Question 1

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No more than 2 months' periodic rent. The deposit subchapter does not apply to individual owners (with family and their entities) who own 5 or fewer units, unless a third party manages the units for a fee.

Question 2

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Within 60 days after the tenancy ends, the deposit must be returned, less unpaid rent and damages itemized in a written notice; mailing by first class mail to the last known address complies. Does not apply to individual owners of 5 or fewer units unless a third party manages them for a fee.

Question 3

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

At least one rental period's notice before raising the rent, for both oral and written leases.

Question 5

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Arkansas, and how much?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

A tenant who fails to pay rent when due forfeits the right to stay. Under the criminal failure-to-vacate statute, after 10 days' written notice to vacate a tenant who willfully refuses commits a misdemeanor (fine $1 to $25 per day). For civil unlawful detainer, the Arkansas Attorney General says 3 days' written notice to vacate is required (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-60-304, statute text not reviewed by us).

Question 7

Can cities in Arkansas pass rent control?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 8

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 9

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No interest requirement. Neither the deposit subchapter (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-16-301 et seq.) sections reviewed nor ch. 18-17 require interest on security deposits.

Question 10

Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Is landlord retaliation illegal in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) contains no provision prohibiting landlord retaliation (full-text search of the chapter).

Question 12

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) contains no express ban on landlord self-help lockouts or utility shutoffs (full-text search of the chapter). It provides court eviction procedures (§§ 18-17-901 et seq.).

Question 13

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) imposes no lease disclosure requirements (full-text search of the chapter). 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.

Question 15

What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

When a lease ends, voluntarily or not, property left on the premises is considered abandoned and the landlord may dispose of it as the landlord sees fit, without recourse by the tenant; tenant property is also subject to a landlord's lien for sums owed.

Question 16

Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Arkansas's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (ch. 18-17) contains no military or domestic-violence early-termination right (full-text search of the chapter). Federal SCRA rights still apply.

Question 17

Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

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" entering military service, the date of the military orders, or the date of a stop movement order (50 U.S.C. 3955(a)(1)(A)-(C)).

Question 19

What federal protections does a tenant have after foreclosure in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (made permanent in 2018), whoever takes over a home through foreclosure must give a bona fide tenant at least 90 days' notice to vacate. A tenant with a bona fide lease signed before the notice of foreclosure (the date title passes) can stay until the lease ends, unless the unit is sold to a buyer who will live there as a primary residence; that buyer must still give the 90-day notice. Month-to-month and at-will tenants also get the 90 days. A tenancy is bona fide only if the tenant is not the borrower or the borrower's child, spouse or parent, the deal was at arm's length, and the rent is not far below market (unless it is subsidized). State or local laws with longer notice or more protection still apply, and any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Statute text: "the provision, by such successor in interest of a notice to vacate to any bona fide tenant at least 90 days before the effective date of such notice" (Pub. L. 111-22, SEC. 702(a)(1)).

Question 20

What is the warranty of habitability in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

For leases made or renewed after November 1, 2021, every residential lease implies minimum standards at move-in and throughout the term: hot and cold running water, electricity, potable drinking water, code-conforming sewer and plumbing, a functioning roof and building envelope, and functioning heat and air conditioning where provided (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502(a)).

Question 21

Does Arkansas have rent control?

Accepted Answer

No local rent control. Local governments may not enact or enforce an ordinance controlling the amount of rent, rental application fees or rental deposits for private property (Ark. Code Ann. § 14-16-601(b)(1)).

Question 22

How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Local governments may not cap rental application fees (Ark. Code Ann. § 14-16-601(b)(1)(B)). No state cap on application fees was found in the chapters reviewed by full-text search.

Question 23

What is the eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

For a lease violation, the landlord may give written notice that the lease ends on a date at least 14 days after the tenant receives it unless the problem is fixed within 14 days (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-701(a)(1)).

Question 24

What is the right to cure / redeem rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

The lease does not end if the violation can be fixed by repairs or otherwise and the tenant fixes it before the date in the 14-day notice (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-701(a)(2)).

Question 25

How does the eviction court process work in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

The landlord files a complaint and affidavit in district court. The court orders the tenant to vacate or show cause within 10 calendar days (§ 18-17-902). If the tenant does not respond, the tenant is ejected (§ 18-17-904). If the landlord wins, the court issues a writ of eviction within 3 days (§ 18-17-907).

Question 26

What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

If a tenant stays without consent after the lease ends, the landlord may sue for possession, recover attorney's fees for a bad-faith holdover, and for a willful violation recover up to 3 months' periodic rent or twice actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-704(c)).

Question 27

Does a landlord need just cause to evict in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days' written notice, or week-to-week with 7 days (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-704(a)-(b)). No state just-cause eviction requirement was found in the chapters reviewed by full-text search.

Question 28

What is the deposit bank holding / separate account rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute on how security deposits must be held was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 29

What is the pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute on pet deposits or animals was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 30

Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute allowing repair and deduct was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 31

Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute allowing rent withholding or rent escrow by tenants was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 32

Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring smoke or carbon monoxide detectors in rentals was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search. A tenant may install a battery-powered or plug-in smoke or carbon monoxide detector at the tenant's expense, and is then responsible for it (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502(e)).

Question 33

Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute limiting tenant screening by criminal or credit history was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 34

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute barring source-of-income discrimination was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 35

What disclosures must a landlord give in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring owner or manager identity disclosures was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 36

What is the tenant buyout disclosures rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute on tenant buyout agreements was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 37

Does a landlord have to give notice before not renewing a lease in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring notice of lease nonrenewal was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 38

What is the domestic violence early termination rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute giving domestic violence victims an early termination right was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 39

What is the scra / military lease termination rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute on military lease termination was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 40

What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute on the death of a tenant was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 41

What is the eviction record sealing rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute sealing eviction records was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 42

What is the tenant relocation assistance rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring relocation assistance was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 43

What rights does a tenant have after foreclosure in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute protecting tenants after foreclosure was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 44

Do landlords need a rental license or registration in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring rental registration was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 45

Can the city inspect my rental property in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring rental inspections was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 46

What is the property manager licensing rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A person who rents or leases real estate for another for a fee must hold an Arkansas real estate broker or property management license; acting without the appropriate license is unlawful (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 17-42-103, 17-42-301(d)).

Question 47

What are the Airbnb / short-term rental rules in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

No state statute regulating short-term rentals was found in Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) and § 14-16-601, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 48

What is the rental / transient occupancy tax rule in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Lodging furnished to transient guests (rentals on less than a month-to-month basis) is subject to state gross receipts tax (Ark. Code Ann. § 26-52-301(3)(A); 26 CAR § 30-501) plus a 2% state tourism tax (26 CAR § 30-1407). Local taxes may also apply.

Question 49

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

$65 uniform filing fee to start a civil-division district court action, which applies to an eviction complaint (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-17-705(b)(1), 18-17-902(a)(2)). A $15 technology fee (§ 21-6-416) is listed in the Arkansas Judiciary District Court Benchbook (rev. 2017).

Question 50

Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

A full-text search of official Ark. Code Ann. ch. 18-17 (the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007) found no provision on a tenant's right to sublet or assign a residential lease, or on landlord consent to a sublet or assignment. That is a scoped none_found finding for chapter 18-17, not a finding that there is no restriction. The lease terms control unless another law, including a local ordinance, applies. That none_found finding is scoped to chapter 18-17 only. Chapter 18-16 was only partly searched: sampled sections plus official 2025 Regular Session Acts 941, 662, and 393 (which amended listed 18-16 sections: Act 941, oral farmland-lease termination; Act 662, adding capital rape to a domestic-abuse definition in § 18-16-112; and Act 393, self-service storage facilities). Those official act PDFs do not add a residential subletting or assignment-consent rule. The official 2026 Fiscal Session list of Title 18 amendments was empty.

Arkansas landlord-tenant law FAQ