Arkansas Tenant Rights
Arkansas has some of the fewest tenant protections of any U.
Last reviewed:
Key Laws by Topic
Eviction Laws
- Notice Period:
- 30 days for month-to-month termination without cause
- Just Cause Required:
- No statewide just-cause requirement
- Cure Or Quit Period:
- 14 days to cure lease violation; 5 days for nonpayment of rent
- Unlawful Detainer Process:
- Filed in district court; tenant must respond within 5 days of service
Security Deposit Laws
- Limit:
- 2 months' rent
- Return Deadline:
- 60 days after tenancy termination
- Interest Required:
- No
- Itemization Required:
- Yes — written itemized statement of deductions required
- Penalty For Wrongful Withholding:
- Tenant may recover the deposit plus up to $200 in damages for bad-faith withholding
Repair & Habitability Laws
- Repair And Deduct:
- Not codified in state law — repair-and-deduct remedy does not exist in Arkansas
- Rent Withholding:
- Not generally permitted — tenants may not withhold rent for habitability issues
- Habitability Standard:
- Compliance with housing codes affecting health and safety required under the 2007 Act
- Notice Required:
- Written notice to landlord before tenant may seek other remedies
Tenant Harassment Laws
- Anti Harassment:
- No specific anti-harassment statute; retaliation protections are narrow
- Penalties:
- Tenant may raise retaliation as a defense in eviction proceedings
- Retaliation Prohibited:
- Yes — but protections are limited compared to other states
Notice & Entry Laws
- Notice Required:
- 24 hours advance notice for non-emergency entry (by practice; not explicitly defined in hours by statute)
- Emergency Entry:
- Permitted without notice in emergency situations
- Permissible Reasons:
- Repairs, inspections, showing unit to prospective tenants or buyers
- Time Of Entry:
- Must be at a reasonable time
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Not Legal Advice. This site provides general educational information only — not legal counsel. Laws vary by location. Consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.