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Renting in Alaska

Your rights as a tenant in Alaska

In Alaska, the landlord has 14 or 30 days, depending on the case to return your deposit. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.

The rules, one by oneFree or low-cost legal help
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To return your deposit
14 or 30 days, depending on the case
Alaska Stat. §34.03.070(g)
Notice for late rent
7 days
Alaska Stat. §34.03.220(b)
Month-to-month notice
30 days
Alaska Stat. §34.03.290(a)-(b)

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

What the law says

The rules, one by one

The basic rules for renting in Alaska, answered with state law and its citation.

Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.

  1. When must they return my deposit?

    14 or 30 days, depending on the case

    If you or the landlord gave the notice to end the tenancy that the law requires, the landlord must mail you the written list of deductions and your refund within 14 days after the tenancy ends and you return the unit. If money is deducted for damages, the landlord has 30 days. If you did not give that notice, the landlord also has 30 days.

    What the law says · Alaska Stat. §34.03.070(g)
    “If the landlord or tenant gives notice that complies with AS 34.03.290, the landlord shall mail the written notice and refund required by (b) of this section within 14 days after the tenancy is terminated and possession is delivered by the tenant, except the landlord shall have 30 days after the tenancy is terminated to mail the refund if costs are deducted for damages that the landlord has suffered because of the tenant's noncompliance with AS 34.03.120. If the tenant does not give notice that complies with AS 34.03.290, the landlord shall mail the written notice and refund required by (b) of this section within 30 days after the tenancy is terminated, possession is delivered by the tenant, or the landlord becomes aware that the dwelling unit is abandoned.”

    Source: Alaska State Legislature – Alaska Statutes · Verified on October 24, 2026

  2. If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?

    7 days

    If you don't pay rent on time, the landlord can give you a written notice. If you don't pay the full rent within 7 days after the notice, the tenancy ends unless the landlord agrees to let you stay.

    What the law says · Alaska Stat. §34.03.220(b)
    “If rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay rent in full within seven days after written notice by the landlord of nonpayment and the intention to terminate the rental agreement if the rent is not paid within that period of time, the tenancy terminates unless the landlord agrees to allow the tenant to remain in occupancy”

    Source: Alaska State Legislature – Alaska Statutes · Verified on October 24, 2026

  3. How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?

    30 days

    To end a month-to-month rental in Alaska, the landlord or the tenant must give written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date named in the notice. For a week-to-week rental with rent paid up, the notice is at least 14 days.

    What the law says · Alaska Stat. §34.03.290(a)-(b)
    “While rent is current, the landlord or the tenant may terminate a week to week tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least 14 days before the termination date specified in the notice. (b) The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month to month tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least 30 days before the rental due date specified in the notice.”

    Source: Alaska State Legislature – Alaska Statutes · Verified on October 24, 2026

  4. Are there limits on late fees?

    Alaska law sets no limit on late fees.

    Alaska law sets no rules and no limit on late fees. The Department of Law's handbook explains that the Landlord and Tenant Act does not say whether landlords may charge a late fee, and that even where a fee is in the agreement, a tenant cannot be evicted for not paying it while current on rent.

    What the law says · Alaska Department of Law (handbook "The Alaska Landlord & Tenant Act")
    “The Landlord and Tenant Act does not state whether landlords may assess late charges when the rent is late or fees when a check is returned for insufficient funds. … Also, even if the late fees are enforceable, a tenant cannot be evicted for failure to pay late fees if the tenant is current on rent payments.”

    Source: Alaska Department of Law (handbook "The Alaska Landlord & Tenant Act") · Verified on November 5, 2026

Protections

Protections the law gives you

We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.

  • Only a court order can remove you

    Yes: state law says so

    The landlord cannot remove you or take back your home on their own. They also cannot wilfully cut off electricity, gas, water, sanitary or other essential services to force you out. The only exceptions are if you abandoned or surrendered the home, energy conditions beyond the landlord's control, or what this law allows.

    What the law says · Alaska Stat. §34.03.280
    “A landlord may not recover or take possession of the dwelling unit by action or otherwise, including wilful diminution of services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of electricity, gas, water, sanitary, or other essential services to the tenant, except in case of abandonment, surrender, circumstances beyond the control of the landlord due to energy conditions, or as permitted in this chapter.”

    Alaska State Legislature – Alaska Statutes

Eviction

How an eviction works in Alaska

Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.

Compare with other states

  1. 7-day notice to pay rent (Notice to Quit)

    at least 7 days

    What the law says · Alaska Stat. §34.03.220(b)
    “the tenant fails to pay rent in full within seven days after written notice by the landlord of nonpayment”

    akleg.gov

  2. Landlord files the eviction (FED) complaint

    What the law says · Alaska Stat. §09.45.110
    “An action for the recovery of the possession of the premises may be commenced on or after the date the tenant or person in possession unlawfully holds possession of the dwelling unit or rental premises by force, as determined under AS 09.45.090.”

    akleg.gov

  3. Service of the summons and complaint

    at least 2 days

    What the law says · Alaska R. Civ. P. 85(a)(2)
    “Summons shall be served not less than two days before the day of the eviction hearing.”

    courts.alaska.gov

  4. Possession hearing (judge decides if you must move)

    up to 15 days

    What the law says · Alaska R. Civ. P. 85(a)(2)
    “The date set for the eviction hearing shall be not more than 15 days from the date of filing of the complaint unless otherwise ordered by the court.”

    courts.alaska.gov

  5. Postponement of the hearing (if requested)

    up to 2 days

    What the law says · Alaska R. Civ. P. 85(a)(3)
    “No continuance shall be granted for a longer period than 2 days, unless the defendant applying therefor shall give an undertaking to the adverse party, with sureties approved by the court, conditioned to the payment of the rent that may accrue if judgment is rendered against defendant.”

    courts.alaska.gov

  6. Judgment for possession and move-out date

    What the law says
    “If the Court agrees with the landlord, then it will grant a Judgment for Possession and order the tenant to move out by a particular date.”

    courts.alaska.gov

  7. Writ of Assistance: law enforcement removes the tenant

    What the law says
    “If the judge ordered the Tenant to move out at the eviction hearing, but they didn’t, you can ask law enforcement to remove the Tenant with a Writ of Assistance.”

    courts.alaska.gov

Frequently asked questions

When must a deposit be returned in Alaska?

If you or the landlord gave the notice to end the tenancy that the law requires, the landlord must mail you the written list of deductions and your refund within 14 days after the tenancy ends and you return the unit. If money is deducted for damages, the landlord has 30 days. If you did not give that notice, the landlord also has 30 days. (Alaska Stat. §34.03.070(g))

What notice is required for late rent in Alaska?

If you don't pay rent on time, the landlord can give you a written notice. If you don't pay the full rent within 7 days after the notice, the tenancy ends unless the landlord agrees to let you stay. (Alaska Stat. §34.03.220(b))

How much notice ends a month-to-month rental in Alaska?

To end a month-to-month rental in Alaska, the landlord or the tenant must give written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date named in the notice. For a week-to-week rental with rent paid up, the notice is at least 14 days. (Alaska Stat. §34.03.290(a)-(b))

Are there limits on late fees in Alaska?

Alaska law sets no rules and no limit on late fees. The Department of Law's handbook explains that the Landlord and Tenant Act does not say whether landlords may charge a late fee, and that even where a fee is in the agreement, a tenant cannot be evicted for not paying it while current on rent. (Alaska Department of Law (handbook "The Alaska Landlord & Tenant Act"))

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

Pending

What is left to verify

We have not yet verified these Alaska rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.

  • How much can they charge for a deposit? Not verified yet
  • How much notice before a rent increase? Not verified yet
  • Protection from retaliation Not verified yet
  • Protection related to immigration status Not verified yet
  • Repair and deduct from the rent Not verified yet