Arkansas Rental Lease Agreement Templates
The Arkansas Rental Lease Agreements are property management documents that establish a legally-binding relationship between a landlord and tenant regarding the leasing of residential or commercial space. The agreement specifies the legal obligations each party must uphold, including, but not limited to the rent amount ($), the maximum number of guests, rent due date, and lease term (excluding month-to-month). It is highly recommended that both parties keep a copy of the completed and signed lease so that it may be easily referred to in the case of a dispute or to clarify the terms of the lease.
Types (6)
Commercial Lease Agreement – Used for business lease purposes only; the agreement includes a number of conditions not commonly found in residential lease agreements (signs, customers, utilities, etc.).
Download – Adobe PDF, Word (.docx), Rich Text (.rtf)
Lease to Own Agreement – A specific type of lease agreement that combines elements of a residential lease and a purchase agreement; is used for purchasing a rental property after initially leasing it.
Download – Adobe PDF, Word (.docx), Rich Text (.rtf)
Month-to-Month Rental Agreement – This lease-type allows either party to terminate the agreement with just thirty (30) days forewarning.
Download – Adobe PDF, Word (.docx), Rich Text (.rtf)
Roommate Agreement – A simple agreement that allows roommates who are sharing the same apartment or home to establish rules and preferences regarding general living areas, guests, cleaning, more.
Download – Adobe PDF, Word (.docx)
Standard Residential Lease Agreement – The most commonly used leasing form. Provides legal protections and responsibilities to both a landlord and tenants of a given property.
Download – Adobe PDF, Word (.docx), Rich Text (.rtf)
Sublease Agreement – Used by current tenants for leasing their rental to another tenant. Requesting permission from the landlord is highly recommended (and may be required per the lease).
Download – Adobe PDF, Word (.docx)
What is an Arkansas Lease Agreement?
An Arkansas Lease Agreement is a legal contract that sets out conditions for one (1) or more tenants to rent out a dwelling for a set amount of money that is paid each month to the landlord. It is in the best interests of the landlord to ask tenants to fill out a rental application prior to the signing of a lease agreement, so that they may verify their reliability.
State Laws
- Laws: Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act
- Law Overview: Arkansas Landlord and Tenant Law.pdf
When is Rent Due?
Rent is due on the date specified in the lease agreement (§ 18-17-401(a)). There is a grace period of five (5) days (§ 18-17-701(b)). Late fee stipulations are not covered by Arkansas state law, meaning that landlords are not allowed to issue them to a tenant unless late fee conditions are stated in the contract.
Landlord’s Access
Emergency: Although there is no specific state statute regarding landlord’s access during emergency situations, landlords have the right under federal law to enter a residence in the case of an emergency.
Non-Emergency (§ 18-17-602(a)): A tenant should not “unreasonably withhold consent” to allow the landlord to enter for a range of circumstances including inspecting the premises, making necessary or agreed repairs, and investigating possible rule or lease violations.
Tenant’s Duties
According to Subchapter 6 – “Tenant Obligations”, tenant’s are required to comply with the following obligations:
- Follow all requirements set by building and housing codes that affect both health and safety,
- Keep the rental both safe and clean,
- Dispose all types of trash / waste in a manner that is both clean and safe,
- Keep all plumbing fixtures included in the lease reasonably clean;
- Use all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities in a clean manner,
- Do not destroy, damage, or remove any part of the rental (or allow any guest of the tenant to do so),
- Do not disturb nearby tenants (or allow guests to disturb other tenants),
- Comply with the lease and all rules enforceable by AK law.
Required Disclosures
Lead Disclosure: Landlords are required to disclose known lead paint hazards to tenants, in addition to providing an information pamphlet issued by the Government on lead-based paint hazards as an attachment to their written lease.
Security Deposits
Maximum Amount (Section 18-16-304): Landlord cannot charge more than two (2) months’ rent to the tenant.
Returning to Tenant (Section 18-16-305): Property or money must be returned to the tenant within sixty (60) days of termination of the tenancy. The money will become the landlord’s property in the case that they cannot find or get in contact with the tenant for up to one-hundred and eighty (180) days after the termination date.
Deposit Interest: No relevant statute.
