Facing Eviction in Arkansas: What Can I Do?
This page covers eviction notices, the court case, objecting to court papers, and the hearing. It also covers the criminal charge for staying after written notice to leave.
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In Arkansas, not paying rent, or paying it late, for any reason, is grounds for eviction. A landlord may take a renter to court in a civil case called "unlawful detainer" (the legal name for this kind of eviction case).
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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In an unlawful detainer case (the civil eviction case), the Attorney General says your landlord must give 3 days' written notice to vacate (move out). If you do not leave, the landlord can sue you in court.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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A landlord in Arkansas may give notice to end a lease for any reason. For an oral lease (a lease that is not in writing), the landlord must give 1 rental period's notice. For a written lease, the notice must follow the terms of the lease.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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After you receive a summons (court papers telling you to appear), you have 5 days to object in writing to the eviction. File the objection with the clerk of the court where the eviction case was filed. You should send a copy to the landlord's lawyer.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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You have 5 days to file a written objection to the landlord's claim for possession. The count leaves out Sundays and legal holidays. The count starts when you are served the court papers. The papers are the summons, the complaint (the landlord's court filing), and a notice seeking a writ of possession (a court order to remove you). Continue to pay rent towards the court registry if you continue to live in the dwelling so no further legal action can be taken against you.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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If you file no written objection in time, the clerk must immediately issue a writ of possession (a court order for the sheriff). The sheriff can then remove you and give the home to the landlord.
Arkansas Attorney General (Landlord And Tenant Rights page, undated) Landlord and Tenant Rights, Evictions Arkansas General Assembly, Act 1052 of 2021 (as engrossed, approved 4/29/21) A.C.A. § 18-60-307(b)✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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If you file a written objection within 5 days, your landlord must get a hearing date. The landlord must mail notice of the date, time and place by certified mail to you or to your lawyer.
Arkansas Attorney General (Landlord And Tenant Rights page, undated) Landlord and Tenant Rights, Evictions Arkansas General Assembly, Act 1052 of 2021 (as engrossed, approved 4/29/21) A.C.A. § 18-60-307(c)(1)✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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A landlord can ask for an immediate writ of possession (a court order to remove you). If the court holds a hearing on that demand, the landlord must present evidence. The evidence must be sufficient to make a prima facie case (a first showing of proof) of a right to possession. You may present evidence to answer it.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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A court can order the clerk to issue a writ of possession (a court order to remove you). It can do so if it decides on all the evidence that the landlord is likely to succeed at a full hearing. That order is not the final decision on the parties' rights. To keep the home, you can ask the court. The court may allow you to stay, for good cause. You can stay only if you give adequate security (set by the court) within 5 days after the writ of possession (the removal order) issues. The security must be at least the unpaid rent plus rent that comes due while you stay.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Staying after notice can be a crime in Arkansas. A landlord may give a tenant 10 days' written notice to leave. After that notice, a tenant who willfully (on purpose) refuses to leave and give up the home is guilty of a misdemeanor (a lesser crime).
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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A tenant who stays on purpose and without need after the notice to leave ends commits a separate offense (a separate crime) each day.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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In Arkansas, a tenant found guilty of willfully refusing to vacate (leave) after 10 days' written notice is fined $1 to $25 for each offense. The case is heard in a court in the county where the home is.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Keep the eviction notice and all court papers. Write down the date you got each one.
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