Arizona Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Arizona, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Arizona. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | The Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10) applies to the rental of dwelling units located in Arizona. Unless set up to avoid the act, it does not cover, among other listed arrangements, a buyer living in the home under a contract of sale, transient stays in a hotel, motel or recreational lodging, a landlord's employee housed as a manager or custodian, condominium owners and cooperative proprietary-lease holders, or public housing. The general landlord-tenant chapter (Title 33, Chapter 3) does not govern dwelling-unit rentals, which Chapter 10 or 11 governs. A.R.S. §§ 33-1301, 33-1304, 33-1307, 33-1308, 33-381 |
| Security deposit limit | No more than one and one-half month's rent, counting prepaid rent; a tenant may still choose to pay more rent in advance. A reasonable charge for redecorating or cleaning is not counted as security. A.R.S. §§ 33-1321(A), 33-1310(15) |
| Where deposits are held | No separate-account requirement in A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10. During the tenancy the landlord may use refundable deposits as any applicable property management agreement allows; at the end of the tenancy all refundable deposits must be refunded under § 33-1321. A.R.S. § 33-1321(G); Title 33, Ch. 10 (no account provision) |
| Returning the deposit | Within 14 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays or other legal holidays, after the tenancy ends, the tenant returns the keys and vacates, and the tenant asks for the deposit, the landlord must provide an itemized list of all deductions and any amount due. Unless the tenant arranges otherwise in writing, both go by first-class mail to the tenant's last known residence. If the tenant does not dispute them within 60 days after mailing, they are final. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the money due plus damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld. A.R.S. § 33-1321(D), (E) |
| Deposit deductions | Prepaid rent and security may be applied to all rent and, subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate, to charges set out in the signed lease or the act, including damages from the tenant's failure to meet the tenant's duties under § 33-1341. Deductions must be itemized (see above). The purpose of any nonrefundable fee or deposit must be stated in writing; any fee or deposit not designated nonrefundable is refundable. A.R.S. § 33-1321(B), (D) |
| Interest on deposits | |
| Landlord entry notice | At least two days' notice of the landlord's intent to enter, except in an emergency or where that is impracticable; entry only at reasonable times. The landlord may enter without consent in an emergency, and the tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs, services or showings. A tenant's service or maintenance request is permission to enter for that request only and waives a separate notice. A.R.S. § 33-1343(A)-(D) |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (week-to-week: at least 10 days before the termination date named in the notice). Unless the rental agreement fixes a definite term, the tenancy is month-to-month (week-to-week for a roomer who pays weekly rent). A.R.S. §§ 33-1375(A), (B), 33-1314(D) |
| Rent-increase notice | No notice period in A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10. A landlord may not raise rent to retaliate after a tenant complains to a building or housing code agency about a violation materially affecting health and safety, complains to the landlord of a violation under § 33-1324, or organizes or joins a tenants' union; a complaint within the six months before creates a presumption of retaliation. A.R.S. § 33-1381(A), (B); A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10 (no notice provision) |
| Late fees | No dollar or percentage limit and no grace period in A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10. To reinstate the lease after a nonpayment notice, the tenant pays past-due rent and a reasonable late fee set out in a written rental agreement (after an eviction case is filed, also attorney fees and court costs). An eviction judgment for the landlord includes late charges stated in the rental agreement. A.R.S. §§ 33-1368(B), 33-1377(F); A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10 (no limit) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may give written notice of nonpayment and of the intent to end the rental agreement if rent is not paid within five calendar days; if the tenant does not pay, the landlord may end the agreement by filing a special detainer (eviction) action. A tenant may not withhold rent for any reason the act does not authorize. A.R.S. § 33-1368(B), (G) |
| Rent control | Cities, including charter cities, and towns may not control rents on private residential property; this does not apply to residential property owned, financed, insured or subsidized by a state agency or a city or town. A.R.S. § 33-1329(A), (B) |
| Required landlord disclosures | In writing at or before the start of the tenancy: the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and of an owner or agent for service of process and notices, and notice that the act is available on the Arizona Department of Housing's website. At move-in: a signed copy of the lease, a move-in form for noting existing damage, and written notice that the tenant may be present at the move-out inspection; a written rental agreement must have all blanks completed. A rental agreement must list utility services charged separately and any administrative fee for submetering or ratio utility billing. Except for single-family residences: bedbug educational materials to existing and new tenants, and no lease of a unit the landlord knows has a current bedbug infestation. A rental agreement entered into after a foreclosure action has started must include a written notice of possible foreclosure (not required for four or more connected units). A.R.S. §§ 33-1322(A), (B), (E), 33-1321(C), 33-1314.01(B), 33-1319(A), (D), 33-1331(A), (D) Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. These are the same classes as the federal Fair Housing Act, which says "handicap" for disability. A.R.S. §§ 41-1491.14(A), 41-1491.19(A); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Arizona listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arizona?
No more than one and one-half month's rent, counting prepaid rent; a tenant may still choose to pay more rent in advance. A reasonable charge for redecorating or cleaning is not counted as security. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Arizona landlord have to return a security deposit?
Within 14 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays or other legal holidays, after the tenancy ends, the tenant returns the keys and vacates, and the tenant asks for the deposit, the landlord must provide an itemized list of all deductions and any amount due. Unless the tenant arranges otherwise in writing, both go by first-class mail to the tenant's last known residence. If the tenant does not dispute them within 60 days after mailing, they are final. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the money due plus damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Arizona landlord give before entering?
At least two days' notice of the landlord's intent to enter, except in an emergency or where that is impracticable; entry only at reasonable times. The landlord may enter without consent in an emergency, and the tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs, services or showings. A tenant's service or maintenance request is permission to enter for that request only and waives a separate notice. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Arizona?
Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (week-to-week: at least 10 days before the termination date named in the notice). Unless the rental agreement fixes a definite term, the tenancy is month-to-month (week-to-week for a roomer who pays weekly rent). See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Arizona?
No notice period in A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10. A landlord may not raise rent to retaliate after a tenant complains to a building or housing code agency about a violation materially affecting health and safety, complains to the landlord of a violation under § 33-1324, or organizes or joins a tenants' union; a complaint within the six months before creates a presumption of retaliation. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Arizona landlord charge for late rent?
No dollar or percentage limit and no grace period in A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10. To reinstate the lease after a nonpayment notice, the tenant pays past-due rent and a reasonable late fee set out in a written rental agreement (after an eviction case is filed, also attorney fees and court costs). An eviction judgment for the landlord includes late charges stated in the rental agreement. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Arizona landlord give when rent is unpaid?
If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may give written notice of nonpayment and of the intent to end the rental agreement if rent is not paid within five calendar days; if the tenant does not pay, the landlord may end the agreement by filing a special detainer (eviction) action. A tenant may not withhold rent for any reason the act does not authorize. See the source in the table above.
Does Arizona have rent control?
Cities, including charter cities, and towns may not control rents on private residential property; this does not apply to residential property owned, financed, insured or subsidized by a state agency or a city or town. See the source in the table above.
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