Renting in Arkansas
Your rights as a tenant in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the security deposit can be up to 2 months of rent. 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.
Key numbers in Arkansas
- Maximum deposit
- Up to 2 months of rent
- Ark. Code §18-16-304
- To return your deposit
- 60 days
- Ark. Code §18-16-305
- Notice for late rent
- 3 days
- Ark. Code §18-60-304
What the law says
The rules, one by one
The basic rules for renting in Arkansas, answered with state law and its citation.
Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.
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How much can they charge for a deposit?
Up to 2 months of rent
In Arkansas, a landlord cannot charge you a security deposit of more than two months' rent. According to the Attorney General, this law applies only to landlords who rent six or more homes.
What the law says · Ark. Code §18-16-304
“This law applies only to landlords who rent six or more dwellings. It contains the following provisions: If you are required to pay a security deposit, you cannot be charged in excess of two months’ rent.”
Source: Arkansas Attorney General – Landlord and Tenant Rights · Verified on October 24, 2026
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When must they return my deposit?
60 days
When you move out, the landlord has 60 days to return your deposit. The landlord may deduct the cost to repair damage to the home or any past-due rent. If anything is deducted, the landlord must give you a written, itemized list of the charges within those 60 days.
What the law says · Ark. Code §18-16-305
“When you move, the landlord must return your security deposit within 60 days. The landlord may, however, deduct from the security deposit the cost to repair any damages made to the dwelling or any past-due rent. If the landlord deducts from your security deposit, the landlord must give you a written, itemized list of the charges withheld within 60 days of the time you vacate.”
Source: Arkansas Attorney General – Landlord and Tenant Rights · Verified on October 24, 2026
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If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
3 days
In Arkansas, in a civil eviction case called 'unlawful detainer', the landlord must give you a 3-day written notice to move out. If you do not leave, the landlord can sue you in court.
What the law says · Ark. Code §18-60-304
“Unlawful detainer actions require a landlord to provide you with a three days’ written notice to vacate. If you do not leave, the landlord can sue by filing a complaint against you in court.”
Source: Arkansas Attorney General – Landlord and Tenant Rights · Verified on October 24, 2026
Eviction
How an eviction works in Arkansas
Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.
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3-day written notice to vacate
at least 3 days
What the law says · Ark. Code §18-60-304
“Unlawful detainer actions require a landlord to provide you with a three days’ written notice to vacate.”
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Landlord files the complaint in court
What the law says · Ark. Code §18-60-307(a)
“If you do not leave, the landlord can sue by filing a complaint against you in court.”
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Service of the summons and the Notice of Intention to Issue Writ of Possession
What the law says · Ark. Code §18-60-307(a)
“the clerk of the court shall thereupon issue a summons upon the complaint. The summons shall be in customary form directed to the sheriff of the county, or process server, in which the cause of action is filed, with direction for service thereof on the named defendants.”
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Deadline to file a written objection
up to 5 days
What the law says · Ark. Code §18-60-307(b)
“If, within five (5) days, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, following service of this summons, complaint, and notice seeking a writ of possession against the defendants named therein, the defendant or defendants have not filed a written objection to the claim for possession made by the plaintiff in his or her complaint, the clerk of the court, upon order of the court, shall immediately issue a writ of possession directed to the sheriff commanding him or her to cause the possession of the property described in the complaint to be delivered to the plaintiff without delay, which the sheriff shall thereupon execute in the manner described in § 18-60-310.”
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Court orders the writ of possession
What the law says · Ark. Code §18-60-307(d)(1)(B)(i)
“then the court shall order the clerk forthwith to issue a writ of possession to the sheriff to place the plaintiff in possession of the property described in the complaint, subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section.”
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The sheriff removes the tenant
What the law says · Ark. Code §§18-60-307(b), 18-60-310
“If you do not file an objection, you can be removed from the dwelling by the county sheriff.”
Free or low-cost legal help
If you get a notice or a court case, look for help early: the deadlines are short. These are official pages or pages the state courts link to.
Where to file a housing discrimination complaint
The Arkansas Fair Housing Commission enforces state and federal fair housing and fair lending laws and educates the public about them. It receives, investigates, conciliates and/or resolves complaints of violations of the Arkansas Fair Housing Act. That law bans discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18) and disability.
Arkansas Fair Housing Commission (Arkansas Department of Inspector General)Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a deposit in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, a landlord cannot charge you a security deposit of more than two months' rent. According to the Attorney General, this law applies only to landlords who rent six or more homes. (Ark. Code §18-16-304)
When must a deposit be returned in Arkansas?
When you move out, the landlord has 60 days to return your deposit. The landlord may deduct the cost to repair damage to the home or any past-due rent. If anything is deducted, the landlord must give you a written, itemized list of the charges within those 60 days. (Ark. Code §18-16-305)
What notice is required for late rent in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, in a civil eviction case called 'unlawful detainer', the landlord must give you a 3-day written notice to move out. If you do not leave, the landlord can sue you in court. (Ark. Code §18-60-304)
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 Arkansas 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 notice ends a month-to-month rental? Not verified yet
- Are there limits on late fees? Not verified yet
- How much notice before a rent increase? Not verified yet
- Only a court order can remove you 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