Alaska (AK) law guide
Quick answer
Alaska landlord-tenant law is governed by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03). Landlords can charge a security deposit of up to 2 months' rent and must return it within 14 to 30 days after move-out. Alaska has no statewide rent control, and landlords must give 7 days' written notice before beginning eviction for nonpayment of rent.
Security Deposit Limit
2 months' rent
Deposit Return Deadline
14 days (with proper notice) or 30 days
Statewide Rent Control
None
Nonpayment Eviction Notice
7 days to pay or quit
Alaska rental market snapshot
Population
about 737,000
Renter households
about 35%
Median rent
about $1,450/mo (2BR)
Largest rental markets
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla, Kenai
Anchorage rents rose 4% in 2024 and now average over $1,600/mo, driven by limited housing supply. Fairbanks follows closely, making Alaska one of the higher-cost rental markets in the Western US.
Landlords can charge up to 2 months' rent as a security deposit (AS 34.03.070). There is no separate cap for furnished units under current Alaska law.
If the tenant gives proper move-out notice, the landlord must return the deposit within 14 days. Without proper notice, the deadline extends to 30 days. Landlords who miss the deadline or wrongfully withhold the deposit can be liable for the full deposit amount plus damages.
Alaska has no statewide rent control, so landlords can raise rent by any amount with proper notice. For month-to-month leases, landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Alaska law does not cap late fees, but any fee must be stated in the lease to be enforceable. There is no mandatory grace period under state law, though leases may include one.
For nonpayment of rent, landlords must serve a 7-day written notice to pay or quit (AS 34.03.220(b)). If the tenant pays in full within those 7 days, the eviction stops. If the landlord accepts partial payment, they must start the process over.
For lease violations, landlords give a 10-day notice to cure (or 3 days for serious health and safety violations). Self-help evictions such as changing locks or removing belongings are illegal and expose the landlord to liability.
Landlords must give at least 24 hours' written notice before entering a rental unit for non-emergency repairs or inspections (AS 34.03.140). The notice must state the date, approximate time, and purpose. Emergency entry (such as a burst pipe or gas leak) is permitted without notice.
Landlords are required to keep the unit habitable and make repairs within a reasonable time after written notice. For conditions that threaten health or safety, tenants may give a written notice that the lease terminates in 20 days if the landlord does not fix the problem within 10 days.
Alaska law guarantees tenants the right to a habitable dwelling with functioning heat, plumbing, and weatherproofing (AS 34.03.100). Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for complaining about conditions or contacting a housing code inspector.
Retaliation is presumed if a landlord raises rent, reduces services, or files for eviction within 90 days of a tenant exercising a legal right. Tenants who prove retaliation can recover up to 3 months' rent plus attorney's fees.
Alaska follows federal Fair Housing Act protections, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. Alaska adds marital status as a protected class under state law.
Tenants can legally break a lease early if the unit is uninhabitable, if the landlord retaliates, if the tenant is a military service member deploying or receiving orders (under the federal SCRA), or if the tenant is a documented domestic violence victim. Tenants who break a lease without a legal justification remain liable for rent until a new tenant is found. Small claims court handles disputes up to $10,000 without an attorney.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03). Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-05.
Alaska FAQ
Alaska landlords can charge up to **2 months' rent** as a security deposit under AS 34.03.070. This cap applies regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished.
The landlord has **14 days** to return the deposit if the tenant gave proper written move-out notice, or **30 days** if no notice was given. The refund and any itemized deductions must be mailed to the tenant's last known address.
No. For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must give **at least 30 days' written notice** before a rent increase takes effect. Alaska has no statewide rent control, so there is no limit on how much rent can be raised, only on how much notice is required.
The landlord must first serve a **7-day notice to pay or quit**. If the tenant does not pay or move out, the landlord files for eviction in court. The full process typically takes **3 to 6 weeks** from notice to court judgment, depending on the court's schedule and whether the tenant contests the eviction.
Landlords must give **at least 24 hours' notice** before entering for inspections or non-emergency repairs (AS 34.03.140). Entry without notice is only permitted in a genuine emergency, such as a fire or flooding.
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