Arkansas Eviction Laws and Eviction Process

A reference of Arkansas eviction laws, and steps of the Arkansas eviction process for landlords and renters, updated 2021.

  • What are the reasons that landlords can evict tenants under Arkansas eviction laws?
  • What notice do Arkansas eviction laws require that landlords provide tenants before starting the eviction process?
    • For evictions based on non-payment of rent, the landlord must give a 3-day notice to pay before starting the eviction process. (A.C.A § 18-17-901).
    • For evictions based on non-compliance of the lease terms, the landlord must give a 14-day notice before beginning the eviction process. (A.C.A § 18-17-901).
    • For evictions based on a holdover tenancy, the landlord must provide a 30-day notice to month-to-month tenants or a 7-day notice to week-to-week tenants. (A.C.A § 18-17-704).
  • Do Arkansas eviction laws allow landlords to use “self-help eviction” methods, such as locking a tenant out of the rental unit or shutting off the utilities? 
    • No. Arkansas law forbids landlords from using self-help eviction methods. 

Arkansas Eviction Process

Landlords must follow these steps to carry out a lawful eviction:

  1. Deliver the eviction notice. The landlord must deliver the proper eviction notice to the tenant. The tenant will have the amount of time indicated in the notice to “cure” the issue. 
  2. File the necessary court documents. If the tenant does not fix the problem, the landlord can take the next step toward the eviction process by filing the necessary court documents, which include:

The landlord must pay the filing fee and have the tenant legally served with the court documents. The landlord is responsible for having the process server complete the affidavit of service and filing it with the court. 

  1. Wait for the tenant’s answer. The tenant will have an opportunity to answer the complaint.
  2. Attend the court hearing. After the landlord files the complaint and summons, the court will set a date for the court hearing. At the hearing, the judge will listen to testimony from the parties and review evidence. If the court rules in the landlord’s favor, it will determine damages and may sign a Writ of Possession for the landlord. The Writ of Possession returns legal possession of the property back to the landlord and states that the tenant must vacate the premises within 24 hours or face forcible removal from the property by the sheriff’s department.
  3. Pursue additional damages. The landlord can pursue further legal action against the tenant even if the tenant has already been evicted for compensation for unpaid rent, court costs, cleaning costs, and property damage.

SIGN-UP FOR PAYRENT

Start collecting rent online in less than 5 minutes.
  • Control when and how renters pay you
  • Automatically remind tenants when rent is due
  • Accept bank transfers and credit cards
GET STARTED FOR FREE

**Blog Article Disclaimer*

This blog article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The content is intended to offer general information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

While we strive to keep the information accurate and up-to-date, laws and regulations are subject to change, and the legal landscape may vary based on jurisdiction. Therefore, we make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information contained in this article.

Reading, accessing, or using the information provided in this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the author, and any reliance on the information is at your own risk. If you require legal advice or assistance, it is crucial to consult with a qualified attorney who can consider the specifics of your situation and provide advice accordingly.

The author and the platform disclaim any liability for any loss or damage incurred by individuals or entities as a result of the information presented in this blog. We recommend consulting a legal professional before making decisions or taking action based on the information provided in this article.

This disclaimer is subject to change without notice, and it is the responsibility of the reader to review and understand the disclaimer before relying on the information contained in the blog article.

PayRent is on a mission to build a rent collection app that fosters a positive and productive relationship between renters and landlords. We focus less on transactions and more on the people behind them.

pay

Subscribe to Our
Email Newsletter

Receive timely and relevant articles directly to your email inbox.
SUBSCRIBE
You can unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy
close-link

SIGN-UP FOR PAYRENT

Start collecting rent online in less than 5 minutes.
  • Control when and how renters pay you
  • Automatically remind tenants when rent is due
  • Accept bank transfers and credit cards
GET STARTED FOR FREE
close-link

Discover the Truth About UFOs

Top secret documents reveal ET encounters the government has been hiding
freshmarketer CTA
SUBMIT
close-link

Donate Today

To the Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good
LEARN MORE
close-link

Protect Yourself From Robots

Smart seniors get their robot insurance from Old Glory Insurance
freshsales CTA
SUBMIT
close-link

Interested in PayRent?

Get a custom price quote when you schedule a demo.
*We won't share your information outside of our company
REQUEST A DEMO
close-link

Protect Your Evictions

PayRent gives landlords the control to block
all or partial payments from their renters.
LEARN MORE
close-link

Protect Your Privacy

PayRent allows landlords to accept payments without
ever sharing their personal information with tenants.
LEARN MORE
close-link

Automatic Rent Reporting

PayRent reports rent payments to
all 3 credit bureaus at no extra cost.
SIGN-UP FOR FREE
close-link

Track Renter’s Insurance

Require Insurance and Track Documents with PayRent
LEARN MORE
close-link

Accept Credit Cards

PayRent makes it easy for Landlords to accept
Bank Transfers and Credit Cards.
SIGN-UP FOR FREE
close-link

Save Time With PayRent

Automate invoices, payments, receipts, late charges
and credit reporting with PayRent
LEARN MORE
close-link

Find This Useful?
Share it!

Like and Follow Us on Your Favorite Social Platforms
close-link
0 Shares
Share
Share
Tweet