Landlord & Housing · free generator
Arizona Security Deposit Demand Letter
You moved out, you left the place in decent shape, and your deposit still has not come back. In Arizona, that is not a judgment call: under Arizona Revised Statutes section 33-1321, your former landlord generally has 14 business days to return your deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. This generator produces a demand letter that cites Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321 by name, states the legal deadline, and puts your landlord on notice that small claims court — where Arizona hears claims up to $3,500 — is the next stop. You do not need perfect English or a lawyer for this; the statute does the arguing. Fill in the blanks below, send it by certified mail, and keep a copy — the letter that cites the actual law is the one that gets answered.
[Date]
[Your former landlord's name]
Re: Demand for return of security deposit — [Rental property address]
Dear [Your former landlord's name],
I am writing to formally demand the return of my security deposit of [Deposit amount] for the property at [Rental property address], which I have vacated and returned to your possession.
Under Arizona Revised Statutes section 33-1321 (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321), you were required to return my security deposit, or provide a written itemized statement of any lawful deductions, within 14 business days. An itemized list of all deductions must be sent with any amount due, by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address, within the 14-business-day window; the tenant then has 60 days to dispute the accounting. Deductions for normal wear and tear are not permitted.
As of the date of this letter, I have received neither my deposit nor a lawful accounting for it. Please send the full amount of [Deposit amount] to my forwarding address: [Forwarding address for payment].
If I do not receive payment or a lawful written response within 10 days, I will file a claim in small claims court, where Arizona law allows claims up to $3,500, and I will pursue every remedy available under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321, including any statutory damages for wrongful retention.
I would prefer to resolve this without litigation. Prompt payment will close the matter.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
Know your rights
Security deposit law in Arizona
- Return deadline
- 14 business days
- Governing statute
- Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321
- When the clock starts
- The landlord has 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant. Because the statute keys the clock to the tenant's demand, tenants should demand the deposit in writing at move-out.
- Itemized deductions
- An itemized list of all deductions must be sent with any amount due, by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address, within the 14-business-day window; the tenant then has 60 days to dispute the accounting.
- If it's wrongfully kept
- For wrongful retention the tenant may recover the property and money due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld under § 33-1321(E).
- Small claims limit
- $3,500 (Justice Court small claims division; up to $10,000 in regular Justice Court)
Worth knowing: Arizona caps deposits at one and one-half months' rent unless the tenant volunteers more, and any fee not expressly labeled nonrefundable in writing is refundable. Landlords must furnish a move-in checklist documenting existing damage, and tenants have a statutory right to be notified of and present at the move-out inspection. Both tools are strong evidence if deductions are later disputed.
Last reviewed August 2026 · General information, not legal advice · Read the statute
Field notes
Three tips before you send
- Send it by certified mail with a return receipt — that dated record is the first exhibit a Arizona small claims judge will ask about. Keep a copy with your move-out photos and lease.
- The landlord has 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant. Because the statute keys the clock to the tenant's demand, tenants should demand the deposit in writing at move-out.
- If the deadline has already passed, skip the text-message negotiation. Filing in small claims ($3,500 (Justice Court small claims division; up to $10,000 in regular Justice Court)) usually costs under $75, and most landlords pay between the summons and the hearing.
Other states
Deposit letters for every state
Straight answers
Questions people ask
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Arizona?
The landlord has 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant. Because the statute keys the clock to the tenant's demand, tenants should demand the deposit in writing at move-out. The governing statute is Arizona Revised Statutes section 33-1321. An itemized list of all deductions must be sent with any amount due, by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address, within the 14-business-day window; the tenant then has 60 days to dispute the accounting.
What can I recover if my landlord wrongfully keeps my deposit in Arizona?
For wrongful retention the tenant may recover the property and money due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld under § 33-1321(E). These cases are built for small claims court — the Arizona limit is $3,500 (Justice Court small claims division; up to $10,000 in regular Justice Court), filing fees are modest, and no lawyer is needed.
Anything else Arizona renters should know about deposits?
Arizona caps deposits at one and one-half months' rent unless the tenant volunteers more, and any fee not expressly labeled nonrefundable in writing is refundable. Landlords must furnish a move-in checklist documenting existing damage, and tenants have a statutory right to be notified of and present at the move-out inspection. Both tools are strong evidence if deductions are later disputed.
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