Laws by state / Arkansas

Arkansas landlord and tenant rules

The figures that decide most disputes between Arkansas landlords and tenants, each with a calculator and the statute behind it.

Verified against the statutes 2026-10-22By RentByState Research

Rule	Arkansas	Statute	Tool
Maximum security deposit	2 months' rent (Arkansas Residential Security Deposit Act applies only to landlords who own 6 or more dwelling units, or who use a third-party manager; smaller landlords have no statutory cap)	Ark. Code § 18-16-304; § 18-16-305; § 18-16-303	Deposit rules
Deposit return deadline	60 days after termination of the tenancy (itemized written notice plus any balance; may be sent first-class mail to last known address)	Ark. Code § 18-16-304; § 18-16-305; § 18-16-303	Deposit rules
Interest on the deposit	Not required	Ark. Code § 18-16-304; § 18-16-305; § 18-16-303
Maximum late fee	No statutory cap	No statute located (Ark. Code Title 18, Ch. 16 and 17 silent)	Late fee calculator
Landlord notice, month-to-month	30 days	Ark. Code § 18-17-704; § 18-60-304(3); § 18-17-701(b); § 18-16-101	Notice calculator
Tenant notice, month-to-month	30 days	Ark. Code § 18-17-704; § 18-60-304(3); § 18-17-701(b); § 18-16-101	Notice calculator
Rent increase notice	30 days	Ark. Code § 18-17-704; § 18-60-304(3); § 18-17-701(b); § 18-16-101	Notice calculator
Pay-or-quit notice	3 days	Ark. Code § 18-17-704; § 18-60-304(3); § 18-17-701(b); § 18-16-101	Notice calculator
Rent increase cap	None statewide

Security deposits in Arkansas

Arkansas limits security deposits to 2 months' rent (Arkansas Residential Security Deposit Act applies only to landlords who own 6 or more dwelling units, or who use a third-party manager; smaller landlords have no statutory cap). The deposit must be returned 60 days after termination of the tenancy (itemized written notice plus any balance; may be sent first-class mail to last known address). No interest is owed on the deposit under state law. Statute text read on FindLaw (Justia returned 403). The deposit act exempts owners of 5 or fewer units unless a third party manages or collects rent for a fee (§ 18-16-303). Undeliverable refunds become the landlord's property after 180 days. No interest requirement. Act 459 of 2025 bars cities/counties from regulating rental application fees or deposits (state law unchanged). Eviction note (no notes field in notice block): payOrQuit=3 reflects the 3-day written notice to quit required for a civil unlawful detainer (§ 18-60-304(3)); separately, § 18-17-701(b) terminates the tenancy automatically if rent is unpaid 5 days after the due date (no notice), and the criminal failure-to-vacate statute § 18-16-101 uses a 10-day notice. Full deposit rules and move-out checklist.

Late fees in Arkansas

Arkansas sets no statutory cap on late fees. The amount is whatever the lease says, subject to the general rule that it must not be an unconscionable penalty. There is no statutory grace period, so the lease controls when the fee starts. Calculate the maximum fee.

Notice periods in Arkansas

A Arkansas landlord must give 30 days’ written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and the tenant must give the same. A rent increase needs 30 days’ notice. For nonpayment, the landlord must serve a 3-day notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction. Calculate the effective date of a notice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arkansas?

2 months' rent (Arkansas Residential Security Deposit Act applies only to landlords who own 6 or more dwelling units, or who use a third-party manager; smaller landlords have no statutory cap). Statute text read on FindLaw (Justia returned 403). The deposit act exempts owners of 5 or fewer units unless a third party manages or collects rent for a fee (§ 18-16-303). Undeliverable refunds become the landlord's property after 180 days. No interest requirement. Act 459 of 2025 bars cities/counties from regulating rental application fees or deposits (state law unchanged). Eviction note (no notes field in notice block): payOrQuit=3 reflects the 3-day written notice to quit required for a civil unlawful detainer (§ 18-60-304(3)); separately, § 18-17-701(b) terminates the tenancy automatically if rent is unpaid 5 days after the due date (no notice), and the criminal failure-to-vacate statute § 18-16-101 uses a 10-day notice.

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Arkansas?

There is no statutory maximum in Arkansas. No statutory cap and no statutory grace period; no statute located. Arkansas landlord-tenant statutes are silent on late fees; the lease governs, subject to general reasonableness (confirmed via secondary sources only). The most common lease figure nationally is 5% of monthly rent, and courts in no-cap states generally accept fees in that range while rejecting ones that look like penalties.

How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Arkansas?

30 days’ written notice for a month-to-month tenancy. 30 days' written notice before the termination date, by either party; 7 days for week-to-week

How long is a pay-or-quit notice in Arkansas?

3 days. The tenant can stop the eviction by paying the full amount within that time.