An Arkansas Rental Application helps property owners and landlords vet prospective tenants. Gathering information from many applicants through a thorough screening process is essential in finding reliable and trustworthy tenants.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable, even if the applicant is denied
- Fee Limits – No limits
- Security Deposit – No limit on the amount that landlords can demand, except for when they own more than five properties – max. two months’ rent (§ 18-16-304 & § 18-16-303)
State Laws
Application Fees
While there are no state statute limits on the amount of money a property owner can charge for the processing, the fees should still be reasonable and comparable to the costs of background checks.
Security Deposits
There are several state-specific rules governing security deposits [1] :
- A security deposit may be up to two months’ rent if the landlord rents six or more properties in the state.
- A property owner with fewer than six rental properties who doesn’t employ a property manager to handle leasing or collect rent may charge a “reasonable” security deposit.
- There is no requirement for a landlord to provide a tenant with a receipt for any fees or rent paid to them, but it is best practice to do so.
- Some states have laws governing how landlords must hold security deposits to ensure that the deposit is always available for repayment. Arkansas does not have regulations regarding this.
Pet Deposits
Pet deposits are a common component of the security deposit. Arkansas doesn’t have any state-specific laws governing pet deposits. However, under the Federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability, a landlord cannot charge a pet deposit or fee where the animal in question is a service animal. [2]
Other resources:
How to Conduct an Eviction Record Search
The Arkansas Judiciary allows anyone access to court records about past legal actions against a renter, including failure to pay rent or to vacate a property after proper written notice [3] . Click “CourtConnect” and search by the applicant’s first and last name.
If you find a reason to disqualify a potential renter from your property, you should send a rejection letter, although Arkansas doesn’t require it.
Sample
