Arkansas Residential Lease Agreement

Property Address: [[Property Full Address]], [[City]], AR [[ZIP Code]]
Monthly Rent: [[Monthly Rent]]
Lease Term: [[Lease Term Length, e.g., 12 months]]
Start Date: [[Lease Start Date]]
End Date: [[Lease End Date]]
Security Deposit: [[Security Deposit Amount]] (subject to Arkansas limits)

Landlord: [[Landlord Full Legal Name(s)]]
Landlord Address for Notices: [[Landlord Notice Address]]
Tenant(s): [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]

This Residential Lease Agreement (this "Agreement") is made on [[Agreement Date]] by and between Landlord and Tenant(s). Landlord and Tenant agree as follows., -

1. Definitions

"Premises" means the dwelling unit and any furnishings, parking, storage, or appurtenances identified in Section 2. "Rent" means all amounts payable under this Agreement. "Lease Term" means the period in Section 3. Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa. "Security Deposit" has the meaning in Section 6.

2. Premises; Parking; Storage; Furnishings

Landlord leases to Tenant the residential premises at [[Property Address]] (the "Premises"). Assigned parking: [[Parking Space(s)]]. Storage: [[Storage Area]]. Furnishings/appliances included: [[Furnishings and Appliances]]. Tenant has examined the Premises and accepts it in its current condition except as noted on the Move-In Inventory & Condition Checklist (Exhibit A). The Premises shall be used as a private residence only.

3. Term; Possession

The Lease Term is [[Lease Term Length]], beginning [[Lease Start Date]] (the move-in date) and ending [[Lease End Date]]. If Landlord cannot deliver possession at the start date, Rent abates until possession is delivered, and if delivery is delayed more than [[Possession Delay Cap]], Tenant may terminate and receive a full refund of prepaid amounts. Holding over is governed by Section 27.

If the Term exceeds one (1) year, this Agreement shall be in writing as required under Arkansas law.

4. Rent; Payment

Tenant shall pay monthly Rent of [[Monthly Rent]], due in advance on the [[Rent Due Day]] of each month without offset, deduction, or demand, payable to Landlord by [[Accepted Payment Methods]] at [[Rent Payment Address or Account]]. If the Term begins on a day other than the first, the first month's Rent is prorated on a 30-day basis. Acceptance of a partial or late payment is not a waiver of any default or of Landlord's rights, and does not reinstate the tenancy after a notice has been served.

5. Late Charges; Returned Payments

Rent is late if not received within [[Grace Period (days)]] after the due date, in which case Tenant shall pay a late charge of [[Late Fee]]. Any late charge must be a reasonable estimate of the actual loss Landlord incurs. A fee of [[Returned Payment Fee]] applies to any returned or dishonored payment.

6. Security Deposit

Upon signing, Tenant shall pay a security deposit of [[Security Deposit Amount]]. Under Arkansas law (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-304), for landlords who rent six (6) or more dwelling units, the security deposit may not exceed two (2) months' rent. The deposit secures Tenant's performance and may be applied to unpaid Rent, repair of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and cleaning to restore the move-in condition.

Landlord shall return the security deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions within sixty (60) days after the termination of the tenancy and Tenant's vacating of the Premises. If deductions are made, Landlord shall provide a written, itemized list of the charges withheld together with any remaining balance. Tenant may not apply the deposit as last month's rent.

1. The security deposit shall be held in accordance with Arkansas law.
2. No interest is required to be paid on the deposit unless otherwise agreed in writing.
3. Landlord shall provide Tenant with the name and address of the financial institution holding the deposit upon request (if applicable).

7. Utilities; Services

Tenant shall pay for [[Tenant-Paid Utilities]]; Landlord shall pay for [[Landlord-Paid Utilities]]. Tenant shall place tenant-paid utilities in Tenant's name effective on the start date and shall not allow service to lapse. Landlord is not liable for any interruption of utilities or services not within Landlord's reasonable control.

8. Occupants; Guests

The Premises shall be occupied only by Tenant and: [[Permitted Additional Occupants]]. A guest staying more than [[Guest Stay Limit]] without Landlord's prior written consent may be treated as an unauthorized occupant and a breach of this Agreement.

9. Use; Conduct; Quiet Enjoyment

Tenant shall use the Premises lawfully, shall not create a nuisance or disturb neighbors' quiet enjoyment, and shall not conduct any business that violates law or zoning. Tenant shall comply with all applicable laws and the Rules in Section 21.

10. Pets; Assistance Animals

Pet policy: [[Pet Policy]]. No animal is permitted without Landlord's prior written consent except an assistance animal that must be permitted by law. Tenant is responsible for any damage, noise, or injury caused by an animal.

11. Smoking

Smoking policy: [[Smoking Policy]]. Tenant is responsible for any damage caused by smoking.

12. Parking; Vehicles

Only operable, registered vehicles may be parked in assigned spaces. Inoperable vehicles, unauthorized vehicles, or vehicles blocking access may be towed at the owner's expense after any notice required by law: [[Parking and Towing Rules]].

13. Maintenance, Landlord

Landlord shall maintain the Premises in a habitable condition, comply with applicable building and housing codes, and keep the structural elements, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling, and Landlord-provided appliances in good and safe working order.

14. Maintenance, Tenant

Tenant shall keep the Premises clean, sanitary, and free of hazards; properly use all systems and appliances; replace HVAC filters, light bulbs, and smoke/CO-detector batteries; keep plumbing clear; maintain any yard as agreed ([[Yard/Pest Responsibility]]); and promptly report needed repairs. Tenant shall pay for repair of damage caused by Tenant's, occupants', or guests' misuse or neglect.

15. Repair Requests; Emergencies

Routine repair requests shall be made in writing to [[Repair Contact]]. For emergencies threatening life or property, Tenant shall use [[Emergency Contact/Procedure]]. Landlord shall make required repairs within a reasonable time after notice.

16. Alterations; Fixtures; Locks

Tenant shall not paint, alter, install fixtures or satellite equipment, or change or add locks without Landlord's prior written consent. Tenant-installed improvements become Landlord's property unless agreed otherwise. Tenant shall not change locks without giving Landlord a key.

17. Landlord's Right of Entry

Landlord may enter the Premises to inspect, make repairs or improvements, supply services, or show the Premises to prospective tenants, purchasers, lenders, or contractors. Except in cases of emergency, Landlord shall provide reasonable notice prior to entry. Twenty-four (24) hours' written notice during normal business hours is the standard practice in Arkansas. Landlord shall not abuse the right of entry to harass Tenant.

1. Entry is permitted at reasonable times with reasonable notice.
2. In an emergency threatening life, health, or property, Landlord may enter without notice.
3. Tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to Landlord's lawful entry.

18. Renter's Insurance; Waiver of Subrogation

Tenant shall maintain renter's insurance with personal-liability coverage of at least [[Renter's Insurance Minimum]] for the Term and provide proof on request. Each party waives subrogation against the other to the extent of insurance proceeds. Landlord's insurance does not cover Tenant's personal property or liability.

19. Liability; Indemnity

Except to the extent caused by Landlord's negligence or violation of law, Tenant assumes responsibility for, and shall indemnify Landlord against, claims arising from Tenant's use of the Premises or the acts of Tenant's occupants and guests.

20. Assignment; Subletting

Tenant shall not assign this Agreement or sublet all or part of the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent. Consent may be withheld for any lawful reason or conditioned on execution of a sublease agreement in form acceptable to Landlord. Any sublease shall not release Tenant from liability to Landlord.

21. Rules and Regulations; HOA/Condo

Tenant shall comply with Landlord's written Rules (Exhibit B) and any applicable homeowners'/condominium association rules: [[HOA/Condo Rules]]. Landlord may adopt reasonable Rules on notice.

22. Damage or Destruction (Casualty)

If the Premises is damaged by fire or casualty not caused by Tenant and is rendered uninhabitable, Rent abates for the affected portion, and either party may terminate if the Premises cannot reasonably be repaired within [[Casualty Repair Period]].

23. Condemnation; Eminent Domain

If all or a material part of the Premises is taken by eminent domain, this Agreement terminates as to the part taken as of the date possession is required, and Rent is adjusted accordingly. The condemnation award belongs to Landlord, except Tenant may pursue a separate claim for moving costs if allowed by law.

24. Default; Remedies

Tenant is in default if Tenant fails to pay Rent when due or breaches any other term and fails to cure within any period required by law or this Agreement. On default, Landlord may serve appropriate notice as required by the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and may pursue all remedies available by law, including recovering possession, unpaid Rent, damages, and costs. Landlord shall not engage in self-help eviction (lockouts or utility shut-offs). After termination, Tenant remains liable for Rent for the balance of the Term, subject to Landlord's duty to take reasonable steps to re-rent.

1. Landlord shall provide written notice specifying the default and any cure period.
2. Tenant shall have the opportunity to cure monetary defaults as provided by Arkansas law.
3. Non-monetary defaults shall be cured within the time stated in the notice or as required by law.

25. Abandonment; Personal Property

If Tenant abandons the Premises, Landlord may retake possession and dispose of personal property left behind only as permitted by applicable Arkansas law after any required notice.

26. Bankruptcy; Insolvency

Tenant's bankruptcy or insolvency does not give Tenant any right to retain possession contrary to this Agreement, to the extent permitted by law.

27. Holdover

If Tenant remains in possession after the Term without Landlord's written consent, Tenant is a holdover and shall pay holdover use and occupancy of [[Holdover Rate]] and is liable for resulting damages. With Landlord's consent and no new agreement, the tenancy becomes month-to-month on the same terms.

28. Surrender; Move-Out

At the end of the tenancy Tenant shall remove all personal property, return all keys and access devices, leave the Premises clean and in the move-in condition (ordinary wear excepted), and provide a written forwarding address for the deposit accounting.

29. Notices

Notices to Tenant may be delivered to the Premises; notices to Landlord shall be sent to [[Landlord Notice Address]]. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, the terminating party shall give written notice of thirty (30) days (or one full rental period, whichever is required under the lease or Arkansas practice).

1. Notice shall be in writing.
2. Proper methods of service include personal delivery, certified mail, or as otherwise permitted by Arkansas law.
3. Rent remains due during any notice period.

30. Subordination; Estoppel; Attornment

This Agreement is subordinate to any present or future mortgage on the Premises. Tenant shall, within ten days of request, sign a commercially reasonable estoppel certificate and attorn to any successor owner or lender.

31. Waiver; Non-Waiver

No delay or failure to enforce any term is a waiver. A waiver of one breach is not a waiver of any other.

32. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions remain in full force.

33. Time of Essence

Time is of the essence as to all obligations under this Agreement.

34. Entire Agreement; Amendments; Electronic Signature

This Agreement, with the Addenda and Exhibits, is the entire agreement and supersedes prior negotiations. It may be modified only in a writing signed by both parties, may be executed in counterparts, and may be signed electronically.

35. Joint and Several Liability

Each person signing as Tenant is jointly and severally liable for all obligations under this Agreement.

36. Attorneys' Fees; Costs

In any action to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party may recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as permitted by applicable Arkansas law.

37. Governing Law; Venue

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Arkansas, and venue lies in the county where the Premises is located.

38. Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

A Tenant who is a service member may terminate this Agreement upon entering military service or receiving qualifying orders, on written notice with a copy of the orders, as provided by the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and any applicable Arkansas law.

39. Disclosures

• Lead-Based Paint. If the Premises was built before 1978, the federal lead disclosure and EPA pamphlet are provided as an addendum.
• Security Deposit. Governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-304 (applicable to landlords with six or more units); deposit returned within 60 days with itemized deductions.
• Entry. Landlord entry requires reasonable notice (24-hour standard practice) except in emergencies.
• Month-to-Month Termination. Thirty (30) days' written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy.
• Megan's Law / Registered Offenders. Information about registered sex offenders is available to the public through appropriate Arkansas and federal databases.
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms. Working smoke alarms (and CO alarms where required by law or code) are installed. Tenant shall test and maintain batteries as required.
• Other Disclosures. [[Any additional required or agreed disclosures, e.g., flood zone, known defects, methamphetamine contamination if applicable]]

40. Addenda and Exhibits

The following are attached and incorporated: Exhibit A Move-In Inventory & Condition Checklist; Exhibit B Rules & Regulations; Exhibit C Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (if pre-1978); Exhibit D Additional Addenda: [[Additional Addenda]].

41. Signatures

LANDLORD, [[Landlord Name]]

By: ______________________ Name/Title: **[[Landlord Signatory Name and Title]]** Date: _________

TENANT

______________________ **[[Tenant Name(s)]]** Date: _________, -

*Template, not professional legal advice. This form is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or real estate advice. Arkansas residential leases are governed by the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and related statutes. Security deposit rules (max two months' rent for covered landlords, 60-day return) are set forth in Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-304. Consult a licensed Arkansas attorney for specific situations. Statutes and practices referenced as of June 2026; verify current law before use.*

*Key sources: Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-304 (security deposits); Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-101 et seq. (Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007, as amended, unlawful detainer, notices, habitability); general Arkansas real property and contract law; standard practices for 24-hour entry notice and 30-day termination of month-to-month tenancies.*