Arkansas · AR

Demand letters in Arkansas.

In Arkansas, landlords must return a deposit within 60 days, and the Small Claims Division (District Court) hears claims up to $5,000. Here's the law you need — and a generator that cites it for you.

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By The Demand Letter Kit Team Sourced from official statutesUpdated June 1, 2026

Arkansas demand letter facts at a glance

Deposit return deadline

60 days

Small claims limit

$5,000

Filing fee

Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional

Written-contract SOL

5 years

Personal-injury SOL

3 years

Legal/judgment interest

10% per year (post-judgment); contracts may carry the agreed rate up to the usury cap.

Security deposit demand letters in Arkansas

If your former landlord is holding your deposit, Arkansas law is on your side. A landlord must return your security deposit within 60 days, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. A landlord acting in bad faith may be liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus costs.

Governing statute: Ark. Code § 18-16-305 · read it

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Statutes of limitation in Arkansas

A demand letter doesn't pause the clock — you must file suit within these windows:

Written contracts 5 years
Oral contracts 3 years
Personal injury 3 years
Property damage 3 years

Small claims court in Arkansas

The relevant court is Small Claims Division (District Court). Limit: $5,000. Filing fee information: Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional. A dollar limit alone does not establish eligibility; check the court’s claim, venue and service requirements.

Read the limit source

Small-claims limit source checked: 2026-09-29. This date does not apply to the other laws on this page.

How Arkansas compares

The same dispute is worth pursuing in one state and barely worth the paperwork in another. Here is where Arkansas actually sits.

  • Small Claims Division (District Court) in Arkansas: $5,000. Filing fee information: Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional. Limits are not directly comparable across states because court, plaintiff and claim-specific rules differ.

  • Patience is required in Arkansas: a landlord gets 60 days, 30 days beyond the 30-day median and 1st most generous to landlords of the 51. Writing before that window closes weakens the letter, because nothing has been breached yet. Miss it and Arkansas exposes the landlord to up to 2× the amount withheld, which is the figure to quote in the letter.

  • Do not sit on it. Arkansas allows only 5 years to sue on a written contract — 1 year shorter than the 6-year median for written contracts, and 34th longest of the 51. Oral agreements expire sooner still, at 3 years, and a demand letter does not pause either clock.

Worth putting a number on: withhold $1,500 wrongly in Arkansas and the exposure reaches $3,000 once the 2× penalty applies, still inside what Small Claims Division (District Court) can award. A landlord reading your letter is weighing that figure, not the deposit.

Good to know in Arkansas

Arkansas has long been considered landlord-friendly, and the deposit statute reflects that with a 60-day return window and an exemption for landlords who own five or fewer units. The small claims limit is $5,000 in the District Court’s Small Claims Division. Because the deposit rules offer thinner tenant protection than most states, a firm demand letter citing Ark. Code § 18-16-305 and your itemized move-out condition is especially important before escalating.

Common demand letters in Arkansas

Each generator automatically applies Arkansas law where it matters.

Security Deposit Demand Letter

A formal letter demanding the return of your security deposit, citing your move-out date and your state’s legal deadline.

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Unpaid Invoice Demand Letter

A firm final notice that tells a non-paying client exactly what they owe, by when, and what happens if they ignore it.

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Demand Letter to a Contractor

A formal letter demanding a contractor finish the work, fix defective work, or refund your money under your agreement.

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Debt Collection Demand Letter

A formal letter demanding repayment of money you are owed on a personal loan, IOU, or other unpaid debt.

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Landlord Demand Letter to Tenant

A formal letter from a landlord demanding a tenant pay unpaid rent, repair damage, or cure a lease violation.

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Property Damage Demand Letter

A formal letter demanding payment from whoever damaged your property, backed by repair estimates and photos.

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Unpaid Wages Demand Letter

A formal letter demanding an employer pay wages, overtime, or a final paycheck you earned and are owed.

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Arkansas demand letter FAQ

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, a landlord generally must return your security deposit within 60 days. A landlord acting in bad faith may be liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus costs. The governing statute is Ark. Code § 18-16-305.
What is the small claims court limit in Arkansas?
Arkansas's Small Claims Division (District Court): $5,000. Filing fee information: Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional. Check the linked source for eligibility, venue and claim-specific exceptions.
How long do I have to sue in Arkansas?
Arkansas's statute of limitations is 5 years for written contracts, 3 years for oral contracts, 3 years for personal injury, and 3 years for property damage. Sending a demand letter does not pause these deadlines, so don't wait too long.
Do I have to send a demand letter before filing in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not always require a demand letter before suing, but sending one is strongly recommended: many courts expect it, it can resolve the dispute without filing, and it documents that you tried to settle in good faith — which helps your case if you do end up in Small Claims Division (District Court).

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