Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Arkansas

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Arkansas, mainly from the Arkansas Code Title 18, Chapters 16 and 17, as summarized by the Arkansas Attorney General. Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

2 months' rent (owners of more than 5 units or paid managers)1,2,3Ark. Code 18-16-303, 18-16-304

A landlord may not charge a deposit of more than two months' rent. Owners of five or fewer units are exempt unless a paid third party manages them.

Deposit return deadline

60 days1,2,4Ark. Code 18-16-305

The landlord must return the deposit within 60 days after the tenancy ends. The same exemption for owners of five or fewer self-managed units applies.

Interest on deposits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Late fees

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

1 rental period (oral leases)1

The Attorney General says a tenant with an oral lease must give one rental period's notice to move out. Under a written lease, the lease terms control.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

1 rental period (oral leases)1

The Attorney General says a landlord must give one rental period's notice to end an oral lease. Under a written lease, the lease terms control.

Notice of a rent increase

1 rental period1

The Attorney General says landlords must give notice at least one rental period before raising the rent.

Statewide rent limits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Landlord entry

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice for unpaid rent

3 days1

The Attorney General says an unlawful detainer case for unpaid rent requires a three days' written notice to vacate first.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. Landlord and Tenant Rights, Arkansas Attorney General, 2024-11-16official
  2. Ark. Code 18-16-303 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  3. Ark. Code 18-16-304 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  4. Ark. Code 18-16-305 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.