# Arkansas deposit law, in plain English. 60 days. Your landlord has 60 days after your tenancy ends to return your deposit. Here's the rest, each rule linked to the official text. - ## 60 days. Your landlord has 60 days after your tenancy ends to return your deposit. [Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-305(a)(1)](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4WVF-V6X0-R03K-B00P-00008-00) - ## Itemized, in writing. They can use it for unpaid rent and for damages from you not following the lease. Each one has to be itemized in a written notice, sent with the rest of your deposit 60 days after your tenancy ends and you hand back the place. [§ 18-16-305(a)(2)](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4WVF-V6X0-R03K-B00P-00008-00) - ## Your address. Mailing it first-class to your last known address counts. So make sure they have your new one. [§ 18-16-305(b)(1)](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4WVF-V6X0-R03K-B00P-00008-00) - ## Twice the amount. Break these rules and you can recover what's owed, plus twice the amount wrongfully withheld, costs and lawyer's fees. Honest errors and good-faith disputes over the amount are the exception. [§ 18-16-306(a)](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4WVF-V6X0-R03K-B00R-00008-00) - ## Two months, max. A deposit can't be more than two months' rent. [§ 18-16-304](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4WVF-V6X0-R03K-B00N-00008-00) - ## Small landlords. This law doesn't cover a person who, counting their spouse, minor kids and rental companies, owns 5 or fewer rentals, unless a paid manager runs them. [§ 18-16-303](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4WVF-V6X0-R03K-B00M-00008-00) **Not covered here yet:** Landlords with 5 or fewer rentals and no paid manager Checked against the official text on October 20, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Cities can add their own rules. [Check my case](https://nicetrylandlord.com/check?state=AR) [Landlord Didn't Return Your Deposit in 30 Days?](https://nicetrylandlord.com/landlord-didnt-return-deposit-within-30-days) · [Landlord Never Sent an Itemized List of Deductions?](https://nicetrylandlord.com/landlord-never-sent-itemized-list) ## More guides - [Can a Landlord Charge You for Painting? Usually Not](https://nicetrylandlord.com/can-landlord-charge-for-painting) - [Can a Landlord Charge for Carpet Cleaning or New Carpet?](https://nicetrylandlord.com/can-landlord-charge-for-carpet-cleaning)