Forrest City is the county seat of St. Francis County in eastern Arkansas, with a population of roughly 13,000 residents. Like all cities in Arkansas, Forrest City has no local rent control ordinance, and renters' rights are governed primarily by Arkansas state law — a framework that courts and commentators consistently rank among the most landlord-favorable in the United States.
Tenants in Forrest City most commonly ask about security deposit returns, what happens when a landlord refuses to make repairs, and how the eviction process works. Because Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability, your lease language and access to city code enforcement are your most important tools.
This article is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change; consult a licensed Arkansas attorney or a legal aid organization for advice specific to your situation.
Forrest City has no rent control ordinance, and Arkansas state law contains no rent stabilization statute. Landlords in Forrest City may raise rent by any amount, at any time, provided they give proper written notice before the next rental period begins. Arkansas has not preempted local rent control by explicit statute, but no Arkansas city has enacted rent control, and Forrest City is no exception. Tenants should review their lease carefully for any fixed-term rent provisions, as those terms are contractually binding for the duration of the lease.
In 2025, Arkansas enacted Act 459, which bars local governments from regulating the amount of any rental application fee or rental deposit on private residential or commercial property — reinforcing the state's existing preemption of local rent and rental-cost controls (Act 459 of 2025).
Security Deposits (Ark. Code §§ 18-16-301 to 18-16-306): Landlords may not collect more than two months' rent as a security deposit. They must return the deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant provides a forwarding address. If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant may recover up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld in a civil action.
Notice to Terminate (Ark. Code § 18-16-101): Either a landlord or a tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by giving written notice of at least one full rental period before the end of a rental period. A landlord cannot simply demand immediate departure without following this requirement.
Habitability: Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals. Landlords are not required by state law to maintain rental units in a habitable condition. However, if Forrest City's municipal code includes housing or building standards, tenants may file complaints with the city's code enforcement office to compel repairs. Review your lease — any repair obligations written into the agreement are enforceable as contract terms.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibited: Regardless of the absence of a habitability warranty, landlords in Arkansas cannot remove a tenant by changing locks, removing doors or windows, or cutting off utilities without a court order. Self-help eviction is illegal, and tenants subjected to it may seek emergency relief in court.
Retaliation: Arkansas provides limited statutory retaliation protections. Document all repair requests and complaints in writing and retain copies, especially if you contact city code enforcement, to protect yourself against retaliatory action.
Under Ark. Code §§ 18-16-301 through 18-16-306, landlords in Forrest City must follow these rules regarding security deposits:
To protect yourself, document the condition of your rental unit with dated photos at move-in and move-out, and always provide your new mailing address in writing when you vacate.
Who the cap and deadline cover: These statutory rules apply to landlords who rent six or more dwelling units. For those landlords, the security deposit may not exceed two months' rent (Ark. Code § 18-16-304). Landlords who own five or fewer dwelling units that they manage themselves are exempt from the statutory cap and the return-deadline requirement (Ark. Code § 18-16-303), so for those rentals the deposit amount and any refund timeline are governed by the lease.
In Forrest City, evictions are governed by Arkansas's unlawful detainer statutes (Ark. Code §§ 18-16-101, 18-60-304). A landlord must follow the court process to remove a tenant — there is no legal shortcut.
Notice Requirements: For a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give written notice of at least one full rental period. For nonpayment of rent or a lease violation, the landlord typically serves a written notice (often three days for nonpayment) demanding that the tenant cure or vacate. The specific notice period may depend on lease terms.
Court Process: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord must file an unlawful detainer complaint in the local district or circuit court. The tenant is entitled to be served with the lawsuit and has the right to appear and contest the eviction. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a writ of possession is issued, and only then may law enforcement remove the tenant.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibited: A landlord may not remove a tenant by changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities, or any other self-help method without a court order. Doing so exposes the landlord to civil liability.
Just Cause: Arkansas law and Forrest City have no just-cause eviction requirement. At the end of a lease term or after proper notice for month-to-month tenancies, a landlord may decline to renew for any lawful reason. Anti-discrimination laws under the federal Fair Housing Act still apply.
Nonpayment notice periods: Arkansas offers landlords three separate routes for nonpayment of rent, each with its own notice. A civil unlawful detainer action requires a 3-day written notice to quit (Ark. Code § 18-60-304(3)); a criminal failure-to-vacate charge requires a 10-day written notice (Ark. Code § 18-16-101); and, where the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act applies, a landlord may terminate the tenancy if rent remains unpaid 5 days after the due date (Ark. Code § 18-17-701). The 3-day notice to quit is a demand to vacate, not a cure period that lets you pay and stay.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant-landlord laws can change, and local ordinances may differ from state law. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in Arkansas or contact a legal aid organization. Verify all information with current statutes or a qualified professional before taking action.
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