For landlords covered by the subchapter.
Act 559 changed the prior 30-day period to 60 days.
But not when management/rent collection is performed by a third party for a fee.
Subject to the good-faith/error limitation in § 18-16-306.
What to preserve
- Lease and security-deposit receipt.
- Who owns the property and how many covered units are owned.
- Whether a third-party property manager collects rent or manages the unit for a fee.
- Tenancy termination and possession-return dates.
- Itemized written notice and refund.
- Mailing envelope, address and delivery records.
Why coverage comes first in Arkansas
Arkansas has a statutory exemption for certain small individual/family ownership structures with five or fewer dwelling units, but the exemption does not apply when management, including rent collection, is performed by third persons for a fee. A property-management-company rental can therefore require a different coverage analysis than a self-managed small landlord.
Official sources
Official bill/act history for the statute establishing Arkansas Code §§ 18-16-301 through 18-16-306, including the cap, exemption and remedies.
Arkansas General AssemblyAct 559 of 2009 — Security Deposit Amendments ↗Official act that changed the deposit return/itemization period in § 18-16-305 to 60 days and clarified that § 18-16-301 et seq. governs security deposits.
Arkansas General AssemblyArkansas Law — Arkansas Code and Constitution ↗Official Arkansas General Assembly portal for the current Arkansas Code.