10 of the 10 rules below carry a statute citation that was read at the official source (most recently October 2026), with the controlling text quoted. The rest are conservative reference values from Aptoria's compliance data and are labeled unverified.
Security deposit size: Security (however denominated, including prepaid rent) may not exceed one and one-half month's rent; a tenant may voluntarily pay more in advance. Purpose of any nonrefundable fee must be stated in writing; undesignated fees are refundable. (A.R.S. § 33-1321(A)–(B), confirmed 2026-10). Returning the deposit: Within 14 days EXCLUDING weekends and legal holidays (~3 calendar weeks) after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered, AND the tenant demands return — provide an itemized list of deductions and any amount due. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. (A.R.S. § 33-1321, confirmed 2026-07).
How Arizona treats the landlord's core obligations
Late fees: No statutory dollar/percentage cap or mandatory grace period; a late fee is collectible only if 'reasonable' and set forth in a written rental agreement (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)). Days are calendar days. (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B), confirmed 2026-10). Application fees: No statutory cap on application fees. Any nonrefundable fee must have its purpose stated in writing by the landlord; a fee not designated nonrefundable is refundable (§ 33-1321(B)). (A.R.S. § 33-1321(B), confirmed 2026-10).
Nonpayment notice: Five calendar days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; if unpaid, landlord may terminate by filing a special detainer action (§ 33-1377). Before filing, tender of all past-due rent plus a reasonable written late fee reinstates the agreement; after filing, reinstatement also requires attorney fees and court costs; after judgment, reinstatement is at the landlord's discretion. (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B), (G), confirmed 2026-10). Rent increases: No rent-increase-specific notice statute and no statewide rent cap (local rent control preempted, § 33-1329). Rent is 'payable without demand or notice at the time and place agreed on by the parties' (§ 33-1314(C)); on a month-to-month tenancy the operative mechanism to change rent is the 30-day written notice before the periodic rental date in § 33-1375(B). (A.R.S. § 33-1375(B); § 33-1314(C), confirmed 2026-10). Ending a month-to-month tenancy: 30 days' written notice prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice (either party); week-to-week: 10 days. Willful bad-faith holdover: up to two months' rent or twice actual damages. (A.R.S. § 33-1375(B), confirmed 2026-10). Entry: At least two days' notice of intent to enter, at reasonable times (except emergency or where impracticable). A tenant's service/maintenance request constitutes permission to enter for that purpose and waives separate notice. (A.R.S. § 33-1343(B), (D), confirmed 2026-10).
Arizona has no statewide rent regulation on file, so any cap on increases would come from a local ordinance. Source-of-income protection is not on file statewide, although cities and counties can add it. Card surcharges on rent: allowed within card-network limits. Managing property for others for compensation generally requires a state license: State real estate broker license required for property management for others — confirm with state commission.
Security deposits
What Arizona allows a landlord to collect up front, how it must be held, and the deadline and paperwork for returning it.
Security deposit limit
Source-confirmed 2026-10
Security (however denominated, including prepaid rent) may not exceed one and one-half month's rent; a tenant may voluntarily pay more in advance. Purpose of any nonrefundable fee must be stated in writing; undesignated fees are refundable.
“A landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, including prepaid rent in an amount or value of more than one and one-half month's rent. This subsection does not prohibit a tenant from voluntarily paying more than one and one-half month's rent in advance.”
Excerpt from the cited source as read on the date shown.
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “1.5× monthly rent”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
The maximum a landlord may collect up front as security against unpaid rent or damage, usually expressed as a multiple of one month's rent. Separate pet, key or cleaning deposits often count toward the same limit.
Deposit return deadline
Source-confirmed 2026-07
Within 14 days EXCLUDING weekends and legal holidays (~3 calendar weeks) after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered, AND the tenant demands return — provide an itemized list of deductions and any amount due. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
The 14-day clock is BUSINESS days (excludes weekends/holidays) and starts only after the tenant demands the deposit back.
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “14 days after move-out”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
The window after the tenant vacates in which the landlord must refund the deposit or deliver an itemized statement of deductions. Missing the deadline is the most common way a landlord forfeits the right to keep any part of the deposit.
Separate pet deposit
Source-confirmed 2026-10
No separate pet-deposit allowance: all 'security, however denominated, including prepaid rent' is capped at one and one-half months' rent, so a refundable pet deposit counts toward that combined cap. Nonrefundable pet fees are permitted only if the landlord states their purpose in writing; any fee or deposit not designated nonrefundable is refundable.
“A landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, including prepaid rent in an amount or value of more than one and one-half month's rent. ... B. The purpose of all nonrefundable fees or deposits shall be stated in writing by the landlord. Any fee or deposit not designated as nonrefundable is refundable.”
Excerpt from the cited source as read on the date shown.
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “Permitted”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
Whether a refundable pet deposit can be collected on top of the security deposit. Even where it is permitted, the combined amount usually has to stay inside the overall deposit limit.
In practice
• Hold the deposit the way the statute requires (separate or escrow account where applicable) and record the account in the file.
• Document move-in condition with a dated, photographed inventory the tenant can sign; it is the only evidence that supports a later deduction.
• Send the itemized statement and any refund by a trackable method, and keep the receipts or estimates behind every deduction.
Rent, late fees and application fees
The fees a Arizona lease can charge, the statutory ceilings that override the lease, and whether rent increases are regulated statewide.
Late fees
Source-confirmed 2026-10
No statutory dollar/percentage cap or mandatory grace period; a late fee is collectible only if 'reasonable' and set forth in a written rental agreement (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)). Days are calendar days.
“Before the filing of a special detainer action the rental agreement shall be reinstated if the tenant tenders all past due and unpaid periodic rent and a reasonable late fee set forth in a written rental agreement.”
Excerpt from the cited source as read on the date shown.
'Reasonable' is not defined in statute;
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “No statewide cap (reasonableness standard)”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
Any statutory ceiling on the fee for late rent and any mandatory grace period before it can be charged. Where there is no statutory cap, courts still strike fees they find punitive rather than a reasonable estimate of the landlord's cost.
Application fee limit
Source-confirmed 2026-10
No statutory cap on application fees. Any nonrefundable fee must have its purpose stated in writing by the landlord; a fee not designated nonrefundable is refundable (§ 33-1321(B)).
The "no cap" finding rests on the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act containing no fee ceiling (official chapter 10 table of contents read); § 33-1321 governs disclosure of nonrefundable fees.
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “No statewide cap”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
A cap on what an applicant can be charged to apply, sometimes limited to the actual cost of screening and sometimes prohibited outright. Fee receipts and refund rules usually travel with the cap.
Statewide rent regulation
Source-confirmed 2026-10
(b) Statewide preemption: no statewide rent cap, and cities (including charter cities) and towns have no power to control rents on private residential property; exception for property owned, financed, insured or subsidized by a state agency, city or town.
“Therefore, the power to control rents on private residential property is preempted by the state. Cities, including charter cities, or towns shall not have the power to control rents.”
Excerpt from the cited source as read on the date shown.
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “No statewide rent regulation (check local ordinances)”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
Whether a statewide law caps annual rent increases or whether rent control exists for covered units. Local ordinances can add limits even where the state has none.
In practice
• State the late fee, the grace period and the application fee in the lease in dollars or a clear percentage; a fee that is not in the lease is rarely enforceable.
• Never charge above the statutory cap even when the lease says more; the excess is unenforceable and can expose the landlord to penalties.
• Keep fee calculations in the ledger so a tenant, a court or an auditor can reproduce them from the rent roll.
Notices, rent increases and termination
How much written notice Arizona requires before a rent increase, before ending a month-to-month tenancy, and before filing for nonpayment.
Rent-increase notice
Source-confirmed 2026-10
No rent-increase-specific notice statute and no statewide rent cap (local rent control preempted, § 33-1329). Rent is 'payable without demand or notice at the time and place agreed on by the parties' (§ 33-1314(C)); on a month-to-month tenancy the operative mechanism to change rent is the 30-day written notice before the periodic rental date in § 33-1375(B).
“The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least thirty days prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice.”
Excerpt from the cited source as read on the date shown.
30 days is derived from the periodic-tenancy rule; the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has no rent-increase provision. Mobile-home-park space rent has its own regime in A.R.S. Title 33, Ch. 11 (not verified).
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “30 days”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
The written notice a landlord must give before a rent increase takes effect on a periodic (month-to-month) tenancy. Fixed-term leases generally cannot be changed mid-term.
Month-to-month termination notice
Source-confirmed 2026-10
30 days' written notice prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice (either party); week-to-week: 10 days. Willful bad-faith holdover: up to two months' rent or twice actual damages.
“The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least thirty days prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice.”
Excerpt from the cited source as read on the date shown.
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “30 days”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
The notice a landlord must give to end a periodic tenancy without cause. Some jurisdictions require longer notice for long-term tenants or require a stated cause.
Pay-or-quit notice
Source-confirmed 2026-10
Five calendar days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; if unpaid, landlord may terminate by filing a special detainer action (§ 33-1377). Before filing, tender of all past-due rent plus a reasonable written late fee reinstates the agreement; after filing, reinstatement also requires attorney fees and court costs; after judgment, reinstatement is at the landlord's discretion.
“If rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay rent within five days after written notice by the landlord of nonpayment and the landlord's intention to terminate the rental agreement if the rent is not paid within that period of time, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement by filing a special detainer action”
Excerpt from the cited source as read on the date shown.
Material noncompliance: 10 days; health/safety noncompliance: 5 days; material and irreparable breach: immediate (§ 33-1368(A)).
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “5 days”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
The notice a tenant must receive for nonpayment before the landlord can file for possession, and the time the tenant has to pay in full and cure. This is the step most often done wrong in an eviction.
In practice
• Serve notices in the form and by the method the statute names, and keep proof of service with the dated notice.
• Count notice periods the way the statute counts them (calendar days, business days, or "before the next rent due date") and build in a margin.
• Treat a notice to a possibly rent-regulated or subsidized unit as a legal check, because longer periods and extra content requirements usually apply.
Landlord entry
When a Arizona landlord may enter an occupied unit and how much notice the tenant must receive.
Non-emergency entry notice
Source-confirmed 2026-10
At least two days' notice of intent to enter, at reasonable times (except emergency or where impracticable). A tenant's service/maintenance request constitutes permission to enter for that purpose and waives separate notice.
“Except in case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least two days' notice of the landlord's intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times.”
Excerpt from the cited source as read on the date shown.
Reference value in Aptoria's compliance data: “48 hours”. Where it differs from the statute above, the statute controls; differences found in review are logged for an engine update.
The advance notice required before a landlord enters an occupied unit for repairs, inspections or showings. Emergencies are the usual exception.
In practice
• Give written notice with the date, a reasonable time window and the purpose, and log the entry afterwards.
• Emergencies are the only common exception; document what made the entry urgent.
• A pattern of unannounced entries is a common basis for tenant complaints and counterclaims.
Payments, fair housing and licensing
Operational rules that sit outside the landlord-tenant act but decide how rent can be collected, who can be screened out, and who may manage for others.
Card surcharges on rent
Allowed within card-network limits
Returned-payment (NSF) fee
No statewide statutory cap on file
Source-of-income protection
No statewide protection on file
Local ordinances can extend protection beyond the statewide rule.
Property-management licensing
License generally required to manage for others
State real estate broker license required for property management for others — confirm with state commission.
Compliance posture values are reference data compiled from public statutes and are not source-confirmed line by line. Confirm with the state agency before relying on them.
Arizona next to its neighbors
Own units on both sides of a state line? These are the reference values for every bordering jurisdiction. Open a state to see which values carry a citation.
Federal and state disclosures Aptoria's lease workflow surfaces for Arizona. This is a working checklist from public sources, not a complete legal inventory for a specific property.
• Lead-based paint hazards (pre-1978 housing) — EPA Pamphlet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home"
• Move-in inspection report on request
• Bedbug disclosure (some cities)
Official sources
Primary sources a Arizona landlord should bookmark. Each link was fetched and read during the October 2026 review; the binding text is always the current official version.
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arizona?
Security (however denominated, including prepaid rent) may not exceed one and one-half month's rent; a tenant may voluntarily pay more in advance. Purpose of any nonrefundable fee must be stated in writing; undesignated fees are refundable. (A.R.S. § 33-1321(A)–(B), confirmed 2026-10).
How long does a Arizona landlord have to return the security deposit?
Within 14 days EXCLUDING weekends and legal holidays (~3 calendar weeks) after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered, AND the tenant demands return — provide an itemized list of deductions and any amount due. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. (A.R.S. § 33-1321, confirmed 2026-07).
What is the maximum late fee in Arizona?
No statutory dollar/percentage cap or mandatory grace period; a late fee is collectible only if 'reasonable' and set forth in a written rental agreement (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)). Days are calendar days. (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B), confirmed 2026-10).
How many days does a Arizona pay-or-quit notice give the tenant?
Five calendar days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; if unpaid, landlord may terminate by filing a special detainer action (§ 33-1377). Before filing, tender of all past-due rent plus a reasonable written late fee reinstates the agreement; after filing, reinstatement also requires attorney fees and court costs; after judgment, reinstatement is at the landlord's discretion. (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B), (G), confirmed 2026-10).
How much notice must a Arizona landlord give before entering?
At least two days' notice of intent to enter, at reasonable times (except emergency or where impracticable). A tenant's service/maintenance request constitutes permission to enter for that purpose and waives separate notice. (A.R.S. § 33-1343(B), (D), confirmed 2026-10).
How much notice is required to raise rent in Arizona?
No rent-increase-specific notice statute and no statewide rent cap (local rent control preempted, § 33-1329). Rent is 'payable without demand or notice at the time and place agreed on by the parties' (§ 33-1314(C)); on a month-to-month tenancy the operative mechanism to change rent is the 30-day written notice before the periodic rental date in § 33-1375(B). (A.R.S. § 33-1375(B); § 33-1314(C), confirmed 2026-10).
How much notice is required to end a month-to-month tenancy in Arizona?
30 days' written notice prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice (either party); week-to-week: 10 days. Willful bad-faith holdover: up to two months' rent or twice actual damages. (A.R.S. § 33-1375(B), confirmed 2026-10).
Does Arizona have statewide rent control?
No statewide rent regulation is on file for Arizona. Local ordinances can still limit increases, so check the city or county where the unit sits before setting a renewal rent.
Is source of income a protected class in Arizona?
No statewide source-of-income protection is on file for Arizona, but cities and counties can adopt it. Check local law before refusing a voucher or benefit income, and apply any screening criteria consistently.
Can a Arizona landlord add a surcharge for paying rent by card?
Allowed within card-network limits. Where a surcharge is allowed, it must still follow card-network rules and be disclosed before payment.
How this page was verified
Every rule is shown in one of two states. “Source-confirmed” means an editor opened the official statute page named next to the rule on the date shown, read the controlling text, and recorded the excerpt you see; the excerpt is quoted verbatim so you can check it. “Reference value” means Aptoria's compliance engine applies a conservative number for this rule, but nobody has yet tied it to a specific statute section on this page, so it must be checked before you rely on it.
This page meets Aptoria's evidence floor for publication (10 source-confirmed rules and 3 fetched official sources). Statutes change; local ordinances can be stricter; the facts of a tenancy change the result.