Last updated: April 2026
Conway renters operate under Arkansas state law — one of the most landlord-friendly frameworks in the country. Understanding your lease and local housing codes is essential to protecting your rights as a renter in Faulkner County.
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Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County and one of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas, home to three colleges — University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, and Central Baptist College — and a booming commercial corridor along Interstate 40. Its college-town character and rapid residential growth mean a large and varied renter population, all of whom rely on Arkansas state law for their basic tenant protections.
Arkansas operates under one of the most landlord-friendly legal frameworks in the United States. There is no statutory implied warranty of habitability, no rent control law, and no statewide just cause eviction requirement. Your rights as a Conway renter depend heavily on what your lease says and what Faulkner County's or Conway's local housing codes provide. The Arkansas Security Deposit Act (Ark. Code §§ 18-16-301 through 18-16-306) and the unlawful detainer statutes (Ark. Code §§ 18-60-301 through 18-60-308) are the primary statutory tools available to tenants.
This page is for general informational purposes only. If you face an eviction or other serious housing matter, contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services or the Arkansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service.
Conway has no rent control ordinance, and Arkansas state law does not establish any form of rent stabilization or rent increase limits. No Arkansas city has ever enacted rent control. Your landlord may raise your rent by any amount at the end of a fixed-term lease, or — for a month-to-month tenancy — with proper written notice of at least one full rental period under Ark. Code § 18-16-101. There is no cap on how much the rent can be increased, no requirement that the landlord justify the increase, and no city agency in Conway that reviews or limits rent hikes.
If you receive a rent increase you cannot afford, your option is to give proper written notice to vacate before the new rent period begins. Remaining in the unit after the new rate takes effect constitutes acceptance of the new amount under Arkansas common law.
Arkansas's landlord-tenant law is governed primarily by Ark. Code Title 18, Chapter 16. The following state-level protections apply to Conway renters:
Security Deposits (Ark. Code §§ 18-16-301 through 18-16-306): Landlords must return your security deposit within 30 days of move-out with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to comply entitles the tenant to double the amount wrongfully withheld. See the Security Deposit section for full details.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Arkansas does not recognize a statutory implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals. Your right to a habitable unit depends on your lease and Conway's local housing code. Tenants should file complaints with Conway's code enforcement division when conditions violate local housing standards.
Notice to Terminate (Ark. Code § 18-16-101): Either party to a month-to-month tenancy must give at least one full rental period of written notice before terminating. For monthly tenants, this means at least one full month of advance written notice.
Unlawful Detainer / Eviction Process (Ark. Code §§ 18-60-301 through 18-60-308): Landlords must use the court unlawful detainer process to remove a tenant. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is prohibited and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Anti-Retaliation: Arkansas has limited statutory retaliation protections compared to most states. Document all landlord communications in writing, especially repair requests and any contact with city code enforcement.
Security deposit rules in Conway are governed by the Arkansas Security Deposit Act, Ark. Code §§ 18-16-301 through 18-16-306.
Deposit Cap: Arkansas law does not impose a statutory cap on the security deposit amount. The amount is set by the lease agreement.
Return Deadline: Your landlord must return your security deposit — or the remaining balance after lawful deductions — within 30 days of the termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions (Ark. Code § 18-16-304).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord willfully fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant is entitled to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs (Ark. Code § 18-16-305).
Practical Steps: When you move out, give written notice, document the unit with dated photographs, return all keys, and provide a forwarding address in writing. Keep proof of your move-out date and forwarding address in case you need to pursue a double-damages claim in Faulkner County District Court.
Evictions in Conway are governed by Arkansas's Unlawful Detainer statutes, Ark. Code §§ 18-60-301 through 18-60-308. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order.
Step 1 — Notice to Vacate: For month-to-month tenancies terminated without cause, at least one full rental period of written notice is required (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). For nonpayment of rent, Arkansas law does not prescribe a specific cure period before filing, but landlords customarily issue a written demand. Review your lease for any specific notice requirements.
Step 2 — Court Filing: If you do not vacate, the landlord files an unlawful detainer complaint in Faulkner County District Court. You are served with a summons and have the opportunity to file a written response and appear at a hearing.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties may present evidence at a scheduled hearing. Appearing at every hearing is critical — failure to appear almost always results in a default judgment for the landlord.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules for the landlord and you do not vacate, a writ of possession authorizes the sheriff to remove you and your belongings.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities, or removing your belongings without a court order is unlawful under Ark. Code § 18-60-308 and related common law. Contact the Conway Police Department and a legal aid organization immediately if your landlord attempts self-help eviction.
No. Conway has no rent control ordinance, and Arkansas state law does not establish any form of rent stabilization. No Arkansas city has ever enacted rent control. Your landlord may raise your rent by any amount with proper written notice of at least one full rental period under Ark. Code § 18-16-101.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Conway or anywhere in Arkansas. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must give at least one full rental period of written notice before an increase takes effect under Ark. Code § 18-16-101. If you have a fixed-term lease, rent is locked in until the lease expires. Staying in the unit after the new rate takes effect constitutes acceptance of the new amount.
30 days after the termination of your tenancy, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions, under Ark. Code § 18-16-304. If the landlord willfully fails to comply, you may recover double the amount wrongfully withheld plus court costs under Ark. Code § 18-16-305. Always provide a written forwarding address when you move out.
For month-to-month tenancies terminated without cause, at least one full rental period of written notice is required under Ark. Code § 18-16-101. After proper notice, if you do not vacate, the landlord must file an unlawful detainer action in Faulkner County District Court — they cannot remove you without a court order. Review your lease for any additional notice requirements.
No. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities, or removing your belongings without a court order — is illegal under Ark. Code § 18-60-308 and related common law. If your landlord attempts this, contact the Conway Police Department and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services immediately.
Arkansas does not have a statutory implied warranty of habitability, so rent withholding and repair-and-deduct are generally not available under state law. Your most effective tool is filing a housing code complaint with the City of Conway's code enforcement division, which can require landlords to make court-ordered repairs. Review your lease — if it expressly requires the landlord to maintain the unit, you may have a contract claim. Contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services for guidance.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change; verify current rules with a licensed Arkansas attorney or one of the legal aid organizations listed above. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation or legal advice.
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