Alaska landlord-tenant law FAQ
40 answers to common Alaska landlord questions. Every answer is a verified fact with its official source and last-checked date.
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Alaska?
Maximum 2 months' rent (does not apply when rent is over $2,000 a month). A pet deposit of up to 1 month's rent is allowed on top.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.070(a) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full security deposit limit page
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Alaska?
Within 14 days, or 30 days if deductions are made for damage or the tenant didn't give proper notice.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.070(g) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full deposit return deadline page
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Alaska?
At least 24 hours' notice before entry.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.140(c) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full notice to enter page
How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Alaska?
Alaska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03, read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no specific notice period for rent increases. A month-to-month rent change takes effect through the 30-day termination notice rule, and increases cannot be retaliatory.
Verified Source: AS 34.03 (incl. 34.03.290, 34.03.310) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent increase notice page
Can a landlord charge a late fee in Alaska, and how much?
Alaska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03, read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no cap on late fees; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: AS 34.03 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fees page
What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Alaska?
7-day notice for nonpayment of rent.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.220(b) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction notice (nonpayment) page
Can cities in Alaska pass rent control?
Alaska's landlord-tenant act (AS 34.03, read in full on 2026-10-15) neither imposes rent control nor preempts local rent control. Rent levels are set by the lease, subject only to the anti-retaliation rule (AS 34.03.310).
Verified Source: AS 34.03 (incl. 34.03.020, 34.03.310) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent control / state preemption page
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Alaska?
Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date named in the notice. Week-to-week tenancies need 14 days' written notice.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.290(a)–(b) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full ending a month-to-month tenancy page
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Alaska?
Alaska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03, read in full on 2026-10-15) requires deposits to be kept in a trust account but does not require interest to be paid to the tenant.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.070(c) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full interest on deposits page
Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Alaska?
If the landlord requires it, the lease must include or attach a premises condition statement and, if applicable, a contents inventory describing the condition at move-in. Once both sign, it becomes part of the lease and is presumptive evidence of condition.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.020(e); 34.03.090(b); 34.03.335 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full move-in/move-out checklist page
Is landlord retaliation illegal in Alaska?
A landlord may not raise rent, cut services or bring or threaten an eviction because a tenant complained about conditions, enforced rights under the chapter, joined a tenant union or complained to a government agency. Exceptions include nonpayment of rent.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.310(a)–(c) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full retaliation protections page
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Alaska?
If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes a tenant, or willfully cuts electricity, gas, water or other essential services, the tenant can recover possession or end the lease and recover up to 1.5 times actual damages.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.210 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full lockouts and utility shutoffs page
What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Alaska?
For a material breach affecting health and safety, the tenant can give written notice that the lease ends in 20 days unless the landlord fixes the problem within 10 days. If heat, water, hot water or other essential services are not supplied, after written notice the tenant can buy them and deduct the cost from rent, recover damages, or get substitute housing.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.160(a); 34.03.180 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full repairs and habitability remedies page
What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Alaska?
At or before move-in, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the manager and of the owner (or the owner's agent for legal notices), and keep this information current. Deposit withholding terms must also be provided.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.080(a)–(b); 34.03.070(c) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full required lease disclosures page
What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Alaska?
If a tenant leaves property behind, the landlord can give notice to remove it within at least 15 days, then sell it at public sale. Property of little value may be destroyed after the same notice.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.260(a) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full abandoned property page
Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Alaska?
Alaska's landlord-tenant act (AS 34.03, read in full on 2026-10-15) has no early-termination right for domestic-violence victims or servicemembers; the lease terms control. Servicemembers may still rely on the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Verified Source: AS 34.03 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full early termination (dv/military) page
Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Alaska?
Alaska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03, read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no grace period before a late fee; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: AS 34.03 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fee grace period page
How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Alaska?
A search of the full text of AS 34.03, the landlord-tenant statute, found no application-fee limit.
Verified Source: AS 34.03 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full application fees & screening page
How does the eviction court process work in Alaska?
The summons in a forcible entry and detainer case must be served at least 2 days before trial. A continuance longer than 2 days requires the tenant to post an undertaking covering accruing rent.
Verified Source: AS 09.45.120 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction court process & timeline page
Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Alaska?
If the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply heat, running water, hot water or essential services, the tenant may give written notice and buy reasonable amounts of them during the outage and deduct the actual, reasonable cost from rent (or get damages or substitute housing instead).
Verified Source: AS 34.03.180 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full repair and deduct page
Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Alaska?
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a tenant can't sublet or assign without the landlord's consent. The landlord may refuse a proposed occupant within 14 days only in writing and only for listed reasons (e.g., credit, household size, pets, commercial use, refusal to take the same terms).
Verified Source: AS 34.03.060 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full subletting & assignment page
What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Alaska?
If a tenant stays without consent after the lease ends or is terminated, the landlord may serve a notice to quit and sue for possession. For a willful, bad-faith holdover, the landlord may also recover up to 1.5 times actual damages.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.290(c) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full holdover tenants page
Does a landlord have to give notice before not renewing a lease in Alaska?
A search of the full text of AS 34.03 found no notice requirement for ending a fixed-term lease at its end. The notice rules in AS 34.03.290 cover week-to-week (14 days) and month-to-month (30 days) tenancies.
Verified Source: AS 34.03 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full lease renewal / non-renewal notice page
Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Alaska?
The landlord must provide smoke detection and carbon monoxide detection devices as required by AS 18.70.095. The tenant must maintain them.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.100(a)(7); AS 34.03.120 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full smoke & co detectors page
Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Alaska?
In a possession case where the landlord's violations are a defense, the court may order the tenant to pay accrued and future rent into court. If the violations aren't fixed within six months, the court enters judgment for the tenant.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.190 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent withholding / escrow page
What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in Alaska?
A search of the full text of the Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) found no provision on a tenant's death.
Verified Source: AS 34.03 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full death of a tenant page
What is the pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals rule in Alaska?
On top of the regular deposit cap, a landlord may require an extra pet deposit of up to one month's rent for a pet that is not a service animal. It must be accounted for separately and can only be used for pet damage.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.070(h) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals page
What is the tenant relocation assistance rule in Alaska?
For mobile home park closures or changes in land use, residents get at least 270 days' notice. A municipality may set up a mobile home relocation fund and require compensation or longer notice. The landlord-tenant act has no general relocation payment.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.225; AS 34.03 searched in full · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full tenant relocation assistance page
What is the rent receipts, payment methods & cash rule in Alaska?
A search of the full text of AS ch. 34.03 found no rule requiring rent receipts, requiring or banning any payment method, or limiting payment fees. Unless otherwise agreed, rent is due at the time and place the parties agreed.
Verified Source: AS ch. 34.03 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent receipts, payment methods & cash page
What is the eviction record sealing rule in Alaska?
A search of the full text of AS 09.45.060-09.45.160 (forcible entry and detainer) found no provision for sealing or expunging eviction records. Court rules or other statutes, which this site has not reviewed, may still provide for it.
Verified Source: AS 09.45.060-09.45.160 (forcible entry and detainer) (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction record sealing page
What is the condo conversion protections rule in Alaska?
Residential tenants of conversion property must get notice and the public offering statement at least 180 days before they must vacate. For a mobile home park conversion, the notice must come at least one year before.
Verified Source: AS 34.08.620 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full condo conversion protections page
What is the deposit bank holding / separate account rule in Alaska?
Where practicable, deposits and prepaid rent must be promptly placed in a trust account at a bank, savings and loan or licensed escrow agent. Deposits from several tenants may share an account if accounted for separately per tenant, but may not be mixed with the landlord's other funds. Code text: "shall be promptly deposited by the landlord, wherever practicable, in a trust account in a bank, savings and loan association, or licensed escrow agent."
Verified Source: AS 34.03.070(c) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full deposit bank holding / separate account page
What is the eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) rule in Alaska?
For a material lease violation, the landlord serves a notice to quit naming the breach and ending the lease at least 10 days after service. For deliberate substantial damage (over $400) or illegal activity, the notice can be 24 hours to 5 days. Code text: "specifying that the rental agreement will terminate on a date not less than 10 days after service of the notice."
Verified Source: AS 34.03.220(a) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) page
What is the right to cure / redeem rule in Alaska?
Yes, for ordinary lease violations. If the breach can be fixed and the tenant fixes it before the date in the 10-day notice, the lease does not end. A repeat within six months can be ended on 5 days' notice. Code text: "if the breach is remediable by repairs or the payment of damages or otherwise and the tenant adequately remedies the breach before the date specified in the notice, the rental agreement will not terminate."
Verified Source: AS 34.03.220(a)(2) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full right to cure / redeem page
What is the manufactured / mobile home parks rule in Alaska?
A mobile home park operator may evict only for listed reasons: unpaid rent, certain continuing law violations, breach of an enforceable lease term, or a change in land use. A change in land use needs at least 270 days' notice, with a quit date from May 1 to October 15. Code text: "A mobile home park operator may evict a mobile home or a mobile home park dweller or tenant only for one of the following reasons."
Verified Source: AS 34.03.225 · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full manufactured / mobile home parks page
What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Alaska?
Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after."
Verified Source: 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full military lease termination (federal scra, all states) page
What is the tenant buyout disclosures rule in Alaska?
The state landlord-tenant statute (AS 34.03 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), read in full on 2026-10-16) has no provision on tenant buyout agreements or buyout disclosures. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.
Verified Source: AS 34.03 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full tenant buyout disclosures page
What is the property manager licensing rule in Alaska?
Alaska requires a real estate license to collect rent or property-management fees for others, or to practice property management (AS 08.88.161). AS 08.88.900 exempts some people, such as owners managing their own property and individuals who manage for another without a fee. Statute text: "collect rent for the use of real estate or collect fees for property management" (AS 08.88.161).
Verified Source: AS 08.88.161 · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full property manager licensing page
What is the guest & occupancy limits rule in Alaska?
Alaska's residential landlord-tenant law (AS 34.03, read in full on 2026-10-16) sets no numeric guest or persons-per-bedroom limit. AS 34.03.120(a)(10) only bars exceeding numbers allowed by other applicable law, a covenant, or the lease; local codes and fair-housing rules still apply. Statute text: "may not allow the number of individuals occupying the premises to exceed the number allowed by applicable law, by a covenant limiting the landlord's use of the premises, or the rental agreement" (AS 34.03.120(a)(10)).
Verified Source: AS 34.03 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, read in full); AS 34.03.120(a)(10) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full guest & occupancy limits page
Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Alaska?
Alaska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03.010–.380, read in full on 2026-10-16) sets no rules on screening applicants' criminal or credit history; federal fair-housing and FCRA rules still apply.
Verified Source: AS 34.03.010–.380 · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full criminal & credit history rules page
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