Arkansas Tenant Rights Laws

Signing a residential lease is a huge decision, and before doing so it's a good idea to understand your legal rights and obligations as a tenant. If you are considering becoming a tenant in Arkansas, or if you are experiencing conflict with your landlord, read on to learn more about your legal rights.

Arkansas Tenants Rights Overview

Like all other states, Arkansas has laws governing the relationship between landlords and tenants. This includes provisions limiting how much a landlord can require you to pay as a security deposit and how long your landlord has to return your security deposit after you move out. Arkansas law also requires your landlord to provide a certain amount of notice before increasing your rent.

There are also some areas that Arkansas chooses not to regulate. For example, in Arkansas landlords have the right to end your tenancy at any time, even if you are a model tenant. Also, Arkansas law follows the axiom of "caveat lessee" - renter beware. This means that a tenant accepts the rental property "as is" and the law places no explicit obligation on a landlord to maintain the unit. Arkansas also doesn't recognize a tenant's right to "repair and deduct;" and if a landlord fails to make agreed-upon repairs, a tenant's only remedy is small claims court.

Note: State regulations are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Related Arkansas Tenant's Rights Resources

• Arkansas Leases and Rental Agreements Laws
• Arkansas Landlord and Tenant Rights
• Tenants' Rights Basics
• Tips for Protecting Your Tenant Rights
• Landlord Tenant Disputes FAQs

Get a Free Evaluation of Your Landlord/Tenant Case

If you are a tenant in Arkansas and you believe that your landlord has acted illegally, you may want to speak with a lawyer to make sure you understand your legal rights. FindLaw can help match you with an experienced landlord/tenant lawyer for your free case evaluation.