The law in plain English
Return deadline
Under Ariz. Rev. Stat. Section 33-1321, the deposit response usually has to be sent within 14 days of the move-out timeline described by the state rule.
Required notice
Arizona generally gives the landlord 14 business days after termination, delivery of possession, and the tenant's demand to send the refund and itemized statement.
This dispute type
Painting deductions are usually weakest when the landlord is refreshing the unit for the next tenant, covering faded walls, or addressing minor marks from normal occupancy. In Arizona, the refund deadline and deduction notice rules still apply even if the landlord claims the walls needed work.
Penalty leverage
If the withholding was wrongful or in bad faith, the exposure allowed under the statute is: Landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion; you can recover up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld