United States · AR

Arkansas landlord-tenant laws.

The key statutes you need to know as a Arkansas landlord — deposit caps, late fees, entry notice, and required disclosures at a glance.

Security deposit

2 months' rent

Return: 60 days · Ark. Code §§ 18-16-303 to 18-16-305 (2-month cap & 60-day return apply only to landlords with 6+ rental units)

Late fees

No statutory cap or standard — the lease controls

Grace period: None statutory — rent is payable without demand at the agreed time (§ 18-17-401(b)); 5 days after the due date the landlord may terminate and start eviction (§§ 18-17-701(b), 18-17-901(b)) · None — no cap; late charges collect as rent under the lease (§§ 18-17-301(10), 18-17-401)

Entry notice

None statutorily required

None — § 18-17-602 bars the tenant from unreasonably withholding consent to entry, but sets no notice period

Termination notice

30 days (month-to-month)

Rent control

Prohibited

Small claims limit

$5,000 (small claims division of district court, §§ 16-17-602, 16-17-704)

Required disclosures

Every Arkansas residential lease must include these disclosures where applicable. Missing required disclosures can void clauses or trigger statutory penalties.

Lead-based paint (pre-1978)

Notable Arkansas quirk

The most landlord-friendly state: the deposit cap and 60-day return rules bind only landlords with six or more rental units (§ 18-16-303), and there is no entry-notice statute and no late-fee cap. Arkansas is also the only state with a criminal eviction statute — a nonpaying tenant who stays 10 days past written notice to vacate commits a misdemeanor fined up to $25 a day (§ 18-16-101), a law a 2015 circuit ruling struck down and Act 159 of 2017 revived in the pre-2001 form courts had upheld.

Arkansas landlord law FAQ

What is the maximum security deposit in Arkansas?

Two months' rent (§ 18-16-304) — but the cap only binds landlords with six or more rental units. The subchapter exempts owners of five or fewer dwelling units unless the units are managed by a third party for a fee (§ 18-16-303), so exempt small landlords face no cap at all.

How long does a landlord have to return a deposit in Arkansas?

60 days after the tenancy ends, with an itemized written notice of any deductions for unpaid rent or damage (§ 18-16-305, as amended by Act 559 of 2009). Wrongful withholding risks double damages plus costs and attorney's fees (§ 18-16-306); a refund mailed first-class that comes back undeliverable becomes the landlord's property after 180 days. Like the cap, these rules apply only to landlords covered by § 18-16-303.

Is there a cap on late fees or a grace period in Arkansas?

No cap and no statutory grace period. Rent is payable without demand or notice at the time the lease sets (§ 18-17-401(b)), late charges are collectible as rent if the lease provides for them (§ 18-17-301(10)), and once rent is 5 days late the tenant is on automatic legal notice that eviction can begin (§ 18-17-901(b)).

How much notice before entering a rental in Arkansas?

None is required by statute. Arkansas law approaches entry from the other direction: the tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit (§ 18-17-602(a)). Put your entry protocol in the lease.

What condition standards must an Arkansas rental meet?

For leases signed or renewed after November 1, 2021, Act 1052 of 2021 implies six minimum standards — hot and cold running water, electricity, potable water, a code-compliant sewer and plumbing system, a functioning roof and building envelope, and HVAC to the extent it served the unit at signing (§ 18-17-502(a)). If a covered defect goes unfixed 30 days after written notice, the tenant's sole remedy is to terminate and recover the deposit — rent withholding is expressly barred (§ 18-17-502(d)). A move-in defect checklist the tenant signs clean or fails to return within 2 business days is a compliance safe harbor (§ 18-17-502(c)).

How much can a landlord charge for late rent in Arkansas?

No statutory cap or standard — the lease controls. Grace period: None statutory — rent is payable without demand at the agreed time (§ 18-17-401(b)); 5 days after the due date the landlord may terminate and start eviction (§§ 18-17-701(b), 18-17-901(b)). Late fee terms should always be written into the lease.

What is the security deposit limit in Arkansas?

2 months' rent. The deposit must be returned within 60 days after move-out.

How much notice does a landlord need to enter a rental in Arkansas?

None statutorily required.

Is there rent control in Arkansas?

Prohibited.

Sources

Summarized from public statutes, state bar guides, and provincial residential tenancy acts. Last reviewed 2026-07-17. Deposit statute: Ark. Code §§ 18-16-303 to 18-16-305 (2-month cap & 60-day return apply only to landlords with 6+ rental units). Late fee statute: None — no cap; late charges collect as rent under the lease (§§ 18-17-301(10), 18-17-401).

This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.

Eviction timelines in Arkansas

See filing fees, timelines, and estimated total costs for Arkansas.

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Baked in

Arkansas-compliant leases, automatically.

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Other states

California

1 month's rent (as of July 2024)

Colorado

2 months' rent (since Aug. 7, 2023)

Connecticut

2 months' rent (1 month if tenant ≥ 62)

Delaware

1 month's rent (12-month+ leases)

District of Columbia

1 month's rent

Florida

No statutory cap

Georgia

2 months' rent (leases entered/renewed on or after July 1, 2024); no cap on older leases

Hawaii

1 month's rent