Arkansas Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
Arkansas rules on section 8, records & right to counsel for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No. Arkansas has no statewide ban on refusing tenants who pay with housing vouchers (Section 8) or other lawful income. Source of income is not a protected class under the Arkansas Fair Housing Act. Ark. Code § 16-123-310
The rules in Arkansas
| Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | No. Arkansas has no statewide ban on refusing tenants who pay with housing vouchers (Section 8) or other lawful income. Source of income is not a protected class under the Arkansas Fair Housing Act. Text verified only on the FindLaw mirror (current as of March 28, 2024). The § 16-123-310 page lists race, color, religion, sex, familial status, and national origin, and does not mention source of income, vouchers, or Section 8. Source: Ark. Code § 16-123-310 |
|---|---|
| Right to a lawyer in eviction | No. Arkansas has no statewide right to a lawyer in eviction cases. The eviction subchapter as enacted (Act 1004 of 2007) has no provision for appointing counsel. Its only references to attorneys are fee-shifting rules. |
Related questions
- Can a landlord refuse Section 8?
- Can an eviction be removed from your record?
- Do tenants get a free lawyer for an eviction?
Arkansas vs. neighboring states
| State | Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | Eviction record sealing | Right to a lawyer in eviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | No. Arkansas has no statewide ban on refusing tenants who pay with housing vouchers (Section 8) or other lawful income. Source of income is not a protected class under the Arkansas Fair Housing Act. Ark. Code § 16-123-310 | Not verified yet | No. Arkansas has no statewide right to a lawyer in eviction cases. Ark. Code §§ 18-17-901 to 18-17-913; 18-60-301 et seq. |
| Louisiana | No statute — source of income is not a protected class under Louisiana's fair-housing law. The Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act bars rental discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, military status, natural/protective/cultural hairstyle, and disability, but not source of income or housing vouchers. Check local ordinances. La. R.S. 51:2606(A) | No statute. Louisiana has no law sealing, suppressing, or limiting public access to eviction court records. The eviction articles of the Code of Civil Procedure (arts. 4701-4735) contain no sealing or expungement provision. La. C.C.P. arts. 4701-4705, 4731-4735 (checked) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases was found in the Code of Civil Procedure eviction title. La. C.C.P. arts. 4701-4735 (checked in part) |
| Mississippi | Not verified yet | Not verified yet | Not verified yet |
| Missouri | No. Missouri has no statewide ban on refusing voucher holders. Since 28 Aug 2025, cities and counties (including charter governments) are also barred from enacting, keeping, or enforcing ordinances that stop landlords from refusing tenants whose rent is paid partly with federal or other housing assistance. Local ordinances protecting recipients of veterans' benefits remain allowed. RSMo 441.043.2(1), .4 (as amended by L. 2025 H.B. 595 & 343) | No statute found. No section of RSMo Chapters 441, 534 or 535 provides for sealing, masking, or expunging eviction court records. RSMo Ch. 441, 534, 535 (section lists reviewed) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases found. RSMo Ch. 441, 534, 535 (no counsel provision) |
| Oklahoma | No. Oklahoma's fair housing law protects race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, familial status, and disability. It does not cover source of income or voucher use. 25 O.S. § 1452(A) | No statute. Oklahoma's forcible entry and detainer statutes have no provision for sealing or expunging eviction records. 12 O.S. §§ 1148.1-1148.16 (no sealing provision) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. 12 O.S. §§ 1148.1-1148.16; 41 O.S. §§ 101-136 (no counsel provision) |
| Tennessee | No. The Tennessee Human Rights Act's housing provision covers race, color, creed, religion, sex, disability, familial status and national origin, but not source of income or vouchers. T.C.A. 4-21-601(a) | No statute. Tennessee has no law sealing or expunging eviction (detainer) records. A 2026 bill to make dismissed unlawful detainer cases confidential (HB1940/SB2016) failed in House subcommittee on March 18, 2026 and was not enacted. 2026 HB1940 / SB2016 (not enacted) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. T.C.A. Title 29, Chapter 18; Title 66, Chapters 7 and 28 |
| Texas | No. There is no statewide source-of-income protection, and cities and counties are barred from adopting ordinances that prohibit refusing a tenant because the tenant's income includes federal housing assistance (e.g., Section 8 vouchers). Local protections for veterans' income and voluntary voucher-incentive programs are still allowed. Tex. Local Gov't Code Sec. 250.007 | Not verified yet | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. In justice court, parties may represent themselves or be represented by authorized agents who need not be attorneys. Tex. Prop. Code ch. 24; Sec. 24.011 |
City rules that may add to state law
More Arkansas rental law
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- Free legal help in Arkansas
Compare section 8, records & right to counsel in all 50 states and DC →
Arkansas Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel FAQ
Is it illegal for a landlord to refuse Section 8 vouchers in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas has no statewide ban on refusing tenants who pay with housing vouchers (Section 8) or other lawful income. Source of income is not a protected class under the Arkansas Fair Housing Act. (Ark. Code § 16-123-310)
Do tenants have a right to a free lawyer in eviction cases in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas has no statewide right to a lawyer in eviction cases. (Ark. Code §§ 18-17-901 to 18-17-913; 18-60-301 et seq.)
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.