Phoenix Security Deposit and First Month's Rent Help 2026–27: Where to Apply and What Arizona Law Allows
Finding an apartment you can afford in Phoenix is hard enough. Then the landlord asks for a security deposit, first month's rent and a stack of fees, all before you get the keys. For many families, move-in costs are the biggest barrier to getting housed.
This guide explains where Phoenix-area residents can ask for move-in assistance in 2026–27, how to apply, and what Arizona law says landlords can and can't charge.
Last checked October 2026. Funding for move-in help is limited and changes often, so confirm before you sign a lease.
Who to Call Depends on Where You Live
Maricopa County splits rental and deposit assistance by city:
Phoenix residents apply through the City of Phoenix Human Services Department.
Glendale and Mesa residents have their own city programs. The county's rental assistance page links to each one.
Everyone else in Maricopa County applies through the county's Community Action Program (CAP) offices.
If you're moving from one city to another, ask both programs which one handles your application.
City of Phoenix: Move-In Assistance
The City of Phoenix Community Services Program offers emergency financial help to Phoenix residents in a crisis. The city lists move-in assistance among its services, along with eviction prevention and emergency utility help.
Who can apply
You must be a Phoenix resident (the city says certain exemptions may apply).
You must be in a crisis situation.
The city says funding is limited and depends on current funding. If you can't get an appointment, try again the next week.
How to apply
Call the Appointment Intake Line: 602-534-2433 (602-534-AIDE) or toll-free 1-866-882-1778.
Apply online: through the HSD Community Services Program Portal, linked from the city's Crisis Assistance page.
Documents you'll need
Proof of identity
Proof of residency
Proof of your rent or utility obligation (for move-in help, that usually means the new lease or a landlord's written statement of move-in costs)
Verification of household income
Verification of who lives in your household
The city may ask for more. Download its Rental and Utility Assistance Checklist and Client Questionnaire from the Crisis Assistance page before your appointment.
Family Services Centers
The program runs three Family Services Centers. All use the same intake line.
John F. Long Family Services Center: 3454 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85031
Sunnyslope Family Services Center: 914 W. Hatcher Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85021
Travis L. Williams Family Services Center: 4732 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040
HOPWA for people living with HIV
The city's Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program offers short-term financial help with move-ins, eviction prevention and utility shutoffs for people living with HIV/AIDS. Apply through the same intake line or portal.
Maricopa County (Outside Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa)
The county's Human Services Department coordinates rental assistance, including help with a rental deposit, for residents who live outside Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa. Help is delivered through local CAP offices.
The county's current eligibility rules say:
You live in Maricopa County but not in Phoenix, Glendale or Mesa.
Your household had a crisis event, such as lost income, unexpected expenses or a health and safety emergency, and you can document it.
You must be past due on rent. That means the county program is mainly built for people who are already behind, so ask your CAP office directly whether deposit-only help is available when you apply.
Some funding may require proof of U.S. citizenship or qualified noncitizen status.
Start with the online prescreen through the county's Human Services Client Portal, or contact your local CAP office. General county questions: 602-506-0589.
If You're Homeless: Start With Coordinated Entry
If you're currently homeless, programs that pay deposits and rent are usually reached through Coordinated Entry, not a direct application.
For example, A New Leaf's Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) helps people who are homeless with rental subsidies plus utility and security deposits. Rental subsidies can last up to 24 months, and participants pay $25 a month or 30% of adjusted income toward rent, whichever is higher. A New Leaf says you must go through Coordinated Entry first and that families and single adults should call 211.
What Arizona Law Says About Deposits
The Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (A.R.S. § 33-1321) sets the rules:
Deposit limit: A landlord can't demand or receive security, including prepaid rent, of more than one and a half months' rent. You may voluntarily pay more rent in advance.
Nonrefundable fees must be in writing. The landlord must state the purpose of any nonrefundable fee or deposit in writing. Any fee or deposit not labeled nonrefundable is refundable.
Move-in paperwork: At move-in, the landlord must give you a signed copy of the lease, a move-in form to note existing damage, and written notice that you can be present at the move-out inspection.
Getting your deposit back: After you move out, return possession and ask for your deposit, the landlord has 14 days (not counting weekends and legal holidays) to give you an itemized list of deductions and any refund.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If the landlord doesn't follow these rules, you can recover what you're owed plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
Dispute deadline: If you don't dispute the itemized list within 60 days after it's mailed, it's considered final.
Why this matters for move-in help
Assistance programs usually pay a specific amount. Check that the deposit on your lease doesn't exceed one and a half months' rent, and ask which charges are refundable. Fill out the move-in form carefully and take dated photos so you can get your deposit back next time you move.
Free Legal Help for Renters
Community Legal Services (CLS) offers free civil legal help to eligible Arizona residents, including renters. To apply, complete CLS's online intake. Then call 602-258-3434 or toll-free 800-852-9075 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to finish the application.
Tips for Getting Move-In Help Approved
Get the move-in costs in writing from the landlord before your appointment: deposit, first month's rent and every fee.
Call early in the week. Phoenix says to try again the next week if appointments are full.
Have all your documents ready to upload. Missing paperwork can stall an application for weeks.
Ask the landlord to hold the unit. If a program pays the landlord directly, processing can take time. A landlord who knows help is coming may be willing to wait.
Call 211 if you're not sure which program covers your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Phoenix help with security deposits?
The city lists move-in assistance among its emergency services for Phoenix residents in crisis, depending on available funding. Call 602-534-2433 or apply through the HSD Community Services Program Portal.
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arizona?
No more than one and a half months' rent, including prepaid rent, under A.R.S. § 33-1321. A tenant may choose to pay more rent in advance.
Are cleaning or "admin" fees refundable in Arizona?
The landlord must state in writing the purpose of any nonrefundable fee. Any fee or deposit not designated as nonrefundable is refundable.
I live in Tempe or Chandler. Where do I apply?
Maricopa County residents outside Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa apply through the county's Community Action Program offices, starting with the county's online prescreen.
How long does an Arizona landlord have to return my deposit?
Fourteen days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, after the tenancy ends, you return possession and you ask for the deposit.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, contact Community Legal Services or another attorney.
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