Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Arkansas Lease Amendment
This Lease Amendment is built with Arkansas as the governing state. These are the Arkansas landlord-tenant rules that most often bear on it, with the statute for each.
Arkansas rules at a glance
| Rent-increase notice | No specific statute; month-to-month uses the 30-day periodic noticeArk. Code §18-17-704 |
|---|---|
| Rent control | Prohibited statewideArk. Code §§14-54-1409, 14-16-601 |
| Rent increases | There’s no rent-increase notice statute. Rent can’t change during a fixed term unless the lease allows it; for month-to-month, give at least the 30 days needed to end the tenancy (§18-17-704). |
| Security deposit limit | 2 months’ rent (landlords with ≤5 self-managed units are exempt)Ark. Code §§18-16-303, -304 |
| Deposit return | 60 days, with a written itemization of any deductionsArk. Code §18-16-305 |
| Deposit double damages | Wrongfully withholding a deposit exposes a covered landlord to twice the amount withheld plus attorney’s fees (§18-16-306). |
Security deposits in Arkansas
Arkansas caps the security deposit at two months’ periodic rent (§18-16-304) and gives landlords 60 days to return it (§18-16-305). But those rules come with an exemption found nowhere else: the entire deposit statute doesn’t apply to a landlord who — together with a spouse and minor children, and entities they control — owns five or fewer dwelling units, unless a third party is paid to manage them, including collecting rent (§18-16-303).
- Who’s covered — Landlords with six or more units, and any landlord (even with one unit) who uses a paid property manager. Exempt landlords are still bound by whatever deposit terms the lease itself states.
- What can be deducted — Accrued unpaid rent and damages the landlord suffered because of the tenant’s noncompliance with the lease, itemized in a written notice (§18-16-305).
- 60-day return — The deposit balance and itemized notice are due within 60 days of the end of the tenancy. Mailing both by first-class mail to the tenant’s last known address satisfies the requirement (§18-16-305(b)).
- Double damages — A landlord who fails to comply can owe the money due plus twice the amount wrongfully withheld, costs and reasonable attorney’s fees — reduced to costs and the sum withheld if the landlord proves a good-faith dispute over the amount or an error despite reasonable procedures (§18-16-306).
Rent, late fees & rent increases
Arkansas has no statute capping residential late fees or requiring a grace period. A late fee should be written into the lease and kept to a reasonable estimate of the landlord’s loss.
- Rent increases — There’s no rent-increase notice statute. Rent can’t change during a fixed term unless the lease allows it; for month-to-month, give at least the 30 days needed to end the tenancy (§18-17-704).
- Rent control — Cities and counties can’t enact or enforce any ordinance controlling the amount of rent on private residential property (§§14-54-1409, 14-16-601).
- No rent withholding — Even where the 2021 habitability standards are breached, a tenant may not offset or withhold rent (§18-17-502).
Tenant protections that apply
Arkansas has no general statute barring retaliatory eviction or rent increases, which sets it apart from nearly every other state.
- Court process required — Possession is recovered through an unlawful-detainer action in court after the required notice (§18-60-304) — landlords should not use lockouts or utility shut-offs to force a tenant out.
- Deposit double damages — Wrongfully withholding a deposit exposes a covered landlord to twice the amount withheld plus attorney’s fees (§18-16-306).
- Habitability exit — The 2021 minimum standards are implied by law into every lease entered into or renewed after November 1, 2021 (other than lease-to-purchase agreements), along with the tenant’s right to terminate if a failure isn’t fixed within 30 days after written notice sent by certified mail (§18-17-502).
Arkansas Lease Amendment FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arkansas?
Up to two months’ rent (Ark. Code §18-16-304) — but only if the deposit statute applies to you. A landlord who, with family and controlled entities, owns five or fewer units and manages them without a paid third party is exempt from the deposit rules entirely (§18-16-303).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Arkansas?
Sixty days after the tenancy ends, with a written itemization of any deductions for unpaid rent or damage (§18-16-305). A wrongful withholding can cost the landlord twice the amount withheld plus attorney’s fees (§18-16-306).
Is there a cap on late fees in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas has no statutory cap or grace period for residential late fees; the amount is set by the lease and should be reasonable.
More Arkansas landlord documents
- Arkansas Residential Lease Agreement
- Arkansas Eviction Notice
- Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arkansas Rent Increase Notice
- Arkansas Notice to Vacate
- Arkansas Application Approval Letter
- Arkansas Application Denial Letter
- Arkansas Background & Credit Check Authorization
- Arkansas Rental Application
- Arkansas Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Arkansas Bed Bug Addendum
- Arkansas Mold & Mildew Addendum
- Arkansas No-Smoking Addendum
- Arkansas Parking & Storage Addendum
- Arkansas HOA & Community Rules Addendum
- Arkansas Crime-Free Housing Addendum
- Arkansas Utilities & Services Addendum
- Arkansas Early Termination Addendum
- Arkansas Lease Extension Addendum
- Arkansas Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
- Arkansas Military Clause (SCRA)
- Arkansas Pet Addendum
- Arkansas Cash for Keys Agreement
- Arkansas Mutual Lease Termination Agreement
- Arkansas Lease Renewal Agreement
- Arkansas Notice of Non-Renewal
- Arkansas Late Rent Notice
- Arkansas Lease Violation Notice
- Arkansas Notice of Entry
- Arkansas Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Arkansas Rent Receipt
- Arkansas Rent Verification Letter
- Arkansas Tenant Welcome Letter
- Arkansas Property Management Agreement
- Arkansas Commercial Lease
- Arkansas Rent-to-Own Agreement
- Arkansas Short-Term Rental Agreement
- Arkansas Room Rental Agreement
- Arkansas Roommate Agreement
- Arkansas Spanish Lease Agreement
- Arkansas Sublease Agreement
Lease Amendment in other states
- Alabama Lease Amendment
- Alaska Lease Amendment
- Arizona Lease Amendment
- California Lease Amendment
- Colorado Lease Amendment
- Connecticut Lease Amendment
- Delaware Lease Amendment
- Florida Lease Amendment
- Georgia Lease Amendment
- Hawaii Lease Amendment
- Idaho Lease Amendment
- Illinois Lease Amendment
- Indiana Lease Amendment
- Iowa Lease Amendment
- Kansas Lease Amendment
- Kentucky Lease Amendment
- Louisiana Lease Amendment
- Maine Lease Amendment
- Maryland Lease Amendment
- Massachusetts Lease Amendment
- Michigan Lease Amendment
- Minnesota Lease Amendment
- Mississippi Lease Amendment
- Missouri Lease Amendment
- Montana Lease Amendment
- Nebraska Lease Amendment
- Nevada Lease Amendment
- New Hampshire Lease Amendment
- New Jersey Lease Amendment
- New Mexico Lease Amendment
- New York Lease Amendment
- North Carolina Lease Amendment
- North Dakota Lease Amendment
- Ohio Lease Amendment
- Oklahoma Lease Amendment
- Oregon Lease Amendment
- Pennsylvania Lease Amendment
- Rhode Island Lease Amendment
- South Carolina Lease Amendment
- South Dakota Lease Amendment
- Tennessee Lease Amendment
- Texas Lease Amendment
- Utah Lease Amendment
- Vermont Lease Amendment
- Virginia Lease Amendment
- Washington Lease Amendment
- West Virginia Lease Amendment
- Wisconsin Lease Amendment
- Wyoming Lease Amendment
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