What a Landlord Cannot Do in Arizona
The main limits Arizona law puts on landlords — lockouts and utility shutoffs, entering without notice, retaliation, deposits, fees and discrimination — each with the statute or official source.
In short: a Arizona landlord cannot evict without a court order, cannot punish a tenant for asserting legal rights where state law protects them, and must follow the state's rules on entry, deposits and fees shown below.
| Lockouts & utility shutoffs | If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease. In either case the tenant recovers the greater of up to two months' periodic rent or twice actual damages. A landlord may cut landlord-provided utilities only for needed repairs, or the day after a writ of restitution is executed (§ 33-1368(D)); the cut must be done by a person the utility authorizes. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
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| Landlord entry notice | At least two days' notice, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where notice is impracticable. A tenant's service or maintenance request counts as permission to enter to address that request without separate notice. Otherwise the landlord may enter only by court order, under §§ 33-1369 and 33-1370, or if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 33-1343 |
| Landlord retaliation | A landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or bring or threaten an eviction after the tenant (1) complained to a building or housing code agency about a health or safety violation, (2) complained to the landlord about a § 33-1324 maintenance violation, (3) organized or joined a tenants' union, or (4) complained to a wage-price stabilization agency. A complaint within 6 months before the alleged retaliation creates a presumption of retaliation. The presumption does not arise if the complaint was made after notice of termination. The landlord may still evict for unpaid rent or for code violations the tenant caused. Remedies are under § 33-1367. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 33-1381 |
| Security deposit limit | One and one-half months' rent, counting all security however labeled, including prepaid rent. A tenant may still voluntarily prepay more rent. The landlord must state the purpose of any nonrefundable fee or deposit in writing. Any fee or deposit not designated nonrefundable is refundable (§ 33-1321(B)). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 33-1321(A) |
| Penalty for withholding | If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the property and money due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 33-1321(E) |
| Late fees | No statutory cap or grace period. The fee must be reasonable and set out in a written rental agreement. The statute refers only to 'a reasonable late fee set forth in a written rental agreement' and sets no amount. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 33-1368(B) |
| Rent control / increase limits | Local rent control is preempted. Cities, including charter cities, and towns have no power to control rents on private residential property. There is no statewide rent cap. The preemption does not apply to property owned, financed, insured, or subsidized by a state agency, city, or town. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 33-1329 |
| Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | No. Arizona has no statewide ban on source-of-income discrimination. The state fair housing act protects race, color, religion, sex, familial status, and national origin (and disability under separate sections), but not source of income or voucher use. Some cities (e.g., Phoenix, Tucson) have local source-of-income ordinances. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 41-1491.14 |
| Cameras & privacy | No landlord-specific statute. It is a felony to knowingly photograph, film, record or secretly view a person without consent in a bathroom, bedroom or other place where they expect privacy while they are undressed or in similar situations; security cameras are exempt only if notice is clearly posted. Intercepting a conversation you are not part of without a party's consent is also a felony. The landlord must give at least two days' notice before entering, except emergencies, and may not abuse access to harass the tenant (§ 33-1343). Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| Other rental fees | No general junk-fee or total-cost-of-rent statute. Specific limits: (1) the purpose of every nonrefundable fee must be stated in writing, and fees not designated nonrefundable are refundable (§ 33-1321(B)); (2) a landlord who bills utilities separately through submetering or ratio utility billing may recover only the provider's charges plus an administrative fee for actual administrative costs, with no other charges, and the lease must disclose the separately billed utilities and the fee amount (§ 33-1314.01(B)); (3) late fees must be 'reasonable' and set out in a written rental agreement to be required for reinstatement (§ 33-1368(B)); (4) a lease may not require the tenant to pay the landlord's attorney fees, except under a prevailing-party clause (§ 33-1315(A)(2)). No statute on online-payment or convenience fees was found in Chapter 10. SB 1580 (2025), which would have let tenants opt out of nonessential services such as smart-home fees and limited added fees, does not appear in the current A.R.S. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.