Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Arkansas Room Rental Agreement
This Room Rental Agreement 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
| 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). |
| Landlord entry | No statutory notice period — the lease controlsArk. Code §18-17-602 |
| Late fees | No statutory cap or grace period; set by the lease |
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).
Landlord entry & access
Arkansas sets no statutory notice period for landlord entry. The statute simply says a tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to entry to inspect, make repairs or improvements, supply services, investigate possible lease violations or criminal activity, or show the unit to buyers, lenders, tenants or contractors — and that a tenant may not change the locks without the landlord’s permission (§18-17-602).
Because the law is silent on timing, the notice period written into the lease is what governs. Stating a reasonable advance-notice window (24 hours is common) avoids disputes and quiet-enjoyment claims.
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 Room Rental Agreement 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 Roommate Agreement
- Arkansas Spanish Lease Agreement
- Arkansas Sublease Agreement
- Arkansas Lease Amendment
Room Rental Agreement in other states
- Alabama Room Rental Agreement
- Alaska Room Rental Agreement
- Arizona Room Rental Agreement
- California Room Rental Agreement
- Colorado Room Rental Agreement
- Connecticut Room Rental Agreement
- Delaware Room Rental Agreement
- Florida Room Rental Agreement
- Georgia Room Rental Agreement
- Hawaii Room Rental Agreement
- Idaho Room Rental Agreement
- Illinois Room Rental Agreement
- Indiana Room Rental Agreement
- Iowa Room Rental Agreement
- Kansas Room Rental Agreement
- Kentucky Room Rental Agreement
- Louisiana Room Rental Agreement
- Maine Room Rental Agreement
- Maryland Room Rental Agreement
- Massachusetts Room Rental Agreement
- Michigan Room Rental Agreement
- Minnesota Room Rental Agreement
- Mississippi Room Rental Agreement
- Missouri Room Rental Agreement
- Montana Room Rental Agreement
- Nebraska Room Rental Agreement
- Nevada Room Rental Agreement
- New Hampshire Room Rental Agreement
- New Jersey Room Rental Agreement
- New Mexico Room Rental Agreement
- New York Room Rental Agreement
- North Carolina Room Rental Agreement
- North Dakota Room Rental Agreement
- Ohio Room Rental Agreement
- Oklahoma Room Rental Agreement
- Oregon Room Rental Agreement
- Pennsylvania Room Rental Agreement
- Rhode Island Room Rental Agreement
- South Carolina Room Rental Agreement
- South Dakota Room Rental Agreement
- Tennessee Room Rental Agreement
- Texas Room Rental Agreement
- Utah Room Rental Agreement
- Vermont Room Rental Agreement
- Virginia Room Rental Agreement
- Washington Room Rental Agreement
- West Virginia Room Rental Agreement
- Wisconsin Room Rental Agreement
- Wyoming Room Rental Agreement
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