Arkansas Rent Increase Laws: Rules and Notice Requirements

Arkansas is one of the most landlord-friendly states in the country when it comes to rent increases. There is no cap, no restriction on frequency, and relatively minimal notice requirements. However, landlords must still follow certain legal procedures to ensure increases are enforceable.

No Statewide Rent Control

Official Law Citation: The rules and regulations outlined on this page are strictly configured under the official Arkansas Code § 18-17-901 - Termination of TenancyAnteprima non disponibile. Landlords must always ensure their lease agreements directly adhere to this state code.

Arkansas has no statewide rent control or rent stabilization laws. Additionally, no local jurisdictions in Arkansas are currently known to have enacted their own rent control ordinances.

This means landlords have complete discretion over:

• How much rent to charge initially.
• How much to increase rent by.
• How often to increase rent (subject to notice requirements).

When Rent Can Be Raised

Fixed-Term Leases

A landlord cannot raise the rent during the active term of a fixed-term lease unless the lease agreement itself contains a specific clause permitting mid-term increases. Once the lease expires, the landlord can propose a new lease at any rental rate.

Month-to-Month Tenancies

For month-to-month tenancies, landlords can raise the rent at any time, as long as they provide adequate written notice.

Week-to-Week Tenancies

For week-to-week tenancies, landlords must provide at least one week's notice before the rent increase takes effect at the start of the next rental period.

Notice Requirements

Arkansas law requires landlords to provide at least one full rental period's written notice before a rent increase takes effect.

The notice must be delivered in writing and ideally via a method that confirms receipt - such as hand delivery with a signed acknowledgment or certified mail.

Retaliatory Rent Increases

While Arkansas provides fewer tenant protections than many states, landlords should still avoid raising rent as retaliation against a tenant who has:

• Complained about habitability issues (especially under Act 1052 standards).
• Reported code violations to a government agency.
• Exercised any legal right provided by statute.

While Arkansas does not have a specific anti-retaliation statute as strong as some other states, courts may still consider the timing and circumstances of a rent increase when evaluating a tenant's claim of retaliation.

Back to Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Laws OverviewAnteprima non disponibile.