deposit-interest

Security Deposit Interest in Arkansas: No State Requirement (2026)

Arkansas security-deposit law (Security Deposits subchapter, landlords of six or more units) caps deposits at two months' rent and requires retur… Calculator, statute citation, Last Verified date o

Rule verified: 2026-10-28

Quick answer

No — Arkansas law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Arkansas security-deposit law (Security Deposits subchapter, landlords of six or more units) caps deposits at two months' rent and requires return within 60 days, but contains no requirement to pay interest. The rule comes from Ark. Code Ann. sec. 18-16-701 et seq. (Title 18, Ch. 16 - Security Deposits). State statute (official text) · 2026-10-28

Calculator pre-loaded with this state:

State pre-filled: Arkansas — rule applied per Ark. Code Ann. sec. 18-16-701 et seq. (Title 18, Ch. 16 - Security Deposits). Switch the state if your property is elsewhere.

StateSecurity deposit ($)Tenancy startTenancy end

What Arkansas law does — and does not — require

Arkansas has no statewide statute requiring interest on security deposits. Arkansas security-deposit law (Security Deposits subchapter, landlords of six or more units) caps deposits at two months' rent and requires return within 60 days, but contains no requirement to pay interest.

The statute that governs deposits in Arkansas, Ark. Code Ann. sec. 18-16-701 et seq. (Title 18, Ch. 16 - Security Deposits), covers how and when the deposit itself must be returned — it simply does not mandate interest on top.

How interest must be paid

Not applicable; no interest requirement. Not applicable; deposit due back within 60 days after tenant vacates (with written itemized list of any withheld charges).

Who the law applies to

The deposit statute applies only to landlords who rent six or more dwellings; cap = two months' rent (smaller landlords are outside the statute); return within 60 days with itemized deductions.

Cities in Arkansas that require interest

No city-level deposit-interest requirement found (Little Rock and other cities rely on the state statute).

States that do require deposit interest

Arkansas has no statewide requirement. If you are moving or own rentals across state lines, these states do — each rate is the statutory value verified on the state page:

State	Statutory rate
Massachusetts	5% per annum, or the lesser amount of interest actually received from
Ohio	5% per annum
Maryland	greater of 1.5%/year or U.S. Treasury 1-year yield curve rate (leases
Minnesota	1% per annum
New York	Interest actually accrued/paid on the deposit in the interest-bearing

The statute behind it

| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | Ark. Code Ann. sec. 18-16-701 et seq. (Title 18, Ch. 16 - Security Deposits) | | Official text | arkansasag.gov | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |

Cross-checked against: Justia - Arkansas Code Title 18 Ch. 16 Security Deposits (subchapter located via search; sec. 18-16-701 et seq.), Arkansas Legislature - Act 364 of 2013 (amendment to the Title 18 Ch. 16 security deposit subchapter, official act PDF referenced via search).

Statutes get amended. If you are relying on this page — for a move-out, a dispute, or a lease draft — click through to the official text and confirm the current wording.

FAQ

Does Arkansas require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?

No. Arkansas law does not mandate interest; whatever the lease says governs. No city-level deposit-interest requirement found (Little Rock and other cities rely on the state statute).

How is deposit interest calculated in Arkansas?

Arkansas security-deposit law (Security Deposits subchapter, landlords of six or more units) caps deposits at two months' rent and requires return within 60 days, but contains no requirement to pay interest. The calculator at the top of this page reflects Arkansas's rules where a numeric value exists.

When do I get the interest?

Not applicable; deposit due back within 60 days after tenant vacates (with written itemized list of any withheld charges).

Can my lease require the landlord to pay interest anyway?

Yes — a lease can always give you more than state law requires, never less. If your Arkansas lease promises interest, that promise is enforceable as a contract even though no statute mandates it.

Independent second source · 2026-10-28