Jonesboro is the largest city in northeastern Arkansas and home to Arkansas State University, creating a substantial rental market. Tenant protections here are governed by Arkansas state law — one of the most landlord-friendly frameworks in the United States. Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability, no specific anti-retaliation statute, and few statutory remedies for habitability violations. Your lease terms and Jonesboro's local housing code are your most important tools as a renter.
Arkansas has no rent control, and Jonesboro has enacted no local rent regulation. Landlords may raise rent by any amount at any time, as long as they provide proper notice. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least one full rental period of written notice (typically 30 days) before the increase takes effect (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). Fixed-term lease rents are locked in until the lease expires, unless the lease explicitly allows for increases. Because there is no cap on increases, rent negotiations at lease renewal are especially important in this market.
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).
Arkansas requires landlords to return security deposits within 60 days of move-out with an itemized written statement of deductions (Ark. Code § 18-16-305). Failure to comply entitles tenants to double the amount wrongfully withheld. Month-to-month tenants are entitled to at least one full rental period of written notice before a landlord terminates the tenancy (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). Critically, Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability — your right to livable conditions depends on what your lease says and whether Jonesboro's housing code applies. Self-help eviction — changing locks or removing belongings without a court order — is prohibited, and landlords must go through the unlawful detainer process to remove a tenant. Anti-retaliation protections are limited; document all communications with your landlord in writing.
Arkansas places no statutory cap on security deposit amounts, so your lease determines how much your landlord may collect. Under Ark. Code § 18-16-305, your landlord must return the deposit within 60 days after you vacate, along with a written itemized statement of deductions. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. If your landlord fails to comply or improperly withholds funds, you may be entitled to double the wrongfully withheld amount. Because Arkansas law offers limited remedies beyond the deposit statute, thorough move-in and move-out documentation — dated photos, written checklists — is especially important.
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.
Arkansas landlords must go through the court's unlawful detainer process to remove a tenant. The landlord must serve written notice — typically 3 days for nonpayment of rent — and then file for eviction if the tenant does not comply. No tenant may be removed without a court order. Self-help eviction, including changing locks, removing property, or cutting off utilities without a court order, is prohibited. Because Arkansas provides fewer statutory protections than most states, if you receive an eviction notice, contact Legal Aid of Arkansas immediately to understand your rights and options.
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.
If you need help with a landlord-tenant issue in Jonesboro, these resources can assist:
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change; verify current statutes and consult a licensed attorney or legal aid organization for advice specific to your situation.
Averigua si tu vivienda está cubierta por el control de renta o las protecciones para inquilinos.
Usa el verificador de direcciones →Te enviaremos un correo si cambian el tope de renta, las reglas de cobertura o las protecciones para inquilinos: sin spam, cancela cuando quieras.