Arizona Landlord-Tenant Laws
If you rent out property in Arizona, these are the rules you need to follow. This page covers the landlord-tenant statutes that come up most often: security deposits, late fees, eviction notice periods, and notice to enter. This is informational only — not legal advice. When in doubt, consult a Arizona landlord-tenant attorney.
| Security deposit cap | 1.5 months |
| Deposit return deadline | 14 business days |
| Late fee limit | Reasonable (typ. <$15/day) |
| Pay-or-quit notice | 5-day pay or quit |
| Notice to enter | 2 days |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days |
| Rent control | Prohibited statewide |
Key Rules at a Glance
- NOTENo statewide rent control (preempted by state law)
- IMPORTANTSecurity deposit capped at 1.5 months rent
- NOTEMust return deposit within 14 business days
- NOTE2 days advance notice required before entry
- NOTE10-day notice to cure material non-compliance before eviction filing
Security Deposits in Arizona
Arizona caps security deposits at 1.5 months. After move-out, landlords must return the deposit (with itemized deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond ordinary wear and tear) within 14 business days. Missing this deadline can expose you to penalties — in many states, the tenant can recover up to 2-3x the wrongfully withheld amount in court.
Best practice:document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out, keep all repair receipts, and send the itemized statement by certified mail.
Late Fees & Grace Periods
The Arizona late fee limit is Reasonable (typ. <$15/day). Late fees should always be specified in the written lease — charging a fee that isn't in the lease is unenforceable in most jurisdictions. Many landlords offer a 3-5 day grace period before the late fee triggers.
Eviction & Notice Periods
For non-payment of rent in Arizona, the standard pay-or-quit notice is 5-day pay or quit. To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause, give 30 days notice. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is illegal in every state — you must go through the court process.
Notice to Enter the Property
Arizona requires 2 days before a landlord enters an occupied rental for non-emergency reasons (repairs, showings, inspections). Emergencies (fire, gas leak, flooding) are an exception. Best practice: put the notice in writing — text or email is fine in most states.
Rent Control in Arizona
Prohibited statewide.
What Goes In a Arizona Lease
A solid Arizona lease should specify: monthly rent and due date, late fees and grace period, security deposit amount and return terms, lease length, who pays which utilities, pet policy and any pet deposit, parking arrangements, smoking rules, sublet policy, and any state-required disclosures (lead paint for pre-1978 units, mold disclosure where required).
PropertyNinja's lease generator includes Arizona-specific fields and supports e-signatures, so you can send a finalized lease to a tenant in under 5 minutes.
Disclaimer
This page is a quick reference for Arizona landlord-tenant law as of 2026. State laws change — always verify against current statutes (and any local ordinances) before taking action. PropertyNinja is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.