Arkansas Landlord Compliance
Everything you're responsible for as a landlord in Arkansas
Rent control, just-cause eviction, deposits, entry, repairs and recordkeeping, written for people who own or manage a few units, checked against the official sources, and kept current when the rules move.
Jurisdiction
key details
Rent cap · Detail
No statewide limit on rent amounts or increases for private residential tenancies; Ark. Code §14-16-601 (amended by Act 459 of 2025) also bars local governments from controlling rent, application fees or deposits.
Deposit cap · Detail
Max 2 months' periodic rent. Subchapter does not apply to individuals (with spouse/minor children/affiliated entities) owning 5 or fewer units, unless management incl. rent collection is done by a third party for a fee (§18-16-303).
Rent increase notice · Detail
No statute sets a rent-increase notice period; the only general rule is the 30-day (month-to-month) / 7-day (week-to-week) termination notice in §18-17-704. AG guidance says landlords should give at least one rental period's notice.
City rules · Detail
Local units may not enact or enforce ordinances controlling rent, rental application fees or rental deposits on private property (exception for property the local unit owns). Parallel city provision §14-54-1409. Amended by Act 459 of 2025.
Just cause · Detail
Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy on 30 days' written notice (7 days week-to-week) without stating a reason; AG guidance confirms landlords may decline to renew for any lawful reason.
Return deadline · Detail
Refund, or itemized written notice of deductions, within 60 days of termination of the tenancy; may be mailed to last known address, and unclaimed funds become landlord's after 180 days. Same small-landlord exemption as the cap.
Nonpayment notice · Detail
Landlord may terminate if rent unpaid 5 days after due (§18-17-701(b)); civil unlawful detainer requires 3 days' written notice to quit/demand for possession (§18-60-304(3)). Criminal failure-to-vacate (§18-16-101) uses a separate 10-day notice.
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Start from the task. Each route gathers the guides, checklists and forms that apply to it in Arkansas.
Essential local guides
If you're new to owning here, these five cover most of what will come up in your first year.
View All GuidesArkansas Unlawful Squatting Law 2025: New Criminal Offense for Entering and Residing Without Permission
Arkansas property owners can now involve law enforcement directly when someone occupies their property without any right to be there, instead of relying solely on the civil eviction process. HB 1049, enacted as Act 238 of 2025, creates a new criminal offense at Ark. Code 5-39-215 called unlawful squatting.
Guide
Arkansas Application Fee and Deposit Law: Local Governments Can't Limit What Landlords Charge
Arkansas cities and counties no longer have any authority to regulate what landlords charge for rental application fees or security deposits. SB 91, enacted as Act 459 of 2025, extends the state's existing rent-control preemption to cover both of these charges, and it applies statewide.
Guide
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| Resource | Type | Task | Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|
Arkansas Unlawful Squatting Law 2025: New Criminal Offense for Entering and Residing Without Permission Arkansas property owners can now involve law enforcement directly when someone occupies their property without any right to be there, instead of relying solely on the civil eviction process. HB 1049, enacted as Act 238 of 2025, creates a new criminal offense at Ark. Code 5-39-215 called unlawful squatting. | Guides | End a tenancy | Sep 29, 2026 |
Arkansas Application Fee and Deposit Law: Local Governments Can't Limit What Landlords Charge Arkansas cities and counties no longer have any authority to regulate what landlords charge for rental application fees or security deposits. SB 91, enacted as Act 459 of 2025, extends the state's existing rent-control preemption to cover both of these charges, and it applies statewide. | Guides | Keep the right records | Sep 29, 2026 |
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