Quick answer: An Arizona landlord may not demand or receive security, however named and including prepaid rent, of more than one and one-half months’ rent. A tenant can voluntarily prepay more.
This Arizona security deposit limit calculator applies A.R.S. 33-1321(A). Enter the monthly rent and the total the landlord asks for as security, counting any prepaid rent and refundable pet deposit: it shows the limit and how far the total goes above it.
Arizona security deposit limit rules at a glance
| Rule | What Arizona says |
|---|---|
| Limit | No security, however denominated, including prepaid rent, of more than one and one-half month’s rent (A.R.S. 33-1321(A)) |
| Voluntary prepayment | The limit does not prohibit a tenant from voluntarily paying more than one and one-half month’s rent in advance (33-1321(A)) |
| Nonrefundable fees | The landlord must state their purpose in writing; any fee or deposit not designated nonrefundable is refundable (33-1321(B)) |
| At move-in | A signed copy of the lease, a move-in form for existing damages and notice that the tenant may attend the move-out inspection (33-1321(C)) |
| Return | 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after termination, delivery of possession and demand (33-1321(D)) |
| If the landlord fails to comply | Twice the amount wrongfully withheld (33-1321(E)) |
| Pets | The section has no separate pet rule; a pet deposit is security and counts toward the 1.5 months |
| When rent is due | At the beginning of a term of one month or less, otherwise in equal monthly installments at the beginning of each month, unless agreed (33-1314(C)) |
How does the Arizona deposit limit work?
- The 1.5-month ceiling. See the maximum security deposit in Arizona.
- Pet deposits and fees. See Arizona pet deposits and fees.
- Prepaid rent and other up-front charges. See last month’s rent and other up-front charges in Arizona.
What does this deposit limit calculator check?
The calculator multiplies the monthly rent by 1.5 and compares the result with the total you enter. It treats a security deposit, prepaid rent and any refundable pet deposit as one amount, because the statute covers security “however denominated.” It does not decide whether a payment is a nonrefundable fee, which the statute handles separately by requiring a written statement of purpose. After a deposit is paid, the next question is when it must come back: see the Arizona security deposit return deadline calculator.
Examples of the Arizona 1.5-month limit
| Monthly rent | Limit | Asked | Above the limit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | Within the limit |
| $1,200 | $1,800 | $2,400 | $600 | Above the limit |
| $2,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 deposit plus $1,500 pet deposit | $500 | Above the limit: the pet deposit counts toward the total |
These examples show the arithmetic. They are not statements about a particular lease or landlord.
How the limit fits with the rest of the deposit section
The cap is only the first rule in A.R.S. 33-1321. The landlord must also state the purpose of every nonrefundable fee in writing, give the tenant a signed lease, a move-in form and notice of the right to attend the move-out inspection, and, when the tenancy ends, provide an itemized list of deductions within 14 days, excluding weekends and legal holidays. A landlord that fails to comply owes twice the amount wrongfully withheld. The return deadline calculator shows the dates.
Related Arizona landlord-tenant calculators
These four calculators cover the same tenancy from different angles. From here you can go to the Arizona security deposit return deadline calculator for the date the landlord must refund or itemize the deposit, the Arizona eviction notice calculator for the notice period before a lease can end and the Arizona eviction timeline calculator for the earliest legal dates once an eviction case starts. Each one cites its own Arizona statutes and shows only what the law says.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum security deposit in Arizona?
One and one-half month’s rent. The limit covers security however denominated, including prepaid rent.
Does last month’s rent count toward the limit?
Yes. The statute counts prepaid rent as part of the one and one-half month limit.
Can a tenant pay more in advance?
Yes, voluntarily. The limit does not prohibit a tenant from paying more than one and one-half month’s rent in advance.
Does Arizona have a separate rule for pet deposits?
Not in the deposit section. A pet deposit held as security counts toward the 1.5-month limit, and a nonrefundable pet fee needs a written statement of its purpose.
What is a nonrefundable fee?
A fee or deposit the landlord designates as nonrefundable and explains in writing. Anything not designated nonrefundable is refundable.
When does the landlord have to return the deposit?
Within 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after termination, delivery of possession and the tenant’s demand.