Texarkana, Arkansas is the Arkansas-side portion of the Texarkana metropolitan area, spanning the Arkansas-Texas state line in Miller County. The city has a population of roughly 29,000 on the Arkansas side and a substantial renter population in its residential neighborhoods. Tenant rights in Texarkana, AR are governed entirely by Arkansas state law — primarily Ark. Code §§ 18-16-101 through 18-16-306. The city has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances.
Arkansas provides fewer statutory tenant protections than most states. Notably, Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals — your rights regarding repair and habitability depend largely on what your lease says and whether your city has an enforceable housing code. Renters in Texarkana most commonly seek information on security deposit recovery, required notice periods, and the eviction process.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters facing urgent housing issues should contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services or a licensed Arkansas attorney.
Texarkana, AR has no rent control, and Arkansas state law does not limit rent increases. Arkansas has never enacted a statewide rent control or stabilization law, and no Arkansas municipality has done so. There is no cap on rent increases, no required justification, and no mandatory advance notice period for increases beyond what your lease provides.
For month-to-month tenants, Arkansas law requires at least one full rental period of written notice (typically 30 days) before the tenancy can be terminated (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). This same notice standard applies to rent increases that would effectively terminate your month-to-month arrangement if refused. Review your lease for any additional notice requirements your landlord must follow.
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 landlord-tenant law is governed primarily by Ark. Code §§ 18-16-101 through 18-16-306. Arkansas provides fewer statutory protections than most states — most notably, there is no implied warranty of habitability in Arkansas statute for residential rentals. Your rights depend heavily on your lease and local housing codes. Key rules include:
Security Deposit Return (Ark. Code § 18-16-305): Landlords must return your deposit — with an itemized statement of deductions — within 60 days of move-out. Failure to comply entitles you to double the amount wrongfully withheld.
Notice to Terminate (Ark. Code § 18-16-101): Either party must give at least one full rental period of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy — typically 30 days if you pay monthly.
No Implied Warranty of Habitability: Arkansas statute does not create an implied habitability warranty. If your city has a housing code, filing a code enforcement complaint is often the most effective tool for substandard conditions.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibited: Landlords must use the court unlawful detainer process to remove a tenant. Changing locks or removing belongings without a court order is prohibited.
Limited Retaliation Protections: Arkansas has limited statutory retaliation protections. Document all landlord communications in writing.
Security deposit rules in Texarkana, AR are governed by Ark. Code § 18-16-305:
No Statutory Cap: Arkansas does not limit the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. Negotiate the amount before signing.
60-Day Return Deadline: Your landlord has 60 days after you vacate to return your deposit with an itemized written statement of deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Double Damages: If the landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may be entitled to twice the amount improperly held.
Best Practices: Provide your forwarding address in writing, photograph the unit's condition at move-out, and retain your move-in checklist.
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.
Evictions in Texarkana, AR must follow Arkansas's formal unlawful detainer process. Self-help eviction — lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings without a court order — is prohibited.
Nonpayment of Rent: The landlord must give written notice and file an unlawful detainer action in Miller County Circuit or District Court if you do not pay or vacate.
Other Violations: For lease violations, the landlord must provide written notice before filing for eviction.
Month-to-Month Termination: At least one full rental period's written notice (typically 30 days) is required to end a month-to-month tenancy without cause (Ark. Code § 18-16-101).
Court Process: You have the right to appear in court and present a defense. Only a court judgment and writ of possession enforced by the sheriff can result in your physical removal.
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 page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information reflects Arkansas law as of April 2026. Arkansas landlord-tenant law is less tenant-protective than most states — notably, Arkansas has no statutory implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals. If you are facing eviction, a deposit dispute, or a habitability issue, contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (arlegalservices.org) or a licensed Arkansas attorney before taking action.
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