Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
When a tenancy ends, an Arkansas landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what Arkansas’s statute says.
Arkansas rules at a glance
| Return deadline | 60 days. The deposit balance and a written itemization of any deductions are due within 60 days of the end of the tenancy; first-class mail to the tenant’s last known address satisfies the rule.Ark. Code §18-16-305 |
|---|---|
| Penalty | A landlord who fails to comply can owe the money due plus twice the amount wrongfully withheld, costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.Ark. Code §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).
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 Security Deposit Return Letter 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).
More Arkansas landlord documents
- Arkansas Residential Lease Agreement
- Arkansas Eviction Notice
- 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
- Arkansas Lease Amendment
Security Deposit Return Letter in other states
- Alabama Security Deposit Return Letter
- Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arizona Security Deposit Return Letter
- California Security Deposit Return Letter
- Colorado Security Deposit Return Letter
- Connecticut Security Deposit Return Letter
- Delaware Security Deposit Return Letter
- District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Florida Security Deposit Return Letter
- Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Hawaii Security Deposit Return Letter
- Idaho Security Deposit Return Letter
- Illinois Security Deposit Return Letter
- Indiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter
- Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maine Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maryland Security Deposit Return Letter
- Massachusetts Security Deposit Return Letter
- Michigan Security Deposit Return Letter
- Minnesota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Mississippi Security Deposit Return Letter
- Missouri Security Deposit Return Letter
- Montana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nebraska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nevada Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Hampshire Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Jersey Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Mexico Security Deposit Return Letter
- New York Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Ohio Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oklahoma Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oregon Security Deposit Return Letter
- Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter
- Rhode Island Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter
- Texas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Utah Security Deposit Return Letter
- Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter
- Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Washington Security Deposit Return Letter
- West Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wisconsin Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wyoming Security Deposit Return Letter
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