Paragould renters are governed by Arkansas state landlord-tenant law, which is among the most landlord-friendly in the country. Understanding your lease and the state statutes is your best protection in Greene County.·Actualizado June 2026
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Puntos Clave
Control de renta: No rent control. Arkansas has no statewide rent control law and no city may enact one. Landlords in Paragould may raise rent by any amount with proper notice.
Depósito de garantía: Landlords must return your deposit within 60 days of move-out with an itemized statement. Wrongful withholding entitles you to double the amount withheld (Ark. Code § 18-16-305).
Aviso de desalojo: Month-to-month tenancies require at least one full rental period of written notice from either party to terminate (Ark. Code § 18-16-101).
Desalojo con causa justa: Arkansas does not require just cause for eviction at end of a lease term. For month-to-month tenants, 30 days written notice is required. Active tenancies may be terminated for non-payment (3-day notice) or lease violations (14-day notice).
Recursos locales: Center for Arkansas Legal Services, Legal Aid of Arkansas, Paragould Housing Authority
1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Paragould
Paragould is the county seat of Greene County in northeast Arkansas, with a population of roughly 29,000 residents. Like all Arkansas cities, Paragould has no local rent control ordinance and operates entirely under state landlord-tenant law. Tenants commonly search for information about deposit returns, eviction procedures, and repair rights — all of which are governed by Arkansas statutes rather than any city-specific rules.
Arkansas's landlord-tenant framework is one of the most landlord-favorable in the United States. There is no statutory implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals, meaning your rights depend heavily on your lease terms and whether Paragould's code enforcement office can substantiate a housing code violation. Filing a complaint with the city's Code Enforcement Division is often the most effective tool when a landlord refuses to make repairs.
This article provides a general overview of tenant rights in Paragould, Arkansas. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change — consult a licensed Arkansas attorney or a legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
2. Does Paragould Have Rent Control?
Paragould has no rent control. Arkansas has enacted no statewide rent control law and does not authorize municipalities to create their own. There is no cap on how much a landlord may charge or how much rent may increase.
In practice, a landlord in Paragould may raise the rent by any amount, but not during a fixed lease term unless the lease agreement explicitly allows it. For month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must provide at least one full rental period of written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). If you receive a rent increase notice, review your lease carefully to understand your options.
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).
3. Arkansas State Tenant Protections That Apply in Paragould
Arkansas provides a limited set of statutory tenant protections. Key rights include:
Security Deposit Return (Ark. Code § 18-16-305): Your landlord must return your deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 60 days after the tenancy ends and you vacate the unit. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion, you may recover double the withheld amount in court.
Notice to Terminate (Ark. Code § 18-16-101): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least one full rental period of written notice to end the tenancy. If you pay rent monthly, that means approximately 30 days' written notice.
Habitability: Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals. Your remedies for substandard conditions depend on your lease language and city housing code. File a complaint with Paragould's Code Enforcement Division (cityofparagould.com/162/Code-Enforcement) if conditions are dangerous or violate city codes.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibited: A landlord cannot remove you by changing the locks, removing your belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order. These actions are illegal; you may seek emergency relief in district court.
Retaliation: Arkansas offers limited statutory retaliation protections. Document all repair requests and communications with your landlord in writing, particularly if you have filed a code enforcement complaint.
4. Security Deposit Rules in Paragould
Arkansas law (Ark. Code §§ 18-16-301 through 18-16-306) governs security deposits for all rentals in Paragould. Key rules:
No statutory cap: Arkansas does not limit the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. The amount is negotiated in the lease.
Return deadline: The landlord must return the deposit — or deliver a written itemized statement of deductions with any remaining balance — within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates and surrenders possession.
Allowable deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear, as itemized in the written notice.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemization within 60 days, the tenant is entitled to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus any property owed (Ark. Code § 18-16-305).
Best practice: Document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out. Send your forwarding address to your landlord in writing to start the 60-day clock.
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.
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Paragould
In Paragould, landlords must follow the Arkansas unlawful detainer process to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts. The full eviction procedure includes:
Non-payment of rent: The landlord must serve a written notice giving the tenant at least 3 days to pay or vacate before filing an unlawful detainer action in Greene County District Court.
Lease violations: For other lease violations, the landlord must generally serve a 14-day written notice to cure or vacate.
Month-to-month termination: A landlord may terminate a month-to-month tenancy for any lawful reason by providing at least 30 days written notice (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). No cause is required.
End of fixed-term lease: Arkansas does not require just cause to decline renewing a fixed-term lease. The landlord may choose not to renew when the lease expires without additional notice beyond the lease end date.
Court process: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord files an unlawful detainer complaint in district court. The tenant has the right to appear and contest the eviction. A judge issues a writ of possession if the landlord prevails; a law enforcement officer carries out any physical removal.
Self-help eviction is illegal: Changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's belongings without a court order is prohibited. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may seek emergency injunctive relief and damages.
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.
6. Resources for Paragould Tenants
Center for Arkansas Legal Services — Free civil legal assistance for income-eligible Arkansans, including landlord-tenant disputes in northeast Arkansas.
Legal Aid of Arkansas — Free legal help for low-income residents statewide, including eviction defense, housing conditions, and security deposit claims.
Paragould Housing Authority — Administers public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income residents in Greene County. Located at 612 East Canal Street, Paragould, AR 72450; (870) 239-8084.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you have a legal dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed Arkansas attorney or contact a legal aid organization for advice tailored to your circumstances.
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No. Paragould has no rent control ordinance. Arkansas does not have a statewide rent control law and does not permit cities to enact one. Landlords in Paragould are free to set and raise rents as the market allows.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Paragould?
There is no limit on rent increases in Paragould or anywhere in Arkansas. However, a landlord cannot raise your rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease specifically allows it. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must provide at least one full rental period of written notice before an increase takes effect (Ark. Code § 18-16-101).
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Paragould?
Your landlord must return your security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 60 days after your tenancy ends and you vacate the unit (Ark. Code § 18-16-305). If the landlord fails to do so or wrongfully withholds any portion, you may be entitled to double the withheld amount.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Paragould?
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, your landlord must give at least 3 days' written notice to pay or vacate. For other lease violations, the notice is typically 14 days. For month-to-month tenancies terminated without cause, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). The landlord must then file an unlawful detainer action in Greene County District Court if you do not leave.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Paragould?
No. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors, or cutting off utilities — is illegal in Arkansas. Your landlord must go through the court unlawful detainer process to remove you. If you are locked out or your utilities are cut off without a court order, you may seek emergency relief from a district court judge.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Paragould?
Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability, so your options depend on your lease and local code. Your most effective tool is to file a complaint with Paragould's Code Enforcement Division (cityofparagould.com/162/Code-Enforcement), which can inspect the property and order the landlord to correct violations. Document all repair requests in writing and keep copies. If conditions are dangerous, contact Center for Arkansas Legal Services or Legal Aid of Arkansas for legal advice.
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