The landlord-tenant laws of Arizona require landlords to repay tenant's security deposit within 14 days from the time the property occupant leaves the premise or present an itemized list of cost deductions with the remaining balance within the same period. Unpaid rent, costs of repairing the rental unit damages in excess of the usual wear and tear and expenses due to a breach of the lease agreement are the only costs that the landlord is allowed to deduct from the tenant's security deposit. Any other deductions besides these are unlawful and cannot be deducted from the tenant's security deposit.
Any damage that results from regular use of the rented unit is not the responsibility of the tenant, therefore the costs of covering these repairs cannot be deducted from the security deposit. Common examples of wear and tear include faded curtains, fading wall paint, and matting carpet. Tenants can only be held liable for serious damages such as window breakages, broken faucets, and broken furniture.
If you dispute the landlord's deductions on your security deposit and feel that the deductions are unrealistic, then there are ways to get back your rightful security deposit in Arizona. You should first send a well-written letter acknowledging receiving the itemized list of deductions, then address the deduction costs that you don't agree with and why you are disputing them. Putting all your communications with the landlord in writing is important, mostly as proof if the matter ends up in court.
This HomeTitan Damage Claim Dispute Letter has been professionally written to express your concerns over the unnecessary deductions by the landlord while also reflecting the landlord-tenant laws of Arizona. It is a letter intended to inform the landlord of your understanding of the law and prompt them to repay your rightful security deposit amount. In most instances, this is all you'll need to get back your rightful security deposit in a timely fashion. Don't forget to send the letter via certified mail and keep your own copy.