Security deposit law in Arkansas

Two months' rent. The return rule is 60 days. The controlling text is Ark. Code § 18-16-303 to 306.

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Arkansas's deposit ceiling

Two months' rent.

The two-month cap and much of the deposit statute do not apply to a landlord who owns five or fewer units and does not use a management agent.

Arkansas's return deadline

60 days.

You have 60 days after the tenancy ends to return the deposit or deliver an itemized statement of deductions, the longest ordinary deadline in the country. A long clock is not a reason to wait; the sooner you close out the tenancy the fewer disputes survive.

The itemized statement rule

An itemized written statement of any deductions is required with whatever balance is owed. Send it to the tenant's last known address within the 60 days.

Account and interest rules

Arkansas sets no separate-account or interest requirement. A dedicated deposit account is still cheap insurance.

Exposure for wrongful withholding

Up to 2x for bad-faith retention.

A landlord who fails to comply is liable for the deposit plus damages, and a bad-faith retention can reach twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees. Note the small-landlord exemption before assuming the statute binds you at all.

Compare Arkansas with neighboring states

• Missouri: two months' rent; return rule: 30 days.
• Tennessee: no statutory limit; return rule: no fixed statutory deadline.
• Mississippi: no statutory limit; return rule: 45 days.
• Louisiana: no statutory limit; return rule: 30 days.
• Texas: no statutory limit; return rule: 30 days.
• Oklahoma: no statutory limit; return rule: 30 days after demand.