Last updated: April 2026
Sherwood renters are covered by Arkansas landlord-tenant law, which requires security deposit returns within 30 days and bans self-help eviction — though there is no rent control or implied warranty of habitability in statute.
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Sherwood is a suburban city in Pulaski County, directly north of Little Rock and part of the greater Little Rock metropolitan area. Renters in Sherwood are governed by Arkansas's landlord-tenant statutes, principally Ark. Code §§ 18-16-101 through 18-16-310. Arkansas has not adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and has no statutory implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals — making it one of the less tenant-protective states in the country when it comes to repair obligations.
Arkansas has no statewide rent control law, and Sherwood has not enacted any local rent stabilization ordinance. Landlords may set rents at any level and raise them between lease terms. The most important tenant protection in Arkansas is the security deposit statute (Ark. Code § 18-16-305), which requires return of the deposit within 30 days and provides a double-damages remedy for wrongful withholding.
As a Pulaski County renter, your best resources for legal help are the Center for Arkansas Legal Services and Legal Aid of Arkansas. Contact one of these organizations early if you are facing eviction or a deposit dispute.
There is no rent control in Sherwood or anywhere in Arkansas. Arkansas has not enacted a statewide rent control statute, and Sherwood has no local ordinance limiting rent increases. Landlords may charge market rates and raise rents at the end of any lease term without restriction.
For month-to-month tenants, Arkansas law requires at least one full rental period of written notice before the landlord can change the lease terms or terminate the tenancy (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). For tenants who pay rent monthly, this means approximately 30 days' notice. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be raised during the lease period unless the lease explicitly permits it.
If you receive a rent increase that you believe is retaliatory — for example, after you filed a code enforcement complaint — Arkansas has limited statutory retaliation protections. Document all communications in writing and dates, and consult the Center for Arkansas Legal Services for guidance on whether a retaliation defense may apply in your situation.
Arkansas's landlord-tenant framework is less tenant-protective than most states. The state has no statutory implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals. Your rights regarding repairs depend heavily on what your lease says and whether your city has a housing code. Sherwood is within Pulaski County and has city-level code enforcement — filing a complaint with Sherwood's code enforcement division is often the most effective tool for compelling a landlord to make repairs.
The most significant statutory protection for Arkansas renters is the security deposit law (Ark. Code § 18-16-305), which sets a 30-day return deadline and provides a double-damages penalty for wrongful withholding. Arkansas also prohibits self-help eviction: landlords must go through the courts' unlawful detainer process to remove a tenant, and changing locks or removing a tenant's belongings without a court order is prohibited.
Arkansas has limited statutory retaliation protections for tenants. Unlike URLTA states, there is no provision creating a presumption of retaliation or reversing the burden of proof. Document all repair requests, code complaints, and landlord communications in writing with dates. If your landlord takes adverse action after you assert a housing right, consult an attorney about whether a common law retaliation defense applies.
Arkansas's security deposit statute (Ark. Code § 18-16-305) requires Sherwood landlords to return your deposit — with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after you vacate the unit. Provide your landlord with a written forwarding address before or at move-out to start the clock and ensure proper delivery.
Allowable deductions include unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Ordinary wear and tear — minor scuffs, small nail holes, routine carpet wear — cannot be charged to you. Protect yourself with dated photographs of every room at move-in and move-out, and request a written move-in condition checklist from your landlord at the start of your tenancy.
If your landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 days, you are entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld (Ark. Code § 18-16-305(b)). Send a written demand letter by certified mail before filing a claim in Pulaski County District Court's small claims division. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services can assist if your landlord does not respond.
Arkansas landlords must go through the court-based unlawful detainer process to evict any tenant. The notice requirements depend on the basis for eviction: for nonpayment of rent, the landlord must provide written notice and allow an opportunity to pay before filing in Pulaski County District Court. For termination of a month-to-month tenancy, one full rental period's written notice is required (Ark. Code § 18-16-101).
After filing, you will be served with a court summons and have the opportunity to appear at a hearing. Common defenses include proof of rent payment, improper notice, habitability failures, or landlord retaliation. Arkansas justice courts move quickly — seek legal assistance from the Center for Arkansas Legal Services or Legal Aid of Arkansas as soon as you receive an eviction notice or summons.
Arkansas prohibits self-help eviction. Your landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities to force you out without a court order. If a self-help eviction is attempted, call Sherwood police and contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services immediately. You may be entitled to damages for an unlawful lockout or utility shutoff.
Sherwood and Pulaski County renters can access the following organizations for legal help:
Contact Sherwood's code enforcement division for habitability complaints. The Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division (arkansasag.gov) also accepts complaints about landlord misconduct.
No. Sherwood has no local rent control ordinance, and Arkansas has no statewide rent control law. Landlords may raise rent at the end of any lease term or with one rental period's written notice for month-to-month tenants.
There is no cap on rent increases in Sherwood. For month-to-month tenants, Arkansas requires at least one full rental period of written notice (approximately 30 days for monthly tenants) before a rent increase takes effect (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). Fixed-term leases lock in the rent for the lease period.
Your landlord must return your deposit with a written itemized statement of deductions within 30 days after you vacate (Ark. Code § 18-16-305). If the deposit is wrongfully withheld, you may be entitled to double the withheld amount.
For nonpayment of rent, your landlord must give written notice before filing an eviction action. For terminating a month-to-month tenancy, one full rental period's written notice is required (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). The landlord must then file an unlawful detainer action in Pulaski County District Court — removal without a court order is illegal.
No. Self-help eviction is prohibited in Arkansas. Your landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities without a court order. If this happens, contact Sherwood police and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services immediately.
Submit a written repair request and keep a copy. Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability, so your primary tool is filing a complaint with Sherwood's code enforcement office — a housing code violation can compel repairs even without a state habitability statute. You may also have lease-based remedies; consult the Center for Arkansas Legal Services for guidance.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Arkansas landlord-tenant law does not include a statutory warranty of habitability, and rights vary based on lease terms. Always consult a licensed Arkansas attorney or the Center for Arkansas Legal Services for advice specific to your situation.
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