Arkansas (AR) law guide
Quick answer
Arkansas landlord-tenant law caps security deposits at 2 months' rent (for landlords with 6+ units) and requires return within 60 days. There is no statewide rent control, and landlords must give at least one full rental period of written notice before raising rent. For nonpayment of rent, landlords must serve a 3-day written notice to vacate before filing for eviction in civil court.
Security Deposit Limit
2 months' rent (landlords with 6+ units)
Deposit Return Deadline
60 days after move-out
Statewide Rent Control
None, banned statewide
Nonpayment Eviction Notice
3 days (civil) or 10 days (criminal action)
Arkansas rental market snapshot
Population
3.07 million
Renter households
34%
Median rent
~$1,050/mo (2BR)
Largest rental markets
Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro
Arkansas is one of the most affordable rental markets in the US, with 2BR median rents well below the national average. Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas corridor run notably higher due to University of Arkansas demand.
Arkansas limits security deposits to 2 months' rent, but only for landlords who own 6 or more rental units or who hire a third-party property manager regardless of unit count. Landlords with 5 or fewer self-managed units are not subject to the statutory cap.
Landlords must return the deposit (with a written, itemized deduction list if any amount is withheld) within 60 days of move-out. A landlord who wrongfully withholds any portion owes the tenant the amount withheld plus double damages (2x the amount kept).
Arkansas has no statewide rent control, and cities and counties are prohibited by law from enacting local rent control ordinances (Ark. Code Ann. § 14-16-601). Landlords may raise rent by any amount.
Before raising rent, landlords must give written notice of at least one full rental period in advance. For month-to-month tenants that means 30 days' written notice. There is no state-mandated grace period for late rent, and late fees are enforceable if written into the lease.
For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must serve a 3-day written notice to quit before filing a civil eviction lawsuit. In a criminal (unlawful detainer) action, the notice period is 10 days. Once filed, the tenant has 5 days to respond after receiving the court summons.
For a lease violation other than nonpayment, the landlord must give 14 days' notice to cure or vacate. Arkansas courts typically schedule eviction hearings quickly, making the state notably landlord-friendly on eviction timelines.
Arkansas law does not specify a minimum notice period before a landlord enters a rental unit, but courts and the Arkansas AG recommend providing reasonable advance notice (typically at least 24 hours). Emergencies allow immediate entry.
Arkansas is unique: it is the only state without a traditional implied warranty of habitability. However, for leases signed after November 1, 2021, landlords must provide running water, electricity, a sanitary sewer system, a functioning roof, and working heat and air conditioning at move-in and throughout the tenancy.
Tenants in Arkansas have limited statutory habitability protections compared to most states. For leases after November 1, 2021, a landlord who fails to fix a required condition within 30 days of written notice may allow the tenant to terminate the lease without penalty and recover the security deposit.
Arkansas does not have a specific anti-retaliation statute for private landlord-tenant disputes, though the federal Fair Housing Act protects tenants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in renting based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. Arkansas does not add protected classes beyond the federal standard at the state level.
To break a lease early, a tenant generally owes rent through the end of the lease term unless the landlord re-rents the unit. There is no statutory buy-out formula, so the lease language controls. Month-to-month tenants may terminate with one rental period's written notice.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, Ark. Code Ann. Title 18, Chapter 17. Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-05.
Arkansas FAQ
**60 days** from the date the tenant moves out and returns possession. The landlord must include a written, itemized list of any deductions. Miss the deadline and the landlord owes the withheld amount plus double damages.
Yes. Arkansas has **no rent control** and bans cities from creating local caps. The only requirement is **at least one rental period's written notice** before the increase takes effect (30 days on a month-to-month lease).
In a civil eviction action, the landlord must give a **3-day written notice to quit**. In a criminal unlawful-detainer action, the notice period is **10 days**. After the notice expires, the landlord may file in district court.
Mostly no for older leases, but for leases signed after **November 1, 2021**, landlords must provide running water, electricity, a functioning sewer system, a working roof, and operational heat and AC. Arkansas is the only state without a traditional implied warranty of habitability for older lease agreements.
There is **no state statute specifying a minimum notice period**. The Arkansas AG and courts recommend **reasonable advance notice** (typically 24 hours). Landlords may enter immediately in a genuine emergency without prior notice.
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