Landlord-tenant law

Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Arkansas.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
2 months' rent
Ark. Code § 18-16-305
Deposit Return Deadline
60 days
Ark. Code § 18-16-305(c)
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
3-day notice (civil unlawful detainer) OR 10-day notice (criminal eviction)
Ark. Code § 18-60-304(3); Ark. Code § 18-16-101
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
Ark. Code § 18-17-704
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease)
Grace Period
No statutory grace period
Arkansas specific notes

Arkansas landlords may pursue either a civil unlawful detainer (3-day notice) or a criminal eviction (10-day notice) for nonpayment. Criminal route: tenant cannot cure by paying; civil route allows cure. The 2-month deposit cap applies to landlords with 6+ units. Smaller landlords still typically follow this standard.

FAQ

Common Arkansas landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Arkansas?+
2 months' rent. Governed by Ark. Code § 18-16-305. Deposit must be returned within 60 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Arkansas for non-payment of rent?+
3-day notice (civil unlawful detainer) OR 10-day notice (criminal eviction). Per Ark. Code § 18-60-304(3); Ark. Code § 18-16-101. This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Arkansas?+
30 days. Per Ark. Code § 18-17-704. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Arkansas?+
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease). Grace period: No statutory grace period. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Arkansas

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