Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law
Know your rights as a renter in Arkansas. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Arkansas law.
Legal basis: Arkansas landlord-tenant law — Arkansas Code
60
Days to Return Deposit
2 months' rent
Max Deposit
No state rule
Entry Notice
Not Required
Deposit Escrow
Max Deposit shows the short version — read the full rule below.
What Arkansas law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
2 months' rent; does not apply to an exempt small landlord (an individual owning five or fewer dwelling units with no paid third-party manager)
Return Deadline
60 days
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Arkansas law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Tenant may recover the property and money due, damages equal to two (2) times the amount wrongfully withheld, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees (Ark. Code § 18-16-306). Liability is limited to costs plus the sum erroneously withheld if the landlord proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the noncompliance resulted from an error despite procedures reasonably designed to avoid it, or from a good-faith dispute as to the amount due. None of the deposit rules, including this remedy, apply to dwelling units owned by an individual who, with a spouse, minor children and their rental entities, owns five or fewer dwelling units, except units managed (including rent collection) by a paid third party (Ark. Code § 18-16-303).
Interest on your deposit is not required
Grace period
No mandatory grace period
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
No state rule
No Arkansas statute sets entry notice; your lease's terms apply
No Arkansas statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering. Your lease's entry terms apply, so check what it says about notice and entry times.
No notice statute; no caps
Legal basis: No Statute
30 days, then you may end the lease
Legal basis: Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502
Limited protection
Legal basis: Arkansas Code § 18-17
No statewide early-exit law
Legal basis: No state statute
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: Ark. Code § 18-60-302
Important facts about Arkansas rental law
Arkansas limits security deposits to 2 months' rent, unless the landlord is an individual who owns five or fewer rental units and manages them without a paid third party.
Arkansas landlords must return deposits within 60 days of move-out.
Arkansas has only a limited implied warranty: for leases signed or renewed after Nov. 1, 2021, six basic standards (such as running water, electricity and a working roof) are implied, and a tenant's only remedy is to end the lease after 30 days' written notice (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502).
Arkansas tenants should carefully document the unit's condition at move-in.
Something else? Contact our team
In Arkansas, the security deposit limit is 2 months' rent; does not apply to an exempt small landlord (an individual owning five or fewer dwelling units with no paid third-party manager).
Arkansas landlords must return security deposits within 60 days after you move out.
No Arkansas statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering, so your lease's entry terms apply.
Late fees in Arkansas: No statutory cap. No mandatory grace period.
No notice statute; no caps. No Arkansas statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the end date (Ark. Code § 18-17-704(b)). No statewide rent cap. Source: No Statute.
30 days, then you may end the lease. Leases signed or renewed after Nov 1, 2021 must include running hot and cold water, electricity, drinking water, working sewer and plumbing, a sound roof, and existing heat and A/C (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502(a)). Send written notice by certified mail or the method in your lease (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502(d)(1)). If rent is current and it isn't fixed in 30 days, your only remedy is ending the lease without penalty and getting your deposit back (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502(d)(2)). You may not withhold or deduct rent (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502(d)(3)). Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502.
Limited protection. Limited protections. Document all communications. Consult attorney if needed. Source: Arkansas Code § 18-17.
No statewide early-exit law. Arkansas has no statewide law that lets a domestic violence victim end a lease early. A landlord may not end or refuse to renew your tenancy because a court order shows you are a domestic abuse victim, and you may change the locks at your own cost with the landlord's consent (Ark. Code § 18-16-112). A court protection order may be able to order the abuser out of the home. If your home is federally assisted (public housing or a voucher), the federal Violence Against Women Act gives separate protections. A domestic violence hotline (1-800-799-7233) or legal aid can help you plan a safe move. Source: No state statute.
Self-help illegal. A landlord cannot enter and take possession from a tenant without first using legal process; the Arkansas Supreme Court held self-help prohibited (Ark. Code § 18-60-302, applied in Gorman v. Ratliff, 289 Ark. 332 (1986)). A lease clause that authorizes self-help is invalid (Gorman v. Ratliff). The landlord must recover possession through an unlawful detainer court action (Ark. Code § 18-60-301 et seq.). Contact police if locked out. Source: Ark. Code § 18-60-302.
Arkansas tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Arkansas law.
Plain-language answers that apply in Arkansas and beyond
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