State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
Arkansas Security Deposit Laws
Under Arkansas Code § 18-16-305, Arkansas landlords must return security deposits within 60 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to Actual damages; tenant may recover deposit plus costs.
Quick Answer
In Arkansas, landlords have 60 days to return your security deposit after you move out and provide a forwarding address. The maximum deposit is 2 months' rent. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $5,000) and may recover Actual damages; tenant may recover deposit plus costs under Arkansas Code § 18-16-305. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
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What Arkansas Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 60 days to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face Actual damages; tenant may recover deposit plus costs. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $5,000without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A formal letter citing the applicable rule and documenting the amount is harder to ignore than a phone call. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $400-1,2005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Interior Paint
Typical: $150-6003-year useful life per HUD Handbook 4350.1. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
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Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against Arkansas Code § 18-16-305 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
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A document-specific answer, not a generic promise:
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- The rules or contract terms that appear applicable
- What looks strong, weak, or needs more evidence
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Check each deduction against Arkansas law, including Arkansas Code § 18-16-305, and see what may be disputable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Arkansas landlord have to return my deposit?
Arkansas landlords have 60 days to return your security deposit after lease termination. They must provide an itemized statement of any deductions.
What is the security deposit limit in Arkansas?
Arkansas caps security deposits at 2 months' rent. This includes any pet deposits. Landlords cannot circumvent this with additional fees.
Can I sue my Arkansas landlord for keeping my deposit?
Yes. Arkansas Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $5,000. You can recover your wrongfully withheld deposit plus court costs.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
How much can I recover in Arkansas for a wrongful deposit withholding?
Arkansas tenants can recover the full wrongfully withheld deposit plus court costs under Code § 18-16-305. Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $5,000. Arkansas penalties are weaker than many states', but the burden shifts to landlords to prove damages with documentation.
Official Resources
- Arkansas Attorney General Consumer Protection(Government)
- Arkansas Legal Services(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how Arkansas's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
Find the Improper Charges in Your Arkansas Deductions
Your Arkansas landlord had 60 days to return your deposit — see whether they met every requirement.
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Average Arkansas deposit: $900 · Arkansas Code § 18-16-305 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527