Quick answer: An Arkansas landlord covered by the deposit subchapter may not demand or receive a security deposit, however named, above two months’ periodic rent. Owners of five or fewer units who manage them themselves are exempt.
This Arkansas security deposit limit calculator applies Ark. Code 18-16-304 and the exemption in 18-16-303. Enter the monthly rent and the total the landlord asks for as a deposit, including any pet deposit: it shows the two-month limit and how far the total goes above it.
Arkansas security deposit limit rules at a glance
| Rule | What Arkansas says |
|---|---|
| Limit | No security deposit, however denominated, above two months’ periodic rent (Ark. Code 18-16-304) |
| Who is exempt | Owners of five or fewer units who manage them without a paid third party (18-16-303) |
| Pets | No separate pet rule in these sections; a pet deposit is a deposit and counts toward the two months |
| Return | 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered (18-16-305) |
| If the landlord fails to comply | Two times the amount wrongfully withheld, costs and reasonable attorney’s fees (18-16-306) |
| Interest | The sections we read do not mention interest or a separate account |
| Rent definition | All payments to be made to the landlord under the rental agreement (18-16-301) |
| Successor landlord | The holder of the landlord’s interest at termination is bound (18-16-302) |
How does the Arkansas deposit limit work?
- The two-month ceiling. See the maximum security deposit in Arkansas.
- Pet deposits and fees. See Arkansas pet deposits and fees.
- Prepaid rent and other up-front charges. See last month’s rent and other up-front charges in Arkansas.
What does this deposit limit calculator check?
The calculator multiplies the monthly rent by two and compares the result with the total you enter, treating every deposit as one amount because the statute covers a deposit “however denominated.” It treats the small-landlord exemption as a yes-or-no question. It does not decide whether a payment is a fee rather than a deposit, which the statute does not address. After a deposit is paid, the next question is when it must come back: see the Arkansas security deposit return deadline calculator.
Examples of the Arkansas two-month limit
| Monthly rent | Limit | Asked | Above the limit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $800 | $1,600 | $1,600 | $0 | Within the limit |
| $900 | $1,800 | $2,000 | $200 | Above the limit |
| $1,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 deposit plus $500 pet deposit | $0 | Within the limit: the pet deposit counts toward the total |
These examples show the arithmetic. They are not statements about a particular lease or landlord.
Related Arkansas landlord-tenant calculators
These four calculators cover the same tenancy from different angles. From here you can go to the Arkansas security deposit return deadline calculator for the date the landlord must refund or itemize the deposit, the Arkansas eviction notice calculator for the notice period before a lease can end and the Arkansas eviction timeline calculator for the earliest legal dates once an eviction case starts. Each one cites its own Arkansas statutes and shows only what the law says.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum security deposit in Arkansas?
Two months’ periodic rent, however the deposit is named, for a landlord covered by the deposit subchapter.
Does the limit include a pet deposit?
The statute has no separate pet allowance and covers a deposit however denominated, so a pet deposit counts toward the two months.
Does the two-month limit apply to every Arkansas landlord?
No. It does not apply to units owned by an individual who, with family and related entities, owns five or fewer dwelling units, unless a third person manages them for a fee.
When must the landlord return the deposit?
Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession.
What if the landlord asks for more than the limit?
Ask in writing what each amount is for and talk to a licensed Arkansas attorney. The remedies in 18-16-306 concern the return of the deposit.
Does Arkansas require interest on deposits?
The deposit sections we read do not mention interest.