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Arizona security deposit demand letter
In Arizona, after the tenancy ends, the tenant returns possession, and the tenant demands the deposit, the landlord has 14 days — not counting Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays — to provide an itemized list of deductions and any amount due. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the money due together with damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
Laws change. Read the official source and confirm it still applies to your tenancy. Local ordinances are not summarized here. This page is not legal advice.
Return deadline
14 days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, after termination, return of possession, and a demand.
A.R.S. § 33-1321(D) says that within fourteen days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or other legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant, the landlord shall provide an itemized list of all deductions together with the amount due and payable to the tenant, if any. Unless other arrangements are made in writing by the tenant, the landlord shall mail the list and any amount due by first-class mail to the tenant's last known place of residence.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D). Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 33-1321. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
If the deposit is kept improperly
Twice the amount wrongfully withheld, along with the property and money due.
A.R.S. § 33-1321(E) says that if the landlord fails to comply with subsection D, the tenant may recover the property and money due the tenant together with damages in an amount equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(E). Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 33-1321. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Itemized deductions
Yes. An itemized list of all deductions must accompany any refund.
Section 33-1321(D) requires an itemized list of all deductions together with the amount due and payable to the tenant, if any.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D). Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 33-1321. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Forwarding address
The refund is mailed to the last known residence unless the tenant arranges something else in writing.
Section 33-1321(D) says that unless other arrangements are made in writing by the tenant, the landlord shall mail the itemized list and any amount due, by first-class mail, to the tenant's last known place of residence. The clock itself runs from termination, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant, not from a separate forwarding-address form.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D). Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 33-1321. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Written demand before a case
A demand by the tenant is one of the events that starts the 14-day period. The statute says “demand,” not “written demand.”
Section 33-1321(D) starts the fourteen-day period after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant. The word in the statute is “demand.” It does not say the demand must be a formal letter.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D). Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 33-1321. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Free sample with blanks
Copy this outline and fill the brackets yourself. The statute sentence is from the checked note above, not from a generated draft.
[Date] [Your name] [Your current address] [Landlord name] [Landlord address] Re: Return of security deposit for [rental address] Dear [Landlord name], I rented [rental address] from [move-in date] through [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[deposit]. You have returned $[amount already returned]. I am asking for the remaining $[balance]. What happened: [Describe the move-out, the condition of the unit, and any list of deductions you did or did not receive. Two or three sentences are enough.] Under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D), 14 days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, after termination, return of possession, and a demand. Twice the amount wrongfully withheld, along with the property and money due. Please pay $[balance] within [14] days by [check or money order]. I can provide [receipts, photos, the lease, or messages]. Sincerely, [Your name] Sample note: the statute sentences above come from Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 33-1321, last verified 2026-11-10. Laws change. This sample is a formatting example, not legal advice.
Official and free resources
- A.R.S. § 33-1321 — Official Arizona Revised Statutes text.
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