Tenant Rights in Centerton, Arkansas

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Centerton

Centerton, Arkansas is a rapidly growing city in Benton County, located in the Northwest Arkansas metro area near Bentonville. As of 2024, Centerton has grown to become one of the fastest-expanding cities in the state, attracting new residents and renters. Tenants commonly ask about rent increases, security deposit returns, and their rights if a landlord fails to make repairs.

Centerton has not enacted any local landlord-tenant ordinances beyond what Arkansas state law requires. This means your rights as a tenant depend almost entirely on the terms of your lease and the protections available under Arkansas statutes — which are among the most landlord-friendly in the country. Knowing state law and your lease is critical here.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization for advice specific to your situation.

2. Does Centerton Have Rent Control?

Centerton has no rent control, and under Arkansas state law, no city in the state may enact one. Arkansas has no statewide statute authorizing or imposing rent stabilization. Landlords in Centerton are free to set rent at any amount when entering into a new lease and may increase rent to any amount upon proper notice at lease renewal.

For month-to-month tenancies, a landlord must give at least one full rental period of written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). There is no cap on the amount of any increase. Tenants who cannot accept an increase may terminate the tenancy by giving the same notice.

3. Arkansas State Tenant Protections That Apply in Centerton

Arkansas tenant protections under state law include the following key rights:

• Security Deposits (Ark. Code § 18-16-305): Landlords who own six or more rental units must return your security deposit within 30 days of move-out, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, you are entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld.
• Notice to Terminate (Ark. Code § 18-16-101): Month-to-month tenancies require at least one full rental period of written notice from either party. Fixed-term leases end automatically at their expiration date unless renewed.
• Habitability: Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability. Your repair rights depend heavily on your lease terms and whether Centerton's municipal code enforcement applies to your unit. If your rental has health or safety code violations, contacting city code enforcement (planning@centertonar.gov or 479-795-2750) is often the most effective remedy.
• Self-Help Eviction Prohibition: A landlord may not remove you by changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities without a court order. Any such action is unlawful and you should contact legal aid immediately.
• Retaliation: Arkansas provides limited statutory retaliation protections. Document all communications with your landlord in writing, especially repair requests and complaints to code enforcement.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Centerton

Under Ark. Code § 18-16-305, landlords in Arkansas who rent six or more dwelling units are subject to the state's security deposit law. Key rules include:

• Cap: Security deposits may not exceed two months' rent.
• Return deadline: The deposit must be returned within 30 days after the tenant vacates, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions.
• Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within 30 days without a valid reason, the tenant is entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld.
• Smaller landlords: If your landlord rents fewer than six units, the statutory security deposit law may not apply. In that case, your lease terms and general contract law govern the deposit.

Always document the condition of your unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and written notes, and send your forwarding address in writing so your landlord can return the deposit.

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Centerton

In Centerton, landlords must follow Arkansas's unlawful detainer process to legally remove a tenant. Self-help eviction — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is prohibited.

Notice Requirements

• Nonpayment of rent: Landlord must give at least 3 days' written notice to pay or vacate (Ark. Code § 18-60-304).
• Lease violation: Landlord must give written notice specifying the violation. The notice period may depend on the lease terms.
• Month-to-month termination: Either party must give at least one full rental period of written notice (Ark. Code § 18-16-101).
• Fixed-term lease: No notice required to end the tenancy at lease expiration; landlord may file for eviction if tenant holds over after the lease ends.

Court Process

After the notice period expires, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer complaint in district court. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within a few days to a couple of weeks. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a writ of possession is issued. Only a law enforcement officer may physically remove the tenant — a landlord may not do so without the writ.

Just Cause

Arkansas does not require just cause for eviction at the end of a lease term. A landlord may decline to renew a fixed-term lease for any reason, or terminate a month-to-month tenancy with proper notice, without stating a reason. There is no local just-cause ordinance in Centerton.

6. Resources for Centerton Tenants

• Center for Arkansas Legal Services — Free civil legal help for qualifying low-income Arkansans, including landlord-tenant disputes and eviction defense.
• Legal Aid of Arkansas — Free legal assistance for tenants facing eviction and other housing issues; serves Northwest Arkansas including Benton County.
• Arkansas Attorney General – Consumer Protection — File complaints about landlord practices and get information about tenant rights under Arkansas law.
• Hark NWA — Northwest Arkansas service-navigation organization connecting residents in Benton County to rent assistance, legal aid, housing support, and other essential resources.
• Arkansas Law Help – Landlord/Tenant — Plain-language guides on Arkansas landlord-tenant law, evictions, security deposits, and lock-outs, provided by Legal Aid of Arkansas.

Frequently Asked Questions