Arkansas Security Deposit Demand Letter
A free Arkansas security deposit demand letter that follows Arkansas law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.
What Arkansas law says
| Deposit return deadline | Within 60 days after the tenant moves out. Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-305 |
|---|---|
| Itemized deductions | The landlord may deduct unpaid rent and the cost of repairing damage. Any deductions require a written, itemized list delivered to the tenant within 60 days of vacating. Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-305 |
| Penalty for withholding | If the landlord fails to comply with the deposit subchapter, the tenant may recover the property and money due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. If the landlord proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the failure came from an error despite reasonable procedures to avoid it, or from a good-faith dispute over the amount due, the landlord owes only costs and the amount wrongly withheld. Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-306 |
| Wear and tear / move-out charges | Arkansas statutes do not define normal wear and tear. A landlord may keep deposit money only for accrued unpaid rent and damages caused by the tenant's noncompliance with the rental agreement, itemized in a written notice within 60 days. Tenants must not deliberately or negligently damage the premises or let guests do so. |
Fill in your letter
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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]
From: [your name], former tenant at [rental address]
I moved out and returned the keys on [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[deposit amount]. I gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date you gave your address].
Under Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-305, a landlord must return the deposit, or send an itemized list of lawful deductions, by the deadline set in that law. I have not received [the deposit / an itemized list].
Please send $[amount owed] to [forwarding address] within [number] days of this letter.
If I do not receive it, I plan to file a claim in small claims court and ask for any additional amount allowed by Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-306.
Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________
How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.
Security Deposit Demand Letter templates for other states · All Arkansas landlord-tenant rules · Free legal help in Arkansas
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.