Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Arizona

I'm a landlord in the state of Arizona and had to go to court to force my tenant to move out. The judge found on my behalf for the unpaid rent and rendered a judgment on my behalf for the unpaid rent. I forgot to introduce the unpaid electric bills.
The lease agreement specified that the tenant was responsible for the utilities. The tenant could not pay the security deposit to the electric company and I agreed that I would keep the electric service in my name and she could pay me. When she stopped paying rent, she also stopped paying me for the electric bill.
I have not yet returned to her the security deposit that she paid upon renting my property. I still have a couple of weeks, under Arizona law, to return said deposit. Can I, legally, deduct the unpaid electric bills from her security deposit?

Asked on 8/10/10, 9:01 pm

Debra Palomino PALOMINO LAW FIRM, P.C.

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Yes, and you can sue for all damages per your default provisions, if any, set forth in your lease agreement.

Answered on 8/16/10, 12:20 pm

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