What You Should Know About Landlord and Tenant Rights
by: AR Attorney General

Arkansas law provides rights to both residential tenants and landlords. Arkansas laws on such issues apply only to private rental units and not government-subsidized housing.

Tenant Rights and Obligations

Landlords must provide notice of at least one rental period before raising the rent. This rule applies to both oral and written leases.
If you plan to sublease your apartment or house, you typically must obtain prior approval from the landlord, and obtain written direction from him or her stating the amount of rent that can be collected.
If you plan to move and have a written lease agreement, you must give notice according to the provisions of your lease.
If you plan to move out and have an oral lease agreement, you must give one rental period’s notice.

Landlord Rights

In Arkansas, a landlord may give notice of lease termination for any reason. Even model tenants may be subject to having a lease terminated. The landlord must give one rental period’s notice for an oral lease, or provide notice according to the terms of a written lease.
State law provides that upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of any lease agreement, all property left in the dwelling by the tenant will be considered abandoned and may be disposed of by the landlord as the landlord sees fit without recourse by the tenant. All property left on the premises by the tenant is subjected to a lien in favor of the landlord for the payment of all sums agreed to be paid by the tenant.

Repair and Maintenance of a Rental Dwelling

When you rent a house or apartment, you usually agree to take it “as is.” This means that the landlord is not required to provide additional maintenance to the dwelling. There are, however, city building codes to protect your health and safety. If you have health or safety problems with your dwelling, contact the city to find out if the residence fully complies with housing codes.
If your landlord promises to make repairs, make sure that promise is in the written lease.
Even if a landlord does not make a promised repair, the tenant should continue to pay the rent. Tenants have some recourse, such as going to small claims court, renegotiating lease agreement terms, moving, or seeking the advice of a private attorney.
Should you feel that your living conditions are an immediate health risk, you may contact the health inspector in your locality.

Security Deposits

Arkansas’ security-deposit law provides tenants with added protection. This law applies only to landlords who rent six or more dwellings. It contains the following provisions:

If you are required to pay a security deposit, you cannot be charged in excess of two months’ rent. For example, if your rent is $500 a month, a landlord cannot require a security deposit of more than $1,000.
When you move, the landlord must return your security deposit within 60 days. The landlord may, however, deduct from the security deposit the cost to repair any damages made to the dwelling or any past-due rent.
If the landlord deducts from your security deposit, the landlord must give you a written, itemized list of the charges withheld within 60 days of the time you vacate.
A landlord may withhold the entire amount of the security deposit if damages or unpaid rent exceed the amount of the security deposit.

Evictions

Failure to pay rent or to pay rent on time, for any reason, is grounds for eviction. There are two types of eviction procedures a landlord can use: “unlawful detainer” (a civil eviction) and “failure to vacate” (a criminal eviction).
Unlawful : If a landlord uses the “unlawful detainer” method of eviction, he must give you three days’ written notice to vacate. If you do not leave, the landlord can sue by filing a complaint against you in court. After you receive a summons to appear in court, you have five days to object in writing to the eviction. Any objection must be filed with the clerk of the court in which the eviction action was filed, and you should send a copy of your objection to the landlord’s lawyer. If you do not file an objection, you can be removed from the dwelling by the county sheriff. If you do object, a hearing will be scheduled to determine the outcome to your case.
Failure to Vacate: If a landlord wishes to use the “failure to vacate” method of eviction, he must give you 10days written notice. This method of eviction applies only to non-payment of rent. If you do not leave the premises within 10 days, the prosecuting attorney has the discretion to charge you with a misdemeanor. You would then be required to appear in court where you could be fined up to $25 for each day you remained in the dwelling after being given the 10-day notice to vacate.

Discrimination

A federal housing law protects tenants from unlawful discrimination in the sale or rental of residential property. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in most residential real estate-related transactions. The law includes the following provisions:

Bans residential discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Bars advertisements and publications that suggest any preference, limitation, or discrimination (e.g., adults only in a particular complex or section).
Prohibits discrimination in the terms or conditions of the sale or rent of a dwelling
Bans discriminating against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, familial status or national origin in the use of facilities associated with the dwelling.
Forbids discriminatory assignment of a person to a particular section of a complex or to a particular floor of a building.
For more information about Fair Housing, you may contact HUD at www.hud.gov or the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission at www.fairhousing.arkansas.gov.

Tips

Always read the lease agreement before signing and keep a copy for your files.
Both oral and written lease agreements are binding. However, it is better to have a written agreement so there are no misunderstandings about each party’s responsibilities.
Always pay your rent on time.