Arkansas (AR) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Arkansas, serve the correct written notice (as short as 3 days for nonpayment of rent), then file an unlawful detainer complaint in District or Circuit Court if the tenant does not comply. A judge typically hears the case within 10 to 21 days of filing, and after a ruling in your favor the sheriff executes the writ of possession. The full process from notice to lockout usually takes 3 to 8 weeks.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violations, holdover after lease end, criminal activity |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 3 days (nonpayment of rent) |
| Where to file | District Court or Circuit Court (county where property is located) |
| Filing fee | About $60 to $165 (varies by county) |
| Typical timeframe | 3 to 8 weeks notice to lockout |
Required before filing for nonpayment of rent; tenant must pay in full or vacate within 3 days.
Used for curable lease violations; tenant has 14 days to fix the problem or move out.
Required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause; no opportunity to cure.
Landlords may file directly in court for serious criminal activity or substantial property damage without advance notice.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve the Written Notice | 3 to 30 days | Deliver the correct notice in writing; the clock starts the day after the tenant receives it. |
| 2. Wait Out the Notice Period | 3 to 30 days | If the tenant pays, cures, or vacates, the eviction stops here; if not, proceed to court. |
| 3. File an Unlawful Detainer Complaint | 1 to 3 days | Submit the complaint, summons, and supporting documents to the District or Circuit Court in the county where the property sits. |
| 4. Serve the Tenant and Attend the Hearing | 10 to 21 days after filing | A sheriff, deputy, or licensed process server delivers the summons; the court then sets a hearing, typically within 2 to 3 weeks. |
| 5. Obtain a Judgment | Day of hearing | If the judge rules in your favor, the court issues a judgment for possession and may also award unpaid rent and court costs. |
| 6. Execute the Writ of Possession | A few days after judgment | The sheriff serves the writ on the tenant; if the tenant has not left within the writ deadline, the sheriff performs the physical lockout. |
Filing an unlawful detainer case in Arkansas costs about $60 to $165 in court fees, depending on the county, plus roughly $50 to $75 for process service by a sheriff or private server. When attorney fees, lost rent, and the sheriff lockout fee are included, the average total eviction runs about $263 to $500 or more.
Once the court enters a judgment for the landlord, the clerk issues a writ of possession, which the landlord presents to the sheriff's office. The county sheriff serves the writ on the tenant and, if the tenant has not vacated by the deadline stated in the writ, physically removes them and their belongings from the property. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing doors, or cutting utilities without a court order) is illegal in Arkansas and exposes landlords to liability.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Ark. Code Ann. 18-60-301 through 18-60-312 (Forcible Entry and Detainer; Unlawful Detainer). Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Arkansas eviction FAQ
The full process typically takes **3 to 8 weeks** from the day the landlord serves the notice to the day the sheriff performs the lockout. The notice period alone is 3 to 30 days, and after filing, the court usually schedules a hearing within 10 to 21 days.
Court filing fees run about **$60 to $165** depending on the county, plus roughly $50 to $75 for process service. All-in, including any attorney fees and the sheriff lockout, most Arkansas landlords spend **$263 to $500 or more** per eviction.
No. Arkansas law requires a court order before a tenant can be removed from a rental. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out) are illegal and can expose the landlord to a lawsuit.
A landlord must serve a written **3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit**. The tenant then has 3 days to pay all rent owed or vacate; if neither happens, the landlord can file an unlawful detainer complaint in court.
Eviction cases (unlawful detainer actions) are filed in the **District Court or Circuit Court** in the county where the rental property is located. District Court handles most residential cases, but landlords may file in Circuit Court, especially when also claiming significant money damages.
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