State notice rules
When is an Arizona landlord notice sent by certified mail considered received?
Updated · By the Landlord Notice Mail team
Under A.R.S. 33-1313, a notice sent by registered or certified mail is deemed received on the date the tenant actually receives it or five days after it was mailed, whichever comes first. The tenant's notice period (5 days for nonpayment, 10 days for most lease violations) then runs from that receipt date.
| Notice | Period | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment | 5 days after written notice | 33-1368(B) |
| Material noncompliance | 10 days after receipt to remedy | 33-1368(A) |
| Health and safety noncompliance | 5 days after receipt to remedy | 33-1368(A) |
| Material and irreparable breach | Immediate termination notice | 33-1368(A) |
| Entry | 2 days' notice | 33-1343(D) |
| Deposit itemization | 14 days excl. weekends and holidays, by first-class mail | 33-1321(D) |
Why certified mail is useful in Arizona
The 5-day deemed-receipt rule means a refused or unclaimed certified letter still starts the clock five days after mailing. Your USPS receipt is the evidence of the mailing date.
Quick answers
What if the tenant never picks up the certified letter?
It is deemed received five days after mailing under 33-1313.
Can I hand-deliver instead?
Yes, in-hand delivery is also a recognized method; the notice is received when delivered.
How do I send the deposit statement?
By first-class mail to the tenant's last known residence unless you agreed otherwise in writing.
What to do next
Send Arizona notices by Certified Mail ($14.99, or $17.99 with return receipt) so the mailing date is on record, or get 5 a month for $29 on the Landlord plan.
Send an Arizona noticeSources
- Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1313
- Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1368
- Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1343
- Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1321
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.