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Arkansas security deposit law

Source: Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-16-301 to 18-16-306 · Checked against the statute

Maximum deposit
A deposit may not exceed two months' rent. The deposit law applies only to landlords who rent six or more dwellings (small landlords are covered if a paid third party manages the units).
Return deadline
60 days after the tenancy terminates
If the landlord keeps it wrongly
If the landlord fails to comply with the deposit law, the tenant may recover the property and money due, damages equal to two times the amount wrongfully withheld, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. The landlord owes only costs and the sum erroneously withheld if it shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the noncompliance resulted from an error despite procedures reasonably designed to avoid such errors, or was based on a good faith dispute as to the amount due (§ 18-16-306).

Calculate your Arkansas deadline

Choose your state and move-out date to see when your landlord must return the deposit.

When the deposit must be returned

  • Return the deposit, or a written itemized list of charges withheld, within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant gives back possession.

The official sources reviewed don't set a forwarding-address requirement.

Itemized list of deductions

Required: Yes. A written, itemized list of charges withheld, within 60 days of move-out.

What can and can't be deducted

The landlord may keep money only for repairing damage to the dwelling or for past-due rent. Official sources don't define normal wear and tear.

Nonrefundable fees

The official sources reviewed don't address nonrefundable fees.

Interest, bank account and move-in inspection

  • Interest required: No. No statewide interest requirement.
  • Separate account required: No. No separate-account requirement in the official sources reviewed.
  • Move-in inspection required: No. No move-in inspection requirement in the official sources reviewed.

Penalties and bad faith

If the landlord fails to comply with the deposit law, the tenant may recover the property and money due, damages equal to two times the amount wrongfully withheld, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. The landlord owes only costs and the sum erroneously withheld if it shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the noncompliance resulted from an error despite procedures reasonably designed to avoid such errors, or was based on a good faith dispute as to the amount due (§ 18-16-306).

The double damages and attorney's fees don't apply if the landlord shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the noncompliance resulted from an error despite procedures reasonably designed to avoid such errors, or was based on a good faith dispute as to the amount due; the landlord then owes only costs and the sum erroneously withheld (§ 18-16-306(a)(2)).

Getting your deposit back in court

District court small claims division up to $5,000. Court information

Before filing, many tenants send a written demand first. Write a Arkansas demand letter →

Also good to know

  • Act 459 of 2025 (approved Apr. 3, 2025) bars cities and counties from controlling the amount of rent, rental application fees, or rental deposits (Ark. Code §§ 14-16-601 and 14-54-1409).
  • The landlord may keep the whole deposit if damages or unpaid rent exceed it.

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 11, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; see our methodology.