Arkansas has historically been one of the most landlord-favorable states for renters, but a 2021 law finally set minimum habitability standards. Arkansas is also the only state with a criminal “failure to vacate” statute, alongside the ordinary civil eviction process — so it is especially important to know your options and get help fast. There is no rent control and no statewide source-of-income protection. This page explains the statewide framework, both eviction tracks, and where to get help.
- 211 Arkansas — free, 24/7 — dial 2-1-1 for rental help, shelters, and utilities
- Legal Aid of Arkansas (north & east): 1-800-952-9243
- Center for Arkansas Legal Services (central & south): 1-800-950-5817
- Arkansas Fair Housing Commission: (501) 682-3247
- HUD fair housing: 1-800-669-9777
Public Housing & Vouchers in Arkansas
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing in Arkansas are run by local housing authorities (in cities like Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville), and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) supports affordable-housing development statewide. To find the authority that serves you, use HUD’s PHA directory or read how to find your PHA. Each authority keeps its own waitlist, so apply to several. For income-restricted apartments, search HUD’s LIHTC database or read how to find LIHTC housing.
Source of Income & Rent Control in Arkansas
Arkansas has no statewide source-of-income protection, which means that outside of a local ordinance a landlord may legally decline to accept a Housing Choice Voucher. Federal fair-housing law still bars discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status — the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission enforces these alongside HUD. See our source-of-income protections guide. Arkansas also has no rent control, and state law blocks local rent control, so there is no legal cap on how much rent can rise. For a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord generally must give at least 30 days’ written notice before raising the rent or ending the tenancy.
The 2021 Minimum Habitability Law
For decades Arkansas had no implied warranty of habitability — landlords were not required to keep rentals fit to live in. A 2021 law (Act 1052) changed that, setting minimum standards a rental must meet (such as working water, electrical, heating, and a sound roof and structure). If your unit fails to meet them, the remedy is narrow: you give the landlord written notice, and if the problem isn’t fixed within 30 days, you can end the lease without penalty and get your deposit back. Arkansas does not allow rent withholding or repair-and-deduct, so document everything and get legal advice before acting.
Two Eviction Tracks: Civil and Criminal
Arkansas is unusual: a landlord can evict through the ordinary civil court (unlawful detainer) or use a criminal statute.
- Civil unlawful detainer — the landlord gives a 3-day notice to vacate for nonpayment, then files in circuit court; you are served and have a short window (about 5 days) to respond, and you can post a bond to keep contesting
- Criminal “failure to vacate” (Ark. Code § 18-16-101) — Arkansas is the only state where staying after a 10-day notice for nonpayment can be charged as a misdemeanor, with a daily fine. This track is heavily criticized and has faced constitutional challenges, but it is still used in some counties
Because the criminal track exists, do not ignore any notice — talk to Legal Aid of Arkansas or the Center for Arkansas Legal Services right away, and read how to avoid eviction.
Emergency Rental Assistance in Arkansas
- Dial 211 for the current list of rental, deposit, and eviction-prevention funds near you
- Community Action agencies across the state administer rental and utility assistance — 211 can connect you
- LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills — see utility assistance programs
- Local nonprofits and churches often run emergency funds; 211 keeps the current list
See our emergency rental assistance guide for how these programs work.
Arkansas Tenant Law: Key Protections at a Glance
Quick Reference: Arkansas
- Source-of-income protection: none statewide — a landlord may decline a voucher unless a local ordinance says otherwise
- Rent control: none — and local rent control is blocked by state law
- Habitability: minimum standards since the 2021 law; remedy is written notice, 30 days to fix, then end the lease
- Eviction: civil unlawful detainer (3-day notice) or criminal failure to vacate (10-day notice) — Arkansas is the only state with the criminal option
- Security deposit: capped at 2 months’ rent; returned within 60 days with an itemized statement (landlords with 5 or fewer units who don’t use an agent are exempt)
- Self-help eviction: illegal — the landlord must use the courts to remove a tenant
Security deposits
Arkansas caps the security deposit at two months’ rent, and the landlord must return it within 60 days after you move out, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. One important exception: a landlord who owns five or fewer rental units and does not use a management agent is exempt from the deposit statute. Document the unit’s condition at move-in and move-out, and read how to recover your security deposit.
How long eviction takes
Self-help eviction is illegal — a landlord cannot change the locks or shut off utilities. A civil unlawful detainer commonly takes about one to two months from the 3-day notice to a writ of possession, while the criminal track can move on its own timeline. Either way, respond quickly: appear, raise defenses, and get representation. Start with Legal Aid of Arkansas (1-800-952-9243) or the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (1-800-950-5817).
Other Housing Programs in Arkansas
- HUD-VASH (veterans) — a voucher paired with VA case management; see how to apply for HUD-VASH
- Permanent Supportive Housing & rapid re-housing — access through Coordinated Entry by calling 211
- Eviction prevention — our eviction prevention hub explains what to do before your court date
Where to Get Help in Arkansas
Tenant help & legal aid: Legal Aid of Arkansas (1-800-952-9243) covers north and east Arkansas; the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (1-800-950-5817) covers central and south.
Discrimination complaints: the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission ((501) 682-3247) and HUD enforce fair-housing law.
Find your local PHA: HUD’s PHA directory or our how to find your PHA guide.
211 helpline: dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org for rental help, shelters, and utility assistance.
HUD fair housing: file at hud.gov/reporthousingdiscrimination or call 1-800-669-9777.
Next Steps
Not sure where to start? Our Where to Start tool routes you to the right mix of programs in about two minutes.
If you’ve received any eviction notice in Arkansas — civil or criminal — do not ignore it. Contact Legal Aid of Arkansas or the Center for Arkansas Legal Services right away, and read eviction prevention.