questions & answers

Question: Moved in to an apartment. AC never ran correct. Notified landlord several times. Electric was constantly shorting out. Landlord did nothing. Had hollow core door for front door.. faulty locks, serious bug problem, he charged us 1100 deposit for 550 rent. We vacated in 2 1/2 months. Never signed a lease or rental agreement. Trash all around complex. He refused to refund our deposit. Can we get it back in full?

Answer: Under the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, landlords may demand a security deposit in the amount of no more than one and one-half month’s rent (A.R.S. 33-1321(D)). However, when none of a tenant’s transactions with the landlord are recorded in writing, it becomes much more difficult for a tenant to pursue a legal remedy against the landlord for failing to comply with that requirement.