questions & answers

Question: I had a security deposit of $400 at my apartment and I still haven't received the security deposit. It's been about a month and a half. Everytime I call they avoid helping me and have stopped responding to my emails. I dont know if its because they find it annoying or they just dont have the deposit. What are legal ways I can pursue my security deposit. I have also sent them a demand letter. What is the reasonable time to sue and what is the maximum I can sue for?

Answer: The Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires the landlord to provide the tenant with an itemized list of deductions (if any) along with the amount due and payable to the tenant (if any) within 14 business days after the tenant has returned possession of the dwelling to the landlord and demanded the return of the deposit (A.R.S. 33-1321(D)). A landlord who fails to do so may be sued by the tenant for the amount that was owed to the tenant plus an additional amount of twice what was owed to the tenant in damages (A.R.S. 33-1321(E)).