Arkansas Eviction Grounds Under State Law

Arkansas Code 18-17-901 sets the exclusive grounds for residential evictions statewide under the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Permitted grounds include nonpayment of rent (after a five-day notice), material lease violations, conduct that materially affects health and safety, illegal activity on the premises, and holdover after lease expiration. For nonpayment the landlord must provide unconditional notice to quit after five days unpaid. Curable lease violations require a 14-day notice to remedy. Month-to-month tenancies may be terminated without cause on 30 days' written notice. Arkansas does not require just-cause for nonrenewal of expired leases, and no Arkansas city has authority to impose stricter just-cause-eviction rules.

Evictions filed without statutory grounds or required notice periods can be dismissed. Landlords using self-help (lockouts, utility shutoffs) face civil liability under state law.