Sources checked:
Quick answer. Arizona: deposit capped at 1.5 months of rent; deposit returned within 14 business days; 30-day notice to end month-to-month; 5-day notice for unpaid rent; 48-hour entry notice; $3,500 small claims limit. 17 of 23 items are confirmed on official pages; 6 are marked not confirmed, with the page to check.
Key numbers
- Deposit limit
- 1.5 months' rent
- Deposit back within
- 14 business days
- Month-to-month notice (landlord)
- 30 days
- Unpaid rent notice
- 5 days
- Entry notice
- 48 hours
- Time to answer or appear
- At the hearing
- Judgment to writ
- 5 days
- Small claims limit
- $3,500
Security deposit (6 of 6 confirmed)
Law read: A.R.S. 33-1321.
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ConfirmedDeposit limit
No more than one and one-half months' rent, counting prepaid rent (33-1321(A)).
Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1321, Security deposits, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedReturn deadline
Within 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, the landlord provides an itemized list of all deductions with any amount due (33-1321(D)).
Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1321, Security deposits, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedItemized list of deductions
An itemized list of all deductions (33-1321(D)).
Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1321, Security deposits, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedInterest on the deposit
None stated in A.R.S. 33-1321.
Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1321, Security deposits, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedWhere the deposit is held
None stated in A.R.S. 33-1321.
Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1321, Security deposits, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedPenalty the law states
Twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus the money due (33-1321(E)).
Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1321, Security deposits, checked November 2026
More: Security deposit rules by state · Deposit return deadline calculator
Notice periods (5 of 6 confirmed)
What the official text says about each notice. Cities and counties can add their own notice, just-cause or rent rules. Check local rules too.
| Notice | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ending month-to-month (landlord) | Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. | Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1375 (Periodic tenancy), checked November 2026 (A.R.S. 33-1375(B)) |
| Ending month-to-month (tenant) | Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. | Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1375 (Periodic tenancy), checked November 2026 (A.R.S. 33-1375(B)) |
| Rent increase notice | Not confirmed — check Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1375 (Periodic tenancy). Not in the sections read. Check A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10. | |
| Unpaid rent notice | 5 days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate. | Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1368 (Noncompliance; failure to pay rent), checked November 2026 (A.R.S. 33-1368(B)) |
| Entry notice | At least two days' notice, entering only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where impracticable. | Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1343 (Access), checked November 2026 (A.R.S. 33-1343(D)) |
| Late fee limits | A reasonable late fee set forth in a written rental agreement; no number stated. | Source: Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1368 (Noncompliance; failure to pay rent), checked November 2026 (A.R.S. 33-1368(B)) |
More: Notice periods by state · Notice date calculator
Eviction case, in order (5 of 10 confirmed)
- Notice before filing The written notice comes first; its length is in the notice table above.
Unpaid rent: 5 days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate.
- Filing the case Where the case goes and what it costs to start.
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ConfirmedCourt
Justice court in the precinct; the statute also allows filing in superior court.
filing an eviction action in justice court.
Source: Arizona Judicial Branch Legal Info Hub: Eviction Actions, checked November 2026
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Not confirmedFiling fee
Not confirmed — check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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- The tenant's answer or appearance
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ConfirmedTime to answer or appear
The tenant appears and answers at the time on the summons, which is the trial date.
appear and answer the complaint at the time and place named
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement, checked November 2026
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- Hearing or trial
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ConfirmedHearing after filing
The summons issues the day the complaint is filed and sets the trial 3 to 6 days out; service must be at least 2 days before.
not more than six nor less than three days from the date of the summons.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement, checked November 2026
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- Judgment and the writ The order that lets the officer act.
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ConfirmedJudgment to writ
The landlord returns to court for the writ of restitution after five days (sooner in some breach cases).
the landlord must go back to court after five days to get a writ of restitution.
Source: Arizona Judicial Branch Legal Info Hub: Eviction Actions, checked November 2026
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- Lockout Carried out by an officer, not by either side.
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Not confirmedWrit to lockout
Not confirmed — check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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ConfirmedWho carries out the lockout
A constable or deputy constable serves and enforces the writ (Maricopa County's page).
A Constable or a Deputy Constable must serve the writ.
Source: Maricopa County Justice Courts: Writ of Restitution (to enforce an eviction order), checked November 2026
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- Along the way Paying to stop the case, counsel and diversion programs.
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Not confirmedPaying to stop the case
Not confirmed — check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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Not confirmedRight to counsel (statewide)
Not confirmed — check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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Not confirmedDiversion or mediation (statewide)
Not confirmed — check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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For a material and irreparable breach the statute sets trial within three days of filing and restitution 12 to 24 hours after judgment. Maricopa's sheet counts the low end as three working days.
Example: a case filed Monday, March 1, 2027
The earliest date of each stage the confirmed rules allow, from our eviction timeline estimator. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
| Stage | Earliest date |
|---|---|
| Case filed | Monday, March 1, 2027 |
| Answer or appear | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
| Hearing or trial | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
| Judgment | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
| Writ or warrant of possession | Tuesday, March 9, 2027 |
More: Arizona eviction process · Eviction timeline estimator
Deposit disputes: small claims
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ConfirmedSmall claims limit (for a deposit dispute)
$3,500: the most a small claims case can ask for.
Not more than $3,500, not counting interest and costs. Counterclaims are capped at $3,500 too.
Filing fee to start a case: $30.
Source: Arizona Judicial Branch Legal Info Hub: About Small Claims, checked November 2026
More: Arizona small claims court
Still to confirm
- Rent increase notice: check Arizona Legislature: A.R.S. 33-1375 (Periodic tenancy)
- Filing fee: check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement
- Writ to lockout: check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement
- Paying to stop the case: check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement
- Right to counsel (statewide): check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement
- Diversion or mediation (statewide): check Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1377: Special detainer actions; service; trial postponement
Arizona kit
Arizona Landlord Compliance Kit
This page as a printable checklist with every source link and check date, a move-in and move-out deposit checklist with the Arizona return deadline, a notice calendar, an eviction timeline sheet, and an Excel workbook with a tenant notice log, a deposit tracker that works out the return date, and a rent ledger.
Kits for any state: Security Deposit Kit for Landlords and Tenants ($15) · Landlord-Tenant Notice Organizer ($15) · Eviction Case File Organizer ($15)
General information, not legal advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. The same rules apply whichever side of the lease you are on; this page describes them and doesn't take a side. Rules change, cities and counties can add their own, a lease can add terms, and the official source has the final word.
Common questions
How much can a security deposit be in Arizona?
No more than one and one-half months' rent, counting prepaid rent (33-1321(A)).
How long does a Arizona landlord have to return a deposit?
Within 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, the landlord provides an itemized list of all deductions with any amount due (33-1321(D)). What goes with it: An itemized list of all deductions (33-1321(D)).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Arizona?
From the landlord: Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. From the tenant: Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it.
What notice comes before an unpaid-rent case in Arizona?
5 days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate.
How much notice before a landlord enters a rental in Arizona?
At least two days' notice, entering only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where impracticable.
How long does an eviction case take in Arizona?
Time to answer or appear: At the hearing. Hearing after filing: 3 to 6 days. Judgment to writ: 5 days. These are the stated rules; the court's calendar often takes longer.
Can a Arizona deposit dispute go to small claims court?
The small claims limit in our data: $3,500: the most a small claims case can ask for. The court's own page explains what kinds of cases it hears.
Related: Landlord rules by state · Kits for landlords