §§ 33-1322 and 33-1368, but the current § 33-1368 text does not include them, so it appears not to have become law. No other 2024-2026 changes confirmed in the sections reviewed.
Free tools for Arizona renters
Pre-set for Arizona. They run in your browser and send nothing.
Deposit return calculator for Arizona
Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Security deposit demand letter for Arizona
A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.
Repair request letter for Arizona
Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.
Eviction notice timeline for Arizona
Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.
This is not legal advice. Eviction deadlines are short and missing one can cost you your home. Read your notice carefully and contact legal aid or your court's self-help center right away.
Questions about renters' rights in Arizona
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arizona?
One and a half months' rent (all security and prepaid rent combined). You may choose to prepay more rent voluntarily.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Arizona?
Within 14 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the tenancy ends, you give back possession, AND you ask for the deposit. The landlord mails the itemized list and any refund by first-class mail to your last known address unless you arrange otherwise in writing. Ask for it in writing when you move out.
What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in Arizona?
If the landlord does not follow the return rules, you can recover the money due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Arizona?
Unpaid rent, charges listed in your signed lease or allowed by the Act (subject to the landlord's duty to try to re-rent), and damages caused by your failure to meet your duties under § 33-1341. Any fee or deposit not stated in writing as nonrefundable is refundable.
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Arizona?
No. The statute does not require interest.
How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Arizona?
Give written notice describing the problem. For major problems, a written notice can say the lease ends in 10 days if not fixed (5 days for health-and-safety problems) under § 33-1361. For repair-and-deduct, the landlord has 10 days after written notice.
Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Arizona?
Yes, for minor defects. If the fix costs less than $300 or half a month's rent (whichever is greater), give the landlord written notice. If the landlord does not fix it within 10 days (sooner in an emergency), you may have a licensed contractor do the work, give the landlord an itemized statement and a lien waiver, and deduct the actual reasonable cost from rent. The problem must affect fitness and habitability. A.R.S. § 33-1363. For failed water, gas, electricity, hot water, heat, or air-conditioning, after notice you may buy the service and deduct the cost, or pay the landlord's delinquent utility bill and deduct it (§ 33-1364).
Can I withhold rent for repairs in Arizona?
Not allowed except as the Act authorizes (repair-and-deduct, essential services). A.R.S. § 33-1368(B). For essential service failures you may also move to substitute housing and stop paying rent during the outage (§ 33-1364).
How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Arizona?
At least 2 days' notice, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. If you ask for a repair, your request counts as permission to enter to do that repair without a separate notice. A.R.S. § 33-1343.
How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in Arizona?
5-day written notice to pay. The 5 days are calendar days (weekends count; A.R.S. § 33-1368(G)). If you pay all past-due rent plus a reasonable late fee from a written lease before the landlord files, the lease is reinstated. After filing, you must also pay attorney fees and court costs. After judgment, reinstatement is up to the landlord. A.R.S. § 33-1368(B).
How much notice for a lease violation in Arizona?
10-day notice to cure for a material lease violation; 5-day notice to cure for a health-and-safety violation (calendar days). If the same or a similar violation happens again during the lease, the landlord can file 10 days after a written notice, with no chance to cure. For a 'material and irreparable' breach (for example violence, drug activity, weapons, serious property damage), immediate termination and a trial within 3 days. Some false statements on the rental application (criminal or eviction record) cannot be cured. A.R.S. §§ 33-1368(A), 33-1377(E).
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in Arizona?
Landlord or tenant: at least 30 days' written notice before the rent due date. Week-to-week: 10 days. A.R.S. § 33-1375.
How long do I have to respond to an eviction lawsuit in Arizona?
The summons sets a trial/return date 3 to 6 days after it is issued, and you must be served at least 2 days before. You answer at that court date. The court can postpone up to 3 days (justice court) for good cause. A.R.S. § 33-1377.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Arizona?
Yes. If the landlord unlawfully locks you out or willfully cuts off electricity, gas, water or another essential service, you can get back in or end the lease and recover up to two months' rent or twice your actual damages, whichever is greater. A.R.S. §§ 33-1364(C), 33-1367.
How much notice is needed for a rent increase in Arizona?
No statute sets a rent-increase notice period. For month-to-month tenancies, the 30-day notice in § 33-1375 effectively applies to changes; rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it.
Is there rent control in Arizona?
No statewide rent cap. Cities and towns may not control rents (A.R.S. § 33-1329).
Is there a limit on late fees in Arizona?
No specific cap. The late fee must be reasonable and stated in a written rental agreement (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)).
Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Arizona?
The landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or file or threaten eviction because you complained to a code agency, complained to the landlord about repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation (not if you complained after getting a termination notice). Remedies: a defense to eviction plus up to two months' rent or twice actual damages. The landlord can still evict for unpaid rent. A.R.S. § 33-1381.
What is the small claims limit in Arizona?
$5,000, not counting interest and costs (raised from $3,500 in 2025).
- A.R.S. § 33-1321
- A.R.S. § 33-1324 Landlord to maintain fit premises
- A.R.S. § 33-1363 Self-help for minor defects
- A.R.S. § 33-1361 Noncompliance by the landlord
- A.R.S. § 33-1368 Noncompliance by tenant; failure to pay rent
- A.R.S. § 33-1377 Special detainer actions
- A.R.S. § 33-1381 Retaliatory conduct prohibited
- A.R.S. § 33-1329 Regulation of rents
Last checked: Oct 2026.