A.R.S. § 33-321 uses the phrase “ordinary wear and tear excepted.”
A.R.S. § 33-1341 prohibits deliberate or negligent destruction, defacement, damage, impairment or removal.
Move-in forms and photos help separate preexisting condition, wear and tenant-caused damage.
Evidence that helps
- Move-in form and photographs.
- Move-out photographs and inspection notes.
- Age and prior condition of carpet, paint, appliances or fixtures.
- The exact damage description and repair scope.
Examples require context
There is no universal statewide schedule in these cited statutes saying that every carpet, paint or cleaning condition becomes ordinary wear after a fixed number of years. Avoid treating generic useful-life charts as if they were the Arizona statute.
Official sources
Arizona statute stating that tenants maintain premises in as good condition as when possession began, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
Arizona State LegislatureArizona Revised Statutes § 33-1341 — Tenant to maintain dwelling unit ↗Primary statute describing tenant maintenance duties and responsibility for deliberate or negligent damage.
Arizona State LegislatureArizona Revised Statutes § 33-1321 — Security deposits ↗Primary statute for deposit limits, nonrefundable-fee disclosures, move-out inspections, deductions, the refund/itemization timeline and remedies.