Security Deposit Interest in Arizona: No State Requirement (2026)
Arizona A.R.S. sec. 33-1321 contains no interest requirement at all (the word 'interest' does not appear); it caps deposits at 1.5 months' rent, … Calculator, statute citation, Last Verified date o
Quick answer
No — Arizona law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Arizona A.R.S. sec. 33-1321 contains no interest requirement at all (the word 'interest' does not appear); it caps deposits at 1.5 months' rent, allows commingling/use of deposits during tenancy under subsection G, and requires refund within 14 days (excluding weekends/holidays) with 2x penalty for wrongful withholding. The rule comes from A.R.S. sec. 33-1321 (Security deposits). State statute (official text) · 2026-10-28
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What Arizona law does — and does not — require
Arizona has no statewide statute requiring interest on security deposits. Arizona A.R.S. sec. 33-1321 contains no interest requirement at all (the word 'interest' does not appear); it caps deposits at 1.5 months' rent, allows commingling/use of deposits during tenancy under subsection G, and requires refund within 14 days (excluding weekends/holidays) with 2x penalty for wrongful withholding.
The statute that governs deposits in Arizona, A.R.S. sec. 33-1321 (Security deposits), covers how and when the deposit itself must be returned — it simply does not mandate interest on top.
How interest must be paid
Not applicable; no interest requirement. Not applicable; refund + itemized deduction list due within fourteen days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays) after termination and tenant demand; landlord liable for twice the wrongfully withheld amount.
Who the law applies to
Residential rentals covered by the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; deposit (including prepaid rent) capped at one and one-half month's rent; prepaid rent beyond that is treated as a deposit.
Cities in Arizona that require interest
No city-level deposit-interest requirement found for Phoenix, Tucson or other Arizona cities; the state Act is the uniform residential rule and municipal codes do not add deposit-interest mandates.
States that do require deposit interest
Arizona has no statewide requirement. If you are moving or own rentals across state lines, these states do — each rate is the statutory value verified on the state page:
| State | Statutory rate |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 5% per annum, or the lesser amount of interest actually received from |
| Ohio | 5% per annum |
| Maryland | greater of 1.5%/year or U.S. Treasury 1-year yield curve rate (leases |
| Minnesota | 1% per annum |
| New York | Interest actually accrued/paid on the deposit in the interest-bearing |
The statute behind it
| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | A.R.S. sec. 33-1321 (Security deposits) | | Official text | www.azleg.gov | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |
Cross-checked against: Arizona Department of Housing - Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act full-act PDF (official compilation, referenced via search), Pure Home River - Arizona Security Deposit Law (confirms sec. 33-1321 has no interest/account requirement; subsection G allows commingling).
Statutes get amended. If you are relying on this page — for a move-out, a dispute, or a lease draft — click through to the official text and confirm the current wording.
FAQ
Does Arizona require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?
No. Arizona law does not mandate interest; whatever the lease says governs. No city-level deposit-interest requirement found for Phoenix, Tucson or other Arizona cities; the state Act is the uniform residential rule and municipal codes do not add deposit-interest mandates.
How is deposit interest calculated in Arizona?
Subsection G lets the landlord use refundable deposits per the property management agreement (commingling permitted) - confirming deposits are not treated as trust funds accruing interest for tenants. The calculator at the top of this page reflects Arizona's rules where a numeric value exists.
When do I get the interest?
Not applicable; refund + itemized deduction list due within fourteen days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays) after termination and tenant demand; landlord liable for twice the wrongfully withheld amount.
Can my lease require the landlord to pay interest anyway?
Yes — a lease can always give you more than state law requires, never less. If your Arizona lease promises interest, that promise is enforceable as a contract even though no statute mandates it.
Independent second source · 2026-10-28Related guides
- All states: security deposit interest by state · rent increase rules by state
- Tools: deposit interest calculator · rent increase calculator
- Neighboring states: New Mexico
This page is information, not legal advice — see the full disclaimer.