Arkansas landlord-tenant law FAQ
18 answers to common Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
No more than 2 months' rent (applies to landlords renting 6 or more units).
Verified Source: Ark. security-deposit law, as summarized by the Arkansas Attorney General · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full security deposit limit page
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Arkansas?
Within 60 days after the tenant vacates, with a written itemized list of any deductions (landlords with 6+ units).
Verified Source: Ark. security-deposit law, as summarized by the Arkansas Attorney General · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full deposit return deadline page
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Arkansas?
The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter to inspect, repair, provide services, investigate lease violations or criminal activity, or show the unit. Ch. 18-17 sets no specific advance-notice period for entry.
Verified Source: A.C.A. § 18-17-602(a) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full notice to enter page
How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Arkansas?
At least one rental period's notice before raising the rent, for both oral and written leases.
Verified Source: Arkansas Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Rights · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent increase notice page
Can a landlord charge a late fee in Arkansas, and how much?
Ch. 18-17 sets no cap on late fees. Late charges are treated as part of 'rent'. If rent is not paid within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement.
Verified Source: A.C.A. §§ 18-17-301(10), 18-17-701(b) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fees page
What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Arkansas?
Unlawful detainer requires 3 days' written notice to vacate.
Verified Source: Arkansas Attorney General summary (unlawful detainer) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction notice (nonpayment) page
Can cities in Arkansas pass rent control?
Local governments may not enact, maintain or enforce ordinances controlling the amount charged for rent, rental application fees or rental deposits on private residential or commercial property (amended 2025).
Verified Source: A.C.A. § 14-16-601 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent control / state preemption page
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Arkansas?
Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice given at least 30 days before the termination date in the notice (7 days for week-to-week).
Verified Source: A.C.A. § 18-17-704(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 Arkansas?
Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) does not require interest on security deposits (full chapter read).
Verified Source: Ark. Code ch. 18-17 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full interest on deposits page
Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Arkansas?
The landlord is deemed compliant with the implied quality standards if, at move-in, it gives the tenant a written form to list defects and the tenant signs it without noting a defect or does not return it within 2 business days. The chapter does not otherwise require a move-in inspection.
Verified Source: A.C.A. § 18-17-502(c)(1) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full move-in/move-out checklist page
Is landlord retaliation illegal in Arkansas?
Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) contains no provision prohibiting landlord retaliation (whole chapter read).
Verified Source: A.C.A. ch. 18-17 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full retaliation protections page
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Arkansas?
Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) contains no express ban on landlord self-help lockouts or utility shutoffs (whole chapter read). It provides court eviction procedures (§§ 18-17-901 et seq.).
Verified Source: A.C.A. ch. 18-17 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full lockouts and utility shutoffs page
What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Arkansas?
For leases made or renewed after Nov. 1, 2021, units must have running hot and cold water, electricity, potable water, sanitary sewer and plumbing, a functioning roof and envelope, and existing heating and air conditioning. If the landlord does not fix a noncompliance within 30 days after written notice (with rent current), the tenant's sole remedy is to terminate without penalty and get the deposit back. Rent may not be withheld or offset.
Verified Source: A.C.A. § 18-17-502 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full repairs and habitability remedies page
What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Arkansas?
Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) imposes no lease disclosure requirements (full chapter read). It mentions disclosure only in defining a manager who fails to disclose as a 'landlord.' Federal lead-paint disclosure still applies to pre-1978 housing.
Verified Source: Ark. Code ch. 18-17 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full required lease disclosures page
What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Arkansas?
The Arkansas AG says state law treats all property left in the dwelling when a lease ends, voluntarily or not, as abandoned, and the landlord may dispose of it as it sees fit without recourse by the tenant. Such property is also subject to a landlord lien for sums owed.
Verified Source: Arkansas AG, Landlord and Tenant Rights · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full abandoned property page
Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Arkansas?
Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) contains no military or domestic-violence early-termination right (full chapter read). Federal SCRA rights still apply.
Verified Source: Ark. Code ch. 18-17 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full early termination (dv/military) page
Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Arkansas?
Ch. 18-17 sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged. It does give the tenant 5 days after the due date before the landlord may terminate for nonpayment.
Verified Source: A.C.A. § 18-17-701(b) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fee grace period page
What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Arkansas?
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
Arkansas cities with their own rules
- Fayetteville landlord rules
- Johnson landlord rules
- Jonesboro landlord rules
- Little Rock landlord rules
- Pine Bluff landlord rules
All Arkansas landlord-tenant law
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